Essie Davis is too old to play Phryne

Considering all the other random changes they've made in translating the books into the television series, Phryne's age is the least surprising.

I think Essie Davis's undeniable ability to convey Phryne's brash, rebellious, adventurous, free-wheeling, and humorous nature is more important than sticking to some random number, which is all age is. I would rather have Davis's perfect older Phryne than a potentially disappointing younger Phryne played by an "age-appropriate" actress who didn't have the acting experience to pull off all the more important character traits.

And as for "girls married young then," my grandmother (who was a young woman in the '20s) was almost 40 before she had my mother. So, not ALL girls married young then and started churning out the kids.

I hate to say this, but this was my exact reaction to the first episode. It's one thing if Davis was playing a character her age, but the story clearly intends for her to be younger, so when she acts "bouncy" and "flirty," it seems very forced.

In this first episode alone, it's remarked that she's "not a child anymore," and it feels like, yes, clearly for some 35 years. The costumes are beautiful, as are the sets, but given the high-definition nature her natural beauty depicts her actual age.

Agreed Cailinrua2! Also she comes across as if she is in her thirties/forties and not having read the books myself that seems perfectly appropriate for the character. She is playing a grown sophisticated, confident woman who's seen a bit of life and had a few adventures.

I JUST came across this series. I have never heard of the books. The leading lady all other aspects seem perfect to me. (She looks to me, in the most telling close-ups, to be about 35--that's old?!!)

I love the show.

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~10 years of difference between an actress and her character is quite common. Most of the cast on all those teenage high school shows are supposed to portray teenagers but are in their late twenties, early thirties for instance.

No she's not. That's ridiculous. She gives a nuance to the character and comes off as the perfect Phryne. You have your own prejudices, I guess.

Ve...must...alvays...be....exactly....like....ze...book....no....variance....allowed....lest....otter....be....upset. Otter...requires....only....young...people....be...in....tv....shows.

she's 42?!?!

I'd have guessed low 30s...

IF it was a legitimate choice to age up the character (and not underestimating her real age, like I did) I think it could have to do with modern cultural expectations...

in that while plenty of 27-28 year olds are autonomous... for one to be that autonomous, wealthy, and "Brash" is a bit of a stretch... not to mention you'd expect a degree of 'Shut up Kid.' from older characters and perhaps a 'You're not the boss of me' from younger ones... a 42 year old playing a low-mid 30s carries some extra Gravitas; than if they hired an 'age appropriate' actress...

Ashley 23 as Dot to Essie now 45 as Phryne... allows for, if not a maternal aspect, at least a wise elder factor to accompany their BFF status...

if Phryne were too young you'd need to cast Dot a touch younger, which then pulls Hugh down... and he either gets too young to be a Cop... and if you don't de-age him, you get into 'child bride' issues, which might have been the norm (as you say 42 was Grand mother aged) it wouldn't play well in 2010s

also I think some of it is that while Dot and Hugh are supposed to closer to 18 than their actors imply... the "Dawson's Casting" trope has warped perception of age and appearance of age... I recall in the states they did 'next generation' of 90210... and because they hired 20-somethinsg to play the Teens; it got awkward when they interacted with teachers played by actors who were the same age... especially when the teacher was 6 inches shorter, and the student had a 5 o'clock shadow