The Haunting of Bly Manor‘s Jamie and Dani are the epitome of what great love stories are all about. And since we can’t stop swooning over these two, the life they shared, and the moments we were gifted, we took it a step further and are bringing you something special. Join Fangirlish as we celebrate this couple with an exclusive interview with Amelia Eve, the actress who plays Jamie in The Haunting of Bly Manor!
Fangirlish: How was it joining the Haunting family?
Amelia: Pretty freaking special. I really didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. I watched The Haunting of Hill House. I knew it was going to be mostly a new cast and a completely unrelated story. It was really unusual because I didn’t know what to expect. It was really great. And it was really nice getting to form a whole new family amongst this wider family, which was lovely.
Fangirlish: What parts of Jamie do you see in yourself?
Amelia: So much. I think when I first read The Haunting of Bly Manor it was the description I got right at the beginning, before I booked the role, that she is sarcastic, blunt, and prefers plants to people. And I was like, “Oh yeah. All of that.” I would probably do dogs over people and plants ordinarily. But I’m seeing the love for plants more and more as the days go on.
I think Jamie has a really bit heart. And she’s very calm. I think she rationalizes a lot about experiences and the world and the people around her. And I try to do the same thing myself. I feel very lucky to feel so connected to her in many ways.
Fangirlish: Have you seen the social media reaction when it comes to Jamie and Dani?
Amelia: I have seen some of it. I actually saw that you guys put together a list of videos on your site. It was adorable!
Fangirlish: Some people are just so talented.
Amelia: Right? Oh my goodness. Some of the music, how they edited it, it was incredible. It’s been mad. I honestly couldn’t have imagined anything like this. It’s crazy, amazing, and really beautiful to see.
Fangirlish: How does it make you feel that people are connecting to this story?
Amelia: Honestly? So proud, so, so proud. When I had a chat with my sisters after I filmed it. I watched it with them when I got the first previews for it. And I was saying to them, “The only thing I want to do with this is…I want to make someone feel something. And if I can just make one person feel something. I’ll be really proud.”
And to see the reaction that we’ve gotten and to know that not only has it made all these people feel something, it’s helped them in some way, or it’s helped them feel seen or represented. It’s just honestly beautiful. There aren’t words to explain how proud I am of that and knowing that we might’ve been able to help some people in the same situation. So yeah, just overwhelmingly beautiful, really.
Fangirlish: Why are LGBTQ stories like the one of Jamie and Dani so important to see in this day and age?
Amelia: I think it’s so rare that you see a same sex relationship displayed that isn’t overly sexualized. I think it’s so rare to see a female/female relationship that is created for females. They tend to be created for the male gaze. And entertain some type of person. And it felt like with this story, it was for them, the female gaze.
I think the way that I approached it, and I think the way that Victoria approached it too, is that they were just in love. They were two people in love. It wasn’t that they were two women necessarily. That really didn’t play a factor in it. They were just two people that fell in love with one another.
And I think that is kind of, I hadn’t realized it at the time in complete honesty, how rare that is to find on screen. We did that quite naturally because I think that’s how we both feel about love and life. To see how much of an impact it’s made, it’s incredible. So, yeah. I think it’s really important for people to know it doesn’t have to be for anybody else’s entertainment.
You love who you love, for you.
Fangirlish: What do you hope fans take away from this love story?
Amelia: I think for me it’s, “No regrets.” Hold onto the people that you love and be present. And let them know that. Especially for Jamie and the current situation that we’re in, go outside [safely of course.] Go and hold some flowers and walk on the grass. Stroke a dog, hug your family. Be present and live in the moment.
I hope that really rings true with people, especially in this current time that we’re living in. It’s so important, ya know? That’s what really will get us through anything is just being present, happy, and appreciative of what we have around us.
Fangirlish: For a second there I was about to say, “That’s perfectly splendid.” like Flora says all the time.
Amelia: I know. Little Flora. I’m telling you, it’s going to be the catchphrase of the year. It just comes in natural conversation nowadays. You should’ve seen us on set when nobody else in the world knew that “perfectly splendid” was a thing. We were all saying it to each other and I was saying it to my sisters. They were like, “What are you on about?” And then they watched it and we’re like, “Yeahhh. I get it.”
Fangirlish: Thank you so much for speaking with me today. It’s been perfectly splendid.
Amelia: Thank you!
The Haunting of Bly Manor is available on Netflix.
