How old were you when you found out that the late Hollywood actor, Cary Grant, was actually called Archie? ITVX's new drama, Archie, reveals many things about the late actor with the blessing of his daughter, Jennifer. Who plays Jennifer Grant in Archie? Here's what you should know about the actor's life.
Is Archie Based on a True Story?
Right off the bat, many people don't realize that the ITVX new drama, Archie, was based on Cary Grant's life. This is because the Hollywood leading man hid his real name, Archibald Alexander Leach.
When he joined the industry, he was told to change his name to something "more American," which explains his screen name Cary Grant. But to his closest friends and family, he was Archie.
Although he was popular and well-loved for his romantic screwball comedies, Grant's life was actually filled with hardship and trauma. And in ITVX's drama, we get to see the late actor's struggles in a four-part series sanctioned by his daughter, Jennifer.
Who Plays Jennifer Grant in Archie?
Jennifer Grant is Grant's only child. She was the daughter of Grant with his ex-wife, Dyan Cannon. She serves as an executive producer of the series, as she tries to paint light into her father's private life.
When the idea of a biopic of her father was first presented to her, Jennifer says she was "trepidatious at best." But it was Jeff Pope's "thoughtfully intelligent understanding of Dad's boyhood" that won her over.
Although Grant touched many lives with his grace, charm, and enduring vivacity, only a handful knew who Archie Leach was.
Jennifer lost her dad when she was 20 years old. Despite this, she continued to be proud of her parents and focused on her life.
So who plays Jennifer Grant in Archie? The role went to Ellie MacDowall, who made her TV debut in this role. She spoke with Country & Town House magazine on how she prepared for the role. MacDowall shared:
"I studied Jennifer, particularly where she speaks about her dad. There is a beautiful interview where Jennifer introduces one of her dad’s movies, and the way she talks about him with such pride is the most heartwarming moment. She mentions her favourite movie of his, Bringing Up Baby (1938), and says it represents the variety of characteristics that he carried. That interview really helped me, because it made it so clear how much he meant to her."
MacDowall is famous for The Proposal and Mohini.
You can watch the trailer of Archie here:
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