Interview with Georgina Campbell (actress) and Paul Andrew Williams (director) of BBC Drama Murdered By My Boyfriend
Murdered By My Boyfriend has helped raise a huge amount of awareness about domestic abuse. The BBC Three drama tells the true story of 'Ashley' who fell in love with the man of her dreams aged 17. He goes on to control and manipulate every aspect of her life, finally beating her to death in front of their 2-year old daughter. Whilst difficult to watch the story is brilliantly told and performed, sending a clear message to young people of the warning signs and dangers of domestic violence. We interviewed director Paul Andrew Williams, and Georgina Campbell (Ashley), to find out more!
Do you know what sparked the decision to make a drama about teen domestic violence? It’s a really important topic but it doesn’t usually get talked about very much.
Paul Andrew Williams: I think it was something the BBC had wanted to do for a while. It’s important because although it’s reached a lot of older people as well it was very much aimed at a younger generation. That’s how it was pitched to me, that it was about emotional and physical abuse in younger relationships.
Was domestic abuse something you knew much, or felt strongly about before, or was it new to you?
Georgina Campbell: It was really new, I couldn’t even remember doing it at school. I was really surprised that it was such a young age group because the only time I had seen it is on TV and it’s within marriages when people are older.
PAW: I’d seen it on the TV and you hear little bits of stories from people you know. However I read the script, then I went to the meeting, and then I found out it was a true story and that’s when it really hit.
How did you come to play Ashley? Was there a long audition process and how did you feel when you got the part?
GC: There was the first audition, which Paul wasn’t there for, then there was a meeting when I was confused and thought I actually had the job already but I came out and realised I hadn’t! There were a couple more auditions, being paired up with different actors who were going to play Reece. And obviously Royce and me worked well together. It was the moment I went into the first audition I knew I really wanted to do it. When I came out of the last audition, I burst out crying because I didn’t think I’d got the role and I really really wanted to do it! So yeah it was a long audition process but well worth it!
Did it feel like a big responsibility for both of you portraying something that is a true story and knowing the real family and friends might see it?
PAW: Yes I guess there was a lot of that; I’d never met the family although the producer and researcher did. The best way to get this across was to make the best drama, really engage people into the whole story and the characters. I think we were very honest in what we did and as far as I know the family were very supportive through out the entire process, including seeing the actual thing.
GC: Me and Royce as well, as soon as you know it’s real people it does make you become more aware and put more effort in. You do have expectations and a family and friends who are going to see it, and not even just this family but other people who have been through domestic violence, you want them to be able to watch it and see that it’s a true portrayal and not glamourised.
Are you pleased with the response it’s had? You’ve obviously had a huge impact on a lot of people.
GC: It’s great that it has reached out to people, and for the first time I’ve realised there is a use for twitter!
PAW: Now you’ve got enough followers…
GC: Now I’ve got loads of followers; but it’s nice because people have messaged and said how much they’ve enjoyed it or how much it spoke out to them about their experiences. Or they hadn’t known much about domestic violence but now they’re really interested and think this sort of thing should be shown more and people should be more educated, so that’s lovely.
PAW: I just second that really; it’s really good how people responded, but mainly how the community has responded around the subject rather than the quality. I’ve had messages and emails off people, Refuge are getting more donations now, and they’re going to show it on BBC One!
Paul Andrew Williams: I think it was something the BBC had wanted to do for a while. It’s important because although it’s reached a lot of older people as well it was very much aimed at a younger generation. That’s how it was pitched to me, that it was about emotional and physical abuse in younger relationships.
Was domestic abuse something you knew much, or felt strongly about before, or was it new to you?
Georgina Campbell: It was really new, I couldn’t even remember doing it at school. I was really surprised that it was such a young age group because the only time I had seen it is on TV and it’s within marriages when people are older.
PAW: I’d seen it on the TV and you hear little bits of stories from people you know. However I read the script, then I went to the meeting, and then I found out it was a true story and that’s when it really hit.
How did you come to play Ashley? Was there a long audition process and how did you feel when you got the part?
