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The one who is sexualized.
The one that follows a very clear trajectory of marriage and relationships and children, Purnell says.
And Tess feels very much like she is not trying to yo anyone.
She is not living to anybody elses expectations of life.
What was your first impression of Tess?
questioning everything Ive ever known about myself all my life.
I read this first line, which was like, Tesss life is a shambles.
I was like,Ha.
This is hugely relatable.
I ordered the book immediately.
I loved how open and vulnerable and honest Tess is.
Its okay to be unsure or to be figuring it out.
I think shes a very brave and honest person.
Moving to New York is a big, brave thing to do.
I genuinely like her.
I also feel like Tess is very similar to myself, so it wasnt that hard to play.
Shes so observant; shes such a watcher.
Do you feel that way in your own life?Absolutely!
Me and Tess she is me and I am her.
They think they know who she is based on her looks, maybe.
But I think theres a lot more going on than people give credit for.
I also feel, on a separate note, thatSweetbitterfeels like a very feminist piece.
I appreciate thatSweetbitterdoesnt rely on that.
Definitely what we were trying to get across [is]: This is real life.
There is sex in this show, cause sex is what happens in real life.
And its not done in a porno-sexy-weird-unnatural way.
New York City is not always glamorous and beautiful.
Its also gritty and hard; and blood, sweat, and tears; and lonely.
And thats why it feels, I think, feminist.
Can you tell me about your audition?I messed up my audition so bad!
I dont know how Im sitting in this seat right now.
I did two auditions in London with the casting director.
I was so under-confident and insecure and having a crisis of self-doubt.
It came out as,God, I cant act anymore.
I slammed the door really hard by accident because I was super nervous and had superhuman strength.
The door handle fell on the floor!
I was so surprised [when I got the offer].
But then Steph was like, Hey, thats a really Tess thing to do.
I was like, Its kinda true.
Even in the book, Tesss backstory is kind of blank.
Did that make your job more interesting, or more difficult in some way?A bit of both.
Steph sort of put me off that.
I didnt want to put into black and white what her history was.
I rewrote it constantly, depending on what the next scene was.
I like that its not stated.
I like that shes a blank slate.
It makes her a more universally relatable character.
The backstory that is hinted at is troubled, maybe.
She doesnt blame anything on that.
Whereas I didnt want to give anyone that excuse.
She never says, Well, Ive done drugs because my mum did this.
She is just an honest person.
Tell me about the back-and-forth between Simone and Tess.
Its aggressive, but its also adoring and tender.
I think Tess is a little bit a lot, in love with Simone.
Tess never really questioned who she is or what she likes.Whoshe likes.
I think Tess has never met anyone like Simone in her life.
Maybe its Tess wanting that, and a competitive, sort of jealous drive, where she wants tobeher?
Maybe its an admiration of her beauty?
I dont want to put it into black and white, and I cant define it.
Caitlin cant either because its an ever-evolving relationship.
I dont want to call them friends or enemies or lovers.
Simone intellectually stimulates Tess.
With Jake, she has a bodily instinct.
You cant have one without the other.
For sure.Its tabloid gossip.
I felt annoyed by it, but also found it hilarious.
My grandma texted me, saying, Congratulations!
