Helena Bonham Carter wishes her role in One Life was bigger
Helena Bonham Carter has said that she wishes her role in One Life was bigger.
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Operation Mincemeat star Johnny Flynn, the film tells the story of real-life hero Nicholas Winton. The humanitarian notably helped rescue hundreds of Jewish children after they had fled Nazi persecution in 1930s Germany.
Speaking to Radio Times, Bonham Carter – who plays Winton's mother Babi in the film – explained how she got the role and why she wished it was bigger.
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"I was approached about two year ago and I thought it was one of these sorts of things that would never happen. Then [Anthony] Hopkins said he was going to be in it. Then Johnny [Flynn]. It just sort of coalesced," she said.
"It was such a great story and I wanted to be a part of it, but it's not a very big part and I wished it was bigger."
The Harry Potter star went on to reveal how her own heritage played an important part in her decision to take part. "The other thing that has to be said is it's sort of in my DNA because I come from, not German, but Austrian Jewish heritage," she explained.
"And on top of that, on both sides, both my grandparents helped a lot of Jewish people get visas out of Nazi Europe. So it was in my DNA."
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One Life was first shown at the London Film Festival on October 12, ahead of its cinematic release tomorrow (January 1). The period drama also stars Alias actress Lena Olin as Grete Winton, Jonathan Pryce as Martin Blake and Samantha Spiro as Esther Rantzen.
Ahead of the film's release, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies recently teased that Bonham Carter could also make an appearance in the Whoniverse – after it was confirmed that she had been offered parts in the sci-fi series over the years.
"I know what's coming up in the future. I know there's a better part coming," he said on The Jo Whiley Show on BBC Radio 2.
One Life will be released in UK cinemas on January 1, 2024.
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