With new satirical comedy Ladies First coming to Netflix on May 22, to mark the occasion we had the pleasure in speaking to its leading two stars, Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike, and the director, Thea Sharrock.
The actors discuss the themes of the film, with Pike explaining why playing the entitled, brazen version of her character was “strangely cathartic,” while Baron Cohen’s unpacks why Damien is his most emotionally evolved character to date. The duo also speak about bird poo (because why not), while Baron Cohen draws parallels between this project and some of his other famed comic creations, finding a through-line and running theme between his comedic performances.
With Sharrock we discuss the deliberate choice to push the English-language adaptation towards broader comedy than its French source, to her frank assessment of Sacha Baron Cohen as a comic genius who she openly admits it is “impossible to stop.” With an Arsenal scarf draped over her chair, we also speak about her football club’s fortunes for the remainder of the season, which, as you’ll be able to tell, pains this interviewer… Watch both interviews in their entirety below.
Sacha Baron Cohen & Rosamund Pike
Thea Sharrock
Plot
A male chauvinist is transported to a matriarchal society, facing challenges from a formidable female version of himself.
Ladies First launches on Netflix on May 22
