The Girlfriend Experience, the new Starz series based on the acclaimed 2009 feature film, which was directed by Steven Soderbergh. In it, she plays Laura, a woman struggling to balance love, jealousy, and an open marriage. Though Wright is 59 years old, her character is written to be in her late 50s. As she contends with her husband’s long-time affair and the obsessive bond she shares with her son, Daniel, she quickly spirals into her own emotional hell. Olivia Cooke, 31, plays Cherry, Daniel’s girlfriend. She turns up the tension further in a triangular love story that explores the complexities of intimacy and trust.
Set against the backdrop of London’s elite society, “The Girlfriend” unlocks new understanding of its characters’ lives. Without exception, they fearlessly address their wishes and the great difficulty that accompanies them. Laura and her husband, Howard, are in an open marriage. But Howard’s deep desire for Laura’s affection adds tension to their arrangement. This series of dynamics creates the perfect environment for Cherry’s position to develop. She is soon drawn into a web of deceit that will push the bounds of love and loyalty.
Wright agrees that it’s important to see women of a certain age in leading roles. This is why she says that stories focusing on older women should not be pushed to the margins, or limited by ageist views.
“A quality I think the business needs, and I think they’re realising that: get these women that are in their last chapter, don’t curtail it. Just let it live for what it is. Because it is life. Why stop at 40 years of age? Like, get the women at 60, at 70.” – Robin Wright
Adding to the show’s narrative complexity is the mother-son relationship that exists between Laura and Daniel. As Cherry bursts into Daniel’s life, Laura’s mother bear mode is activated. This shift raises important and troubling questions regarding trust and control.
“In a different world, Laura and Cherry would have been best friends because they’re so alike. Their love for this one young man is from two different fields. A mother that’s possessive and overprotective – is she just being paranoid about this girlfriend, or is the girlfriend not to be trusted?” – Robin Wright
Cooke gives voice to both these sentiments through her character’s journey. She talks about her experience with her mother and how they would talk about boyfriends. She provides wisdom and perspective on the primal mama bear ferocity of motherhood.
“My mum has never liked my boyfriends at all. Once a mum sniffs a malignancy in the person her son or daughter is with, it’s hard for her to brush that aside. And I can read people pretty well – I’ve never been out with anyone overtly hideous.” – Olivia Cooke
The show’s focus on intimate relationships goes deeper than just romantic partnerships. Their conversation underscores the importance of intimacy coordinators. They make sure that actors are safe and comfortable when performing high-stakes, emotional scenes. Even apart from the production, Wright strongly advocates for clear communication between actors and directors when dealing with sensitive content.
“The intimacy coordinator talks to the actor first, then they come to you and say, ‘This is what they’re willing to do, this is what they’re not willing to do,’ and you morph around that,” – Robin Wright
Audiences are flocking to see “The Girlfriend.” They’ll experience an exhilarating battle of Affection and Anxiety, a story of good versus evil that features characters from three different generations. The new series promises to turn deeply ingrained narratives about love, relationships, and age on their heads.
Wright’s devotion to authenticity isn’t just limited to TILL, though. Her follow-up project is a feature film titled Bingo. It explores an unexpected romance between a 10-year-old boy and a 70-year-old woman.