Sarah Solemani reflects on acting and writing in new series ‘The Party’
“I just can’t seem to shake off acting,” says Sarah Solemani. “Every time I start a new job, I say: ‘This will be the last one’,” reports BritPanorama. The actor, known for her roles in Bad Education and Him & Her, has taken on the challenging task of not only acting but also writing and showrunning in her latest project, The Party.
Solemani portrays Lucy, the pregnant wife of a working-class journalist invited to a Tory politician’s birthday party filled with high-society guests and dark secrets. The series, adapted from Elizabeth Day’s 2017 novel, delves into class dynamics while exploring the complexities of ambition and obsession.
Despite her apprehensions, Solemani committed to the role after being persuaded by co-star Luke Evans. “I tried to get out of The Party, but then Luke called me and said: ‘You have to do it’. And so I did and, of course, I loved it,” she explains. Balancing acting alongside her responsibilities as the writer and showrunner posed unique challenges, as she navigated the pressures of problem-solving while trying to perform.
Nevertheless, the thrill of acting continues to draw her in. “Nothing compares to the surge of adrenaline as an actor of walking out of your trailer and onto set,” she states. This drive to create and perform stems from her lifelong dedication to writing; she emphasizes her passion for storytelling and the importance of iterative creativity, even when faced with rejection.
Having a rich background in the industry, Solemani acknowledges the difficulties of breaking through conventions around British class in television narratives. “The questions were always along the lines of: is this going to be a Downton Abbey or Ken Loach? People viewed class as a genre in itself,” she reflects. Her experiences studying Political Science at Cambridge, combined with her unique perspective on class, inform her creative endeavors.
Solemani’s formative years were shaped by personal tragedy, which she describes as a dual-edged sword that drives her artistic ambition. When her mother succumbed to terminal cancer during Solemani’s teenage years, she was accepted into the National Youth Theatre shortly thereafter, marking a pivotal moment in her life. “I think there’s something about childhood bereavement that helps you achieve success,” she explains, recognizing the impact of grief on her determination to pursue a career in the arts.
Now, as a patron of the National Youth Theatre, Solemani focuses on mentoring young actors, sharing wisdom on the resilience required to navigate the creative landscape. “To be a creative person, you need a thin skin; we’re truth fanatics,” she asserts, highlighting the intrinsic vulnerabilities artists often face.
‘The Party’ starts tonight at 9pm on ITV. All episodes are streaming on ITVX.
