While there are some who vocally complain about the inclusion of minorities, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, in movies and shows, the truth is that they are still a very underrepresented group despite the strides in more diverse casting made over the last 20 years. However, every so often, a surprise comes out of the blue.
Image Source: YouTube
That’s just what happened in the recently released “Death on the Nile,” Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s iconic Hercule Poirot stories. The production of the film has been riddled with controversy following sexual violence accusations against lead star Armie Hammer and Letitia Wright’s views regarding COVID vaccines.
jennifer saunders and dawn french as lesbians let's goooooooooooooooo #DeathOnTheNile
— oliwia🌙 (@luponesholylip) February 16, 2022
It turns out there is a bright spot many people have missed amongst the scandals. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, long-time friends and collaborators, joined the film, with French playing a nurse to a wealthy American socialite played by Saunders. However, one alteration from the book has made them secret lovers.
When Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French first appeared together in #DeathOnTheNile I leaned over to movie buddy @DarlingChristie and whispered, "I bet those two are going to be Absolutely Fabulous."
Her reaction was priceless. Turns out she was thinking the exact same thing. pic.twitter.com/OKZkDm9doO
— Nate Anderson 🏳️🌈💙💛 (@xander6981) February 14, 2022
French and Saunders are an iconic act in British comedy for decades. The two women would star in their own sketch comedy show before venturing off into wildly successful solo projects, with Saunders starring in “Absolutely Fabulous” and French in “The Vicar of Dibley.” And now, long-time fans are relishing this new “queer twist” as the two stars reunited for the first time in many years.
Image Source: YouTube
Without spoiling the plot of the film, there are few changes to most of the story that was written back in 1937. So it should come as little surprise that inclusivity isn’t a major part of the movie.
Look, I can forgive Death on the Nile for a lot, but having a Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders lesbian story line without a single kiss is unconscionable.
— Julia Sirmons (@JuliaSirmons) February 15, 2022
It’s unclear whether this is because the filmmaker felt it would distract too much from the original story or if the studio was hesitant to offend the sensibilities of more conservative audiences.
jennifer saunders playing a lesbian in death in the nile no i can’t believe it my dream has been fulfilled
— madeline 🙂 (@thrutheintercom) February 12, 2022
However, as far as members of the LGBTQ+ community are concerned, having two major British comedy stars portray a lesbian couple in a big-budget film is a step in the right direction, as opposed to the “blink-and-you-miss-it” representation as seen in other films.
DEATH ON THE NILE features Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as secret lesbian lovers so yeah I liked it
— kyle amato (@kyle_amato) February 8, 2022
Below is the official trailer for “Death on the Nile.”
Also, here’s a video that features French and Saunders talking about a scene in the film.
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Sources:
- “Death on the Nile Has a Surprising Gay Moment With These Comedy Icons” Pride.