Emily Atack has voiced her comfort and identification with playing "flawed" and "promiscuous" women, specifically her character Sarah Stratton in the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals. Atack stated that she is "completely her" and that society has a tendency to "demonise" such female characters, labeling them as "home wreckers" or "tarts" if they are sexually open. She argues that men are allowed to discuss these traits freely, while women face judgment.
Atack’s assertion is that playing sexually liberated or morally ambiguous female characters does not diminish her advocacy against violence towards women, asserting, "The two should not go hand in hand." She has embraced being "typecast" as these characters, stating, "I will carry on playing sexy women for as long as they will have me." This perspective comes amidst criticism and online harassment, particularly after a nude scene in Rivals, where Atack noted that such reactions highlight a need for societal change, suggesting critics "need to change."
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Embracing the 'Typecast'
The actress, known for her role in The Inbetweeners, has found a consistent professional path by portraying sexually confident women. She mentioned being typecast since her early career and has found no issue with it, seeing parallels between her own experiences and the characters she plays. Atack highlighted that characters like Sarah Stratton are often written without nuance, representing a "demonised type" that she feels connected to and finds empowering to portray.
"I’ve been typecast my whole life, and I’ve loved every single minute of it."
She believes many are hesitant to admit they identify with such characters, but Atack finds herself aligning with them, stating, "I completely am her." This includes the character's overt sexuality and ambition, which Atack feels are often portrayed negatively in fiction but which she aims to make "really likeable."
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Campaigning Amidst Controversy
Atack has directly addressed the perceived contradiction between her on-screen persona and her public stance on ending violence against women. She maintains that portraying a character who uses sex to advance her position does not undermine her campaigning efforts. Atack expressed her enthusiasm for the role, noting her comfort during filming, even in nude scenes.
"One minute she's talking about violence against women, the next minute she's getting her kit off in a show."
Her stance is that the judgment faced by women regarding their sexuality – being labeled a "frigid nun" if conservative or a "tart" if expressive – is a societal issue that needs addressing. She feels her comfort with her own portrayal and nudity on screen is a personal choice that should not be conflated with or used to discredit her advocacy.
Background: The Rivals Phenomenon
Rivals, the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel, features Atack as Sarah Stratton, a character involved in a complex web of relationships and affairs within the British elite. The series, which also stars David Tennant and Danny Dyer, has generated significant attention for its steamy content and its portrayal of ambitious, often morally ambiguous, characters. Atack's willingness to engage with these "flawed" roles aligns with her career trajectory since The Inbetweeners, where she also played a character known for her overt sexuality. This engagement with typecasting and societal perceptions of female sexuality continues to be a central theme in her public discourse.
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