Bessie Carter 'doesn't care' she's accused of being a nepo baby
Bessie Carter doesn't consider herself to be a 'nepo baby'.
The 31-year-old actress - who is the daughter of actors Dame Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter - has brushed off suggestions that she's a so-called 'nepo baby', insisting she's not used her parents' fame and success to further her career.
Speaking to The Independent, Bessie explained: "I have a lot of drive to make stuff happen myself, instead of waiting for the phone to ring."
The actress - who plays Prudence Featherington on the hit Netflix series 'Bridgerton' - insists that she's worked hard for her success.
She reflected: "Some people might use that phrase (nepo baby), but I don't really care. I believe in myself and my trajectory being what it is, and I've never used my parents, ever, to get any work."
Despite this, Bessie still enjoys working in the same industry as her mother.
She said: "It's really nice when I'm in hair and makeup and the makeup artist says, 'I worked with your mum.' Who wouldn't like that?"
Imelda has enjoyed a hugely successful career, starring on stage and screen for decades. But Bessie only became truly aware of her mother's success when she was cast in the 'Harry Potter' film franchise.
The actress shared: "Like most children, I grew up reading them and going to the bookshops at midnight, so that was quite exciting."
Meanwhile, Bessie believes the timing of 'Bridgerton's release was one of the keys to its success.
The hit TV show - which is set during the Regency era in England - was released in December 2020, following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bessie noted that fans were quick to attach themselves to the programme.
The actress - who has starred on the show alongside the likes of Jonathan Bailey and Nicola Coughlan - told the BBC: "It was December 2020, and I believe the world was ready to escape into something that was joyous, hopeful, and had a happy ending. And so ... that's the honest answer.
"I just think it was a delightful thing to look at, and hopefully a bit funny and a bit romantic."
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Man of Many
8 hours ago
- Man of Many
Charlie Vickers on ‘The Survivors', Building Character and Coming Home
By Dean Blake - News Published: 6 June 2025 |Last Updated: 4 June 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 10 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Charlie Vickers is on the rise. After an impressively devilish rendition of Middle-Earth's Sauron in Rings of Power, the Aussie actor is returning home to star in Netflix's The Survivors: an adaptation of Jane Harper's novel of the same name that focuses on the small, coastal town of Evelyn Bay and a series of deaths that echo through the years. In some ways, The Survivors was a particularly personal project for Vickers, who saw his own echoes in the show—a big-town man returning to his small-town roots—and who connected with the inherent Australianness of it all. Since studying acting at the College of Speech and Drama in London, Vickers has been largely living overseas, and the opportunity to return home, especially for a script he felt excited by, was too good to pass up. We caught up with Vickers ahead of The Survivors launch on Netflix on 6 June to talk though what drew him to the project, how he got started in acting, and what it was like coming back to Australia. Charlie Vickers in 'The Survivors' | Image: Netflix To start with, I wanted to get an idea of what it was about The Survivors that got you excited. What sold you on being a part of it? I love shows that adapt novels, really. The Survivors is a novel that I hadn't read, but I'd read a few other books by Jane Harper and this just sounded like a really fun adventure to be able to go on. So when I had the opportunity to potentially do it, I thought, 'It's in Tasmania, I grew up in Melbourne, but I'd somehow never been to Tasmania,' and being able to work with a whole bunch of new, amazing people and having Tony in charge of the whole project got me really excited. Also, just being able to be part of an Australian story. It's quintessentially Australian. I live in the UK now so I want to do as many Australian projects as possible, and this was such an enticing opportunity, really. The character of the town, although it's fictional, its kind of its own character in this story, and being able to film so much of it on location got me really excited. I also thought the story was interesting, and the way the script adapted the novel made me quite interested. It's quite cool seeing small-town Australia highlighted—I wanted to ask about that. Was that part of the charm for you? Is that something that reminds you of your childhood in Australia? In a way, it is . There are a huge amount of similarities between Tasmania and Victoria, and I grew up in a small coastal town exactly like . It's funny, the character of Kieran is still quite far away from who I am but he's also returning from a big city, in his case Sydney, to his childhood town, and there was a bit of familiarity there for me. I live overseas in a big city and often find myself coming back to my small, coastal town, and I think my son was about 6 months old when I was filming this, and he has a 4 month old, so there was a lot of 'world's colliding'. Having the opportunity to tell a story set in a coastal town, and you have all the dynamics . I was watching the show with my brother the other day, and he said 'god, some of these characters feel like they could be from our home town', it's crazy. Charlie Vickers in 'The Survivors' | Image: Netflix I wanted to get an idea of what you look for in a role? There's no shared characteristics of any roles , I often look for something that when I read it I get inspired, or I get excited by the idea of doing it. These roles can be completely different, but the thing they share is that I think I can bring something to the project: it has to ignite my imagination, reading it. Those kinds of jobs are few and far between, that make you excited, and this was one of those jobs. I've played quite a lot of villains in my career so far, but that's just coincidental and because of the material I've been given. How do you find your characters? When you're given a script or a treatment, how do you go about turning those words into action? For me, I try to keep it as simple as possible. I don't properly believe in the idea of 'character'. It's useful to use it in terms of referring to the character of Kieran, for example, but his 'character' is just the sum of a whole bunch of little moments. So I try not to look at things through a wide-angle lens, you know? And sometimes I watch the final product of things and find that 'oh wow, he's an entirely different person to how I had imagined him', because I tend to approach it from a moment to moment basis, and react to the circumstances he's in, and try to play to each moment truthfully, and then that paints a bigger picture of this character's life during the time period on screen. The only thing you have to be mindful of, I guess, is to think of the journey of the character throughout the show, but the specificity of each moment we see creates the 'character', I think. Charlie Vickers in 'The Survivors' | Image: Netflix Beyond being able to come back to Australia, what was the highlight of the filming process for The