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Some of the most interesting costuming work on TV right now is happening on BBC AmericasKilling Eve.
How much of what you see on the screen is outlined in the writing?
How much leeway do you have?Well, I have quite a lot of leeway.
Whereas working on a period show, which I often do, its a slightly different process.
So sometimes it can come down to a taste issue.
But I always like, if I can, to push things a bit.
Shes acts on a whim.
Or at least thats what I was hoping to have a go at achieve with her clothing.
Shell constantly surprise you.
Just when you thought she was wearing something outrageous, shell suddenly come in wearing something quite classic.
Or else shes dressed as an NHS nurse, you know what I mean?
So you’re able to never pin her down.
Thats an amazing dress.That sort of bubblegum pink.
I mean, in the script it says shes wearing a big poofy dress.
That came from me more.
So, I like that.
Shes got the kind of chutzpah to wear those things with just the right amount of nonchalance.
What are the guidelines and challenges in trying to costume Eve?Ah yes, Eve!
That was quite tricky because theres tremendous contrast between them.
Eves got no dress sense at all.
Never, never thinks about what she looks like, at all.
Is just not aware of what she looks like, its not just on her agenda.
Whereas of course Villanelle is super, hyperconscious of what effect shes having on everyone.
The thing is that Sandra Oh is rather an elegant person.
Shes quite an elegant woman.
And, um, actually it was really quite tricky.
I dont know if it really worked as well as it couldve!
There is a contrast between them.
Whereas Villanelle stores them all away in a wardrobe and sort of gloats over it.
So I just dont know how … do you think that worked?
Did you get that sense that Eve never thinks about her appearance at all?
She wears that sort of anorak-y thing.
Its raining and she just sticks that on.
At the beginning I did sketches and was thinking of making stuff for her.
And we got a lot of stuff from charity shops.
But a lot of it didnt work on Sandra, somehow.
Shes very petite, elegant, and I was originally thinking of someone whos quite shambolic looking.
Someone who might tend to be a little overweight, whose left button is undone without realizing.
But she just … Sandras just not like that!
I think the producers, and Phoebe, kept thinking, Cant you make her look more untogether?
I did my best!
Villanelle is constantly trying to dress Eve, like in the suitcase full of clothing she gives her.
Its very tailored and fitted, a hugging thing.
And I liked the way its got that zip up the back.
Its a big contrast with her other stuff.
It had to be a little dress, with ivory inserts to make it more interesting for the camera.
Its supposed to be quite luxurious.
It probably couldve looked a bitmoreluxurious, actually, but …
I think it really works!It was all done in a hurry!
Were there a lot of tight production deadlines?Oh, its always like that in television now!
You work very fast all the time, the schedules and shooting schedules are so tight.
Things come rearing up very quickly.
Yes, we did tend to work at quite a lick.
What was your favorite item of clothing?
Was it the Molly Goddard dress?Yes, I loved that one.
It hit the nail on the head.
Have you got to the bit in the Russian prison yet?
[The Russian prison appears in episode six, which runs on May 13.]
I quite like the Russian prison things!
They were these horrible headscarves and things.
I have a very good Romanian assistant out there.
And that was all done in a bit of a hurry and quite cheaply.
And I was very pleased with how it turned out!
Its a nice contrast, isnt it, with Paris, to go to this grim prison.
Can you tell me about that line?ThatspurePhoebe, because shes fascinated by things like that.
And then [Eve] puts it on, doesnt she!
Its an all-in-one thing with blousy bits stitched into the neck.
Charlotte, in our company, she found that in a charity shop, and we were delighted!
Yeah, that was in the script.
Its very collaborative process.
Thats what I quite like about it, I must say.
Do you know what I mean?
So thats something that I feel I have to guard against, be careful about.
Because thats a shame.
So if it starts getting a bit committee-ish, you end up with neither Arthur nor Martha.
Its lovely, it gives you scope and room to play.
Im glad you seem to like it so much!
I think Phoebe Waller-Bridge is very interested in clothes herself, and thats all in it.
Its not that it wasnt in there and then I came along, you know!
I was responding to her interest.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
