Casting Call

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Let’s <a href=” http://www.sarahweinman.com/confessions/2007/09/tess-on-tv.html”_blank”>play.</a>.

I’m out the door, but will add my thoughts later this morning.

Updated: I’ve usually been reluctant to play this game, in part because so few books end up being adapted, but also because I know that unexpected casting choices can work out extraordinarily well.

Take the case of, oh, The Wire. Jimmy McNulty was written for a lumpy, more odinary guy. John C. Reilly was approached, among others. But the part ended up going to Domnick West — not lumpy or ordinary-looking.

Granted, there hadn’t been a million words, give or take, written about McNulty. (That figure includes the Tess novel to be published next year, the Tess short stories and the Tess profile published by Otto Penzler and I still might be a little short, given that the Tess books average 90,000 words.) Still, as someone who thinks that film/television MUST rethink the books they adapt, I’m very open-minded and flexible.

In the comments section, there’s an excellent question about which Tess. As I understand it, one of the later books would be the most likely to be adapted, so we are looking at a Tess in her early 30s, mellowed by her minor successses, although still struggling with some personal issues at times.

I would like her to be tall and big-boned. That said, most actors that come to mind — and actor is the politically correct term, I’ve been told — are simply too good-looking.

Yes, I have mentioned Minnie Driver. It’s not that she embodies my ideal Tess, but largely that she has the height and an extremely expressive face. And that may be the most important thing to me — a Tess whose emotions show on her face.

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43 thoughts on “Casting Call”

  3. Wow, Laura! COOL DEAL! For this, I will get Cable back! (Way expensive here in S Florida–basically 2/3 of a car payment!)

    Hm…Tess….if you could only act…<G>…

  4. I remember, years and years ago, Dennis Lehane saying that he wanted Famke Janssen to play Angie if they adapted any of his Patrick/Angie books (btw, Janssen is 5’11″)…but he ended up with Michelle Monaghan in the new Gone Baby Gone, which seems like a good choice. More importantly, it doesn’t seem like the movie will betray the book.

    Whoever ends up with the role, Laura, I hope she’s chosen with care and respect for the material.

  8. Do you remember Kristen Johnston from 3rd Rock From the Sun? I always visualized Tess as resembling her, but she’s probably too old now since I read somewhere she just turned 40. There are so many actresses of a certain age looking for work that I wouldn’t begin to know who to suggest re the aunt.

    I sure hope they don’t change the story line so much that a new Tess is invented. Fox tv’s Temperance Brennan’s only similarity to the books is the occupation.

  15. Sounds great.I always am glad when hardworking authors get the TV/movie money. I hope you have lots of control over the script. And don’t let Angelina play Tess.

  18. This is fantastic news, but how do we wait until January to find out why you have no part in it?

    How about Mira Sorvino? It’s too bad that Geena Davis is too old.

  21. Wasn’t Minnie Driver your choice at one time?

    I’ve always pictured the gal (now deceased) who played Kitty in Gunsmoke as Tess’ aunt. Another senior moment robs me of her name….

  33. I think Victor would make a fabulous Tess. And I vote for Neil as Crow. I’ve always pictured Crow as shorter and with more hair than Sean :)

    So many congratulations on this, Laura! Although I’m wondering how you feel about “seeing” Tess. Would you watch the show? And are they taking a particular book or writing their own script for Tess?

  34. I’ve always pictured Tess as something like Laura Dern. Strong and interesting, if not classically beautiful. She’s also tall enough and convincingly athletic. Oh, all right, she’s older than Tess, but not by much.

    Crow I’m having a harder time with. I have a strong mental image of him and no actor to match.

  35. I came late to this party, but please accept my congratulations. This is well-deserved.

    As for casting….I’m drawing a blank. Like Mark with Crow, I have a definite metal image of Tess, with no real idea of who looks or sounds like that.

    Let me go with the “this calls for a talented newcomer who finds it to be her breakout part” camp.

  37. I think Crow looks a little like <a href=”http://images.google.com/images?tab=ni&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22Foo%20Fighters%22%20%22Dave%20Grohl%22″_blank”>this.</a> Only with really good cheekbones.

  40. Thanks. I was very, very, very, very surprised. In fact, I had rebooked my ticket to take a red eye out of Anchorage Saturday, so I had to settle for a very fast glass of champagne.

  42. Congrats on the award! Yay!

    The nominations range from blondes to brunettes to one redhead (Julianne Moore). I’m trying to remember, what color hair does Tess have in the books?

    I used to picture Laura, herself, as Tess.

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