Survivors? There were so many. I loved being able to be in a really special place, Tasmania, that I'd never been to, with a whole bunch of amazing actors and creatives. To be able to work with these people made it an amazing experience: Actors that I've watched since I was a kid on screen. People like Damien or Robyn or Catherine and then there's this whole other amazing generation of actors like Yerin , Jess , Thom and George , and I think that's what I really love about projects. I've been really fortunate in my career in that you can just kind of go somewhere for six months and work on something and be fully immersed in the world of whatever you're doing, and then you get to move on and some of the relationships endure. That's the lasting memory of working in Tasmania : the combination of the location and the people. It was probably really good to have that filming location be somewhere you'd never been but also being very familiar in a way. Exactly, I don't know why I'd never been to Tasmania, but it really does feel different. There's an atmospheric quality to that place that is inherent, just when you're walking around. The energy there can be heavy, and I'm sure that's what Jane was trying to tap into when she wrote the novel. You mentioned earlier that you've enjoyed doing adaptations of novels, and you've done quite a few of them at this point: is there any book adaptations that you'd love to work on? I love Tim Winton's novels, and I read The Shepherds Hut recently, and also The Riders, and Eyrie, which is about a retired climate worker that lives in Freemantle, and I just think his stories are so evocatively written and I'd love to be a part of an adaptation of one of those novels on screen. I think they're pretty rarely adapted, though, and the adaptation process to take a novel to screen is often a really complex one. Those novels, when I read them, I really connected to a few of the characters and thought it'd be really cool to be a part of. I love imagining the world, that's part of the amazing thing about reading books. Charlie Vickers in 'The Survivors' | Image: Netflix You've worked in a few genres so far – is there anything you'd want to do that you haven't been given the chance to yet? It's quite a boring answer, but I'm lucky that I've been given the chance to work on bigger productions and smaller productions and things that are in pretty wildly contrasting genres that I don't really have that itch to do anything in particular. I just kind of want to work on stories that are exciting, the genre could be anything, really. If it's something that creatively inspires me, I'd be keen to do it, but there's no particular world I want to jump into anymore: which is nice, it's a nice place to be. How did you get started in acting? I did a lot of plays at school. I remember being in year 12, and I was playing Richard the 3rd in our school production of it, and it was the same year it was being done by the Melbourne Theatre Company, and Ewen Leslie was playing Richard the 3rd, and I remember going to see it and just thinking 'wow, that's so much better than what I'm doing', and thinking 'I'd love to be able to do that one day'. I remember that moment of 'wouldn't it be cool to be an actor', but then I never found it to be an accessible path. I think I was afraid. I knew you could go and audition for drama school, it just didn't seem to be a thing that was in my world, it didn't feel possible to me: getting in to a drama school and then going on to be an actor, so I didn't do it for a few years after school finished. In those intervening years I was studying a music/business degree, and while I loved uni and being around my mates and that whole period of my life, but I was really just treading water. I had no idea what I was doing, and throughout Uni I was doing amateur theatre productions. Melbourne Uni has this amazing theatre called the Union Theatre, so I did a lot of work there. Eventually, I drummed up the courage to do it, and that changed my life. I thought, maybe I should just have a go at trying for a drama school because I really didn't know what I was doing. The school I went to, the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, they come and do audition weekends in Sydney, and I decided I was going to go to it. I flew up and didn't tell anyone because I was afraid of telling people I auditioned and I didn't get in, so I did the audition over a weekend and then found out six weeks later that I'd got in, and then had to decide whether I wanted to uproot my life or did I want to wait until the end of the year and maybe try some of the Australian schools. 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The Advertiser
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At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago.
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- News.com.au
Beloved Harry Potter star reprises iconic role
A familiar wand is being dusted off – and the wizarding world is buzzing. After nearly 15 years away from the role that made him a household name, a beloved Harry Potter star is stepping back into the spotlight – but not in a way fans might expect. Tom Felton, best known for his icy portrayal of Draco Malfoy is officially returning to the franchise – this time on stage, in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The actor, now 37, portrayed the beloved blonde bully in the Harry Potter movies from 2001 until 2011. He shared the exciting news on the US Today show on Thursday morning, saying, 'Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honours of my life. 'Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me, because when I begin performances in Cursed Child this fall, I'll also be the exact age Draco is in the play.' Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, based off a screenplay written by J. K. Rowling, takes place 19 years after the original series ended. First debuting in London's West End in 2016, It follows the children of Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Draco as they head off to Hogwarts. 'It's surreal to be stepping back into his shoes – and of course his iconic platinum blond hair – and I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world,' he added. In a clip posted by Felton, the actor can be seen slipping into black robes and adorning his hands with the notable Slytherin signet ring. He then repeats his iconic phrase, 'Scared, Potter?' before the words 'Draco is back' flash onto the screen. The clip, which has gathered nearly 3 million views in less than 12 hours, has naturally sent nostalgic fans into a frenzy. 'Is this a dream or what?!,' said one excited viewer. 'I'm sorry, what?! Currently screaming,' wrote another. 'I screamed,' said a third. Felton has remained closely tied to the franchise since the films wrapped up in 2011, frequently attending fan events and reflecting on his time in the wizarding world through interviews and his 2022 memoir, beyond the wand. Tom will join the cast in November and star in the New York show for 19 weeks, concluding his run in March 2026. The casting comes after Felton's on-screen father in the films, Jason Isaacs, scored the role of a lifetime in the beloved The White Lotus series. Starring as disgraced financier Timothy Ratliff, the audience closely followed his dark storyline as he grappled with financial ruin during a family trip to Thailand.