GC: There was the first audition, which Paul wasn’t there for, then there was a meeting when I was confused and thought I actually had the job already but I came out and realised I hadn’t! There were a couple more auditions, being paired up with different actors who were going to play Reece. And obviously Royce and me worked well together. It was the moment I went into the first audition I knew I really wanted to do it. When I came out of the last audition, I burst out crying because I didn’t think I’d got the role and I really really wanted to do it! So yeah it was a long audition process but well worth it!
Did it feel like a big responsibility for both of you portraying something that is a true story and knowing the real family and friends might see it?
PAW: Yes I guess there was a lot of that; I’d never met the family although the producer and researcher did. The best way to get this across was to make the best drama, really engage people into the whole story and the characters. I think we were very honest in what we did and as far as I know the family were very supportive through out the entire process, including seeing the actual thing.
GC: Me and Royce as well, as soon as you know it’s real people it does make you become more aware and put more effort in. You do have expectations and a family and friends who are going to see it, and not even just this family but other people who have been through domestic violence, you want them to be able to watch it and see that it’s a true portrayal and not glamourised.
Are you pleased with the response it’s had? You’ve obviously had a huge impact on a lot of people.
GC: It’s great that it has reached out to people, and for the first time I’ve realised there is a use for twitter!
PAW: Now you’ve got enough followers…
GC: Now I’ve got loads of followers; but it’s nice because people have messaged and said how much they’ve enjoyed it or how much it spoke out to them about their experiences. Or they hadn’t known much about domestic violence but now they’re really interested and think this sort of thing should be shown more and people should be more educated, so that’s lovely.
PAW: I just second that really; it’s really good how people responded, but mainly how the community has responded around the subject rather than the quality. I’ve had messages and emails off people, Refuge are getting more donations now, and they’re going to show it on BBC One!
Murdered By My Boyfriend is great for highlighting the warning signs of domestic abuse. What would you say are the signals young people should watch out for?
GC: I think it starts out quite subtly things like controlling, telling you that you shouldn’t wear that or that you should be home on time. There are a lot of cases of people not being able to have a job so you rely on them for money. I guess it slowly develops from there with people belittling you, making you feel like you’re nothing. It starts off with mental abuse and then kind of grows into physical violence.
PAW: Basically checking your phone is a no-no. That is a real sign.
GC: That’s awful, checking phones and checking Facebook’s. I know people that do that.
PAW: I think it’s very difficult to know because obviously when it starts you’re very much in love and it’s very passionate. I think it’s very important to maintain your identity and your sense of self; so that when you feel you’re doing anything you don’t really want to do, or doing it for the sake of somebody else, you can realise that and leave.
How did you decide what aspects of the relationship to show? Abusive relationships are so complex, was that difficult?
PAW: We talked about various things. There was a moment when we were going to shoot the scene where Georgina’s character found out Reece was having an affair and I thought we were going to do it a certain way and the producer said “No we really need to show more of the aspect of controlling and manipulation”. So it was good to have someone jump in and say 'There’s many more aspects of this we need to pick up on". The thing is there’s too many to show in that space of time; the violence but also the manipulation, the controlling, there’s so much.
You’ve achieved a really good balance of something that is upsetting and difficult to watch but without too much explicit violence. How did you do that?
PAW: I think if you have people involved in the characters then they’ll get emotionally involved therefore you don’t necessarily have to see everything to be very emotionally drawn into what’s going on. I think it’s the right way to do it because it lets you audience engage with what’s going on without having to turn away.
GC: I agree, sometimes if violence is too much it turns people off. I think sometimes if you can’t see it and you’re imagining what’s going on then that’s more powerful than just being hit in the face with it.
What was it like working with Royce Pierson (Reece)?
GC: He was lovely; he’s very gentle in real life and very sweet. It’s alarming when he does kind of turn (into his character), but we were all really close on set.
PAW: The thing is both Georgina and Royce have lots of differences between them and their characters. Georgina is actually very warm and open. That helps with the relationship with everyone on set, everyone was very relaxed and cool with each other.
How much did you really have to get into Ashley’s head to play her, or to what extent could you distance yourself?
