We know some actors really go the extra mile sometimes when it comes to researching a role but when it comes to a role based on an actual person, you need to be able to emulate the person wholly. Lily James (Cinderella, Downton Abbey) who is set to portray Pamela Anderson on Feb 2nd in the Hulu miniseries, Pam & Tommy, is one of the actors.
In her first interview about the project, James tells Net-A-Porter’s Porter just how far she went to prepare for the role. James goes on to say “I’ve never worked so hard. I read the books [Anderson] has written, I read her poetry, I can parrot along to all her interviews. And then, of course, there was the physical transformation. Slowly, our incredible team found a balance where I resembled Pamela but also felt like I could act through it. I’ve never done anything where I look very different from myself before.”
James even says that she was hoping to have Pamela Anderson herself involved because “My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically.” Though Anderson was never originally involved, Lily James actually independently attempted to reach out to Anderson but with no prevail.
Though rumors are being spread that Pam Anderson is not happy with the project, I hope that she remembers that imitation is the best form of flattery. Especially after finding out that James had to sit through over four hours of make-up in order to truly emulate the 90’s sex icon. And in my opinion, after watching the trailers, it was all worth it.
Will you be watching Pam & Tommy when it premieres on February 2nd?