"Dear Frankie" Production Notes (excerpt)
Buena Vista International 2005
Although not the biggest part in the film, the role of Marie, the woman who becomes Lizzie's best friend and introduces her to The Stranger, is another crucial character. When Sharon Small originally heard about the script she was in the middle of filming her hit TV series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. She wanted to play either Lizzie or Marie.
"When I saw the script I really loved it," says Small. "I thought both parts were gorgeous and I just really wanted to be involved. I don't think they were quite sure they were going to give it to me but they did!"
Having watched some of her work in the acclaimed BBC drama series Glasgow Kiss, both Wood and Auerbach decided to screen test Small for the role.
Auerbach elaborates: "Sharon was my first screen test. I didn't imagine we would find Marie so early. What I was looking for in Marie was strength, a sense of her being the pillar of the community and someone everyone loves. I enjoyed her relationship with Ally and wanted to bring out her sexy side. I gave her a country and western slant too, in a subtle way. This I felt gave her a very independent, sexy, fun side to her".
"Sharon has fantastic energy," explains Wood. "She has quite a different internal energy from Emily and Gerry and she's really bringing all of that gregariousness and sexiness and humour to the film. It's really good that we've got that contrast to Emily's stillness. She's lovely."
Small says she was attracted to Marie's openness and generosity of spirit.
"She recognises that someone is in trouble and she very gently says 'I can help you if you want, it's there'. By offering Lizzie a job, by realising that Lizzie has this deaf child, and just thinking 'There's something in that girl', I think that speaks to me. Marie hasn't had it easy but she's found happiness and a good outlook and she's worked hard to get where she is. She came to this community some time long ago as well and I think she was in a similar frame of mind as Lizzie. I think she recognizes a kindred spirit in that way. Marie can fix things and she creates this fairytale scenario and helps to bring that about and I like that."
Although she is one of Britain's best-known television faces, DEAR FRANKIE is only Sharon Small's second feature film. She made a big impression in her debut as Hugh Grant's sister Christine in the international hit About A Boy. The Glasgow-born actress has a string of theatre successes behind her. On television her best-known roles include the popular dramas Cutting It, Sunburn, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Glasgow Kiss.