GC: We had a lot of research, which was amazing, from the real Ashley, her family and her friends. But at the end of the day we saw it as presenting an issue that goes further that just one person. It wasn’t as much being that one persona as it was representing issues that happen to a lot of people. So I’d say I was slightly detached from her from that perspective but at the same time I wanted to make sure that her story, and all these other women’s stories, were told fairly and represented rightly.
GC: I think it starts out quite subtly things like controlling, telling you that you shouldn’t wear that or that you should be home on time. There are a lot of cases of people not being able to have a job so you rely on them for money. I guess it slowly develops from there with people belittling you, making you feel like you’re nothing. It starts off with mental abuse and then kind of grows into physical violence.
PAW: Basically checking your phone is a no-no. That is a real sign.
GC: That’s awful, checking phones and checking Facebook’s. I know people that do that.
PAW: I think it’s very difficult to know because obviously when it starts you’re very much in love and it’s very passionate. I think it’s very important to maintain your identity and your sense of self; so that when you feel you’re doing anything you don’t really want to do, or doing it for the sake of somebody else, you can realise that and leave.
How did you decide what aspects of the relationship to show? Abusive relationships are so complex, was that difficult?
PAW: We talked about various things. There was a moment when we were going to shoot the scene where Georgina’s character found out Reece was having an affair and I thought we were going to do it a certain way and the producer said “No we really need to show more of the aspect of controlling and manipulation”. So it was good to have someone jump in and say 'There’s many more aspects of this we need to pick up on". The thing is there’s too many to show in that space of time; the violence but also the manipulation, the controlling, there’s so much.
You’ve achieved a really good balance of something that is upsetting and difficult to watch but without too much explicit violence. How did you do that?
PAW: I think if you have people involved in the characters then they’ll get emotionally involved therefore you don’t necessarily have to see everything to be very emotionally drawn into what’s going on. I think it’s the right way to do it because it lets you audience engage with what’s going on without having to turn away.
GC: I agree, sometimes if violence is too much it turns people off. I think sometimes if you can’t see it and you’re imagining what’s going on then that’s more powerful than just being hit in the face with it.
What was it like working with Royce Pierson (Reece)?
GC: He was lovely; he’s very gentle in real life and very sweet. It’s alarming when he does kind of turn (into his character), but we were all really close on set.
PAW: The thing is both Georgina and Royce have lots of differences between them and their characters. Georgina is actually very warm and open. That helps with the relationship with everyone on set, everyone was very relaxed and cool with each other.
How much did you really have to get into Ashley’s head to play her, or to what extent could you distance yourself?
GC: We had a lot of research, which was amazing, from the real Ashley, her family and her friends. But at the end of the day we saw it as presenting an issue that goes further that just one person. It wasn’t as much being that one persona as it was representing issues that happen to a lot of people. So I’d say I was slightly detached from her from that perspective but at the same time I wanted to make sure that her story, and all these other women’s stories, were told fairly and represented rightly.
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One of the best things is that Ashley comes across as so confident and real at the same time as being vulnerable to Reece. How did you achieve that combination?
PAW: What Georgina is very good at is being natural; we didn’t want to make her (Ashley) one-dimensional. She’s a real person, she is somebody who has every quality, if she was just a bleak shell it would portray the wrong image. This is something that can happen to anyone so it’s important that these people are recognised as friends, as peoples work colleagues, as people who have a life. There were moments when she was strong, and there were moments when she knew she was not.
GC: In reality a lot of people who are going through domestic violence put on a façade and they go out and have a good time. There’s all these things that are happening but they don’t want people to know how bad it is. That’s what Ashley’s family and friends said, that they never really knew how bad it was because when they saw her she was bright and bubbly, and the person that she’d always been. Then at home there was a completely different side that was going on that no one really knew about.
A lot of people would say the ending was the most poignant scene, but for me it was when she literally turned around and went back after he hit her and we heard her reasons. Do you have any thoughts on this?
GC: The scene that I hate watching is when she finds out that he’s cheated on her; it’s such a calm, calculated and manipulative conversation. That for me is heart breaking especially because you see all the fire and anger, which anyone would have in a situation like that, and you see it all getting stamped out of her. I thought it was quite interesting because it was a different side to domestic abuse. You see Reece being angry, yelling and masculine but that was just him very calmly putting her in her place, so for me that was my worst scene.
PAW: To be honest I don’t like watching the beginning, because the minute you see him checking her phone you know she needs to get out get. The longer you’re in that relationship the harder it is to realise.
We certainly need more awareness about abusive relationships, especially among young people. Murdered By My Boyfriend has been fantastic, how do we continue to raise that awareness?
PAW: Talk about it. Just keep talking about it and get it out there. A lot of schools want to show this which is really good and positive that we’ve made something that’s really made an affect.
GC: I really think it should be shown in universities as well, I’ve just finished university and there’s a lot of misogyny in university, gender divides and lad culture.
PAW: It’s from a very young age that women are seen as there for men which obviously isn’t true. Also young boys have a very misguided idea of the sexuality of women that starts early on. You need to drum that stuff in really early.
What would you say is the most important thing for young girls and boys to take away from watching Murdered By My Boyfriend?
PAW: Look after yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And hopefully they can recognise the signs in someone close to them like a friend or relative.
GC: If you are an abuser and you realise you are an abuser then you need to go and ask for help as well. Women need to ask for help but also the men need to get help for themselves. And young people should know if you see that sort of thing, even if you feel awkward or you’re not sure what to do, go and talk to someone. Go and talk to your parents or speak to a teacher or anyone with authority and say what you’re seeing and what’s going on.
Watch clips from Murdered By My Boyfriend here.
PAW: What Georgina is very good at is being natural; we didn’t want to make her (Ashley) one-dimensional. She’s a real person, she is somebody who has every quality, if she was just a bleak shell it would portray the wrong image. This is something that can happen to anyone so it’s important that these people are recognised as friends, as peoples work colleagues, as people who have a life. There were moments when she was strong, and there were moments when she knew she was not.
GC: In reality a lot of people who are going through domestic violence put on a façade and they go out and have a good time. There’s all these things that are happening but they don’t want people to know how bad it is. That’s what Ashley’s family and friends said, that they never really knew how bad it was because when they saw her she was bright and bubbly, and the person that she’d always been. Then at home there was a completely different side that was going on that no one really knew about.
A lot of people would say the ending was the most poignant scene, but for me it was when she literally turned around and went back after he hit her and we heard her reasons. Do you have any thoughts on this?
GC: The scene that I hate watching is when she finds out that he’s cheated on her; it’s such a calm, calculated and manipulative conversation. That for me is heart breaking especially because you see all the fire and anger, which anyone would have in a situation like that, and you see it all getting stamped out of her. I thought it was quite interesting because it was a different side to domestic abuse. You see Reece being angry, yelling and masculine but that was just him very calmly putting her in her place, so for me that was my worst scene.
PAW: To be honest I don’t like watching the beginning, because the minute you see him checking her phone you know she needs to get out get. The longer you’re in that relationship the harder it is to realise.
We certainly need more awareness about abusive relationships, especially among young people. Murdered By My Boyfriend has been fantastic, how do we continue to raise that awareness?
PAW: Talk about it. Just keep talking about it and get it out there. A lot of schools want to show this which is really good and positive that we’ve made something that’s really made an affect.
GC: I really think it should be shown in universities as well, I’ve just finished university and there’s a lot of misogyny in university, gender divides and lad culture.
PAW: It’s from a very young age that women are seen as there for men which obviously isn’t true. Also young boys have a very misguided idea of the sexuality of women that starts early on. You need to drum that stuff in really early.
What would you say is the most important thing for young girls and boys to take away from watching Murdered By My Boyfriend?
PAW: Look after yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And hopefully they can recognise the signs in someone close to them like a friend or relative.
GC: If you are an abuser and you realise you are an abuser then you need to go and ask for help as well. Women need to ask for help but also the men need to get help for themselves. And young people should know if you see that sort of thing, even if you feel awkward or you’re not sure what to do, go and talk to someone. Go and talk to your parents or speak to a teacher or anyone with authority and say what you’re seeing and what’s going on.
Watch clips from Murdered By My Boyfriend here.