Alice and Steve star Yali Topol Margalith has come to the defence of her character for what some viewers could interpret as a surprising disregard for her mother’s strongly held feelings.
The new series, streaming now on Disney+, sees best friends Alice (Nicola Walker) and Steve (Jemaine Clement) torn apart by a surprising romance that blossoms between the latter and the former’s 20-something daughter, Izzy.
While Steve bears the brunt of Alice’s wrath for this discombobulating development, Izzy is no passive party in the situation, as she quickly comes clean about their relationship within a day of it beginning.
From that point onwards, she only becomes more determined and defiant to continue the relationship, despite the distress and trouble it stirs up for Alice and their family.
Responding to the view that it could place Izzy herself in a less sympathetic light, Margalith explained to Radio Times why her character wouldn’t see eye-to-eye with her mother on this particular issue.
“I know why you said Izzy disregards her mum’s feelings, but I think she doesn’t fully understand them, because up to this point her mum has supported her through thick and thin,” she said. “And she truly believes that everything is going to be okay.”
Co-star Walker concurred, revealing that Alice would gave previously encouraged Izzy to “go with your heart, no matter what… if you want something, you go after it,” not realising how that might one day go against her own wishes.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Finding Emily alum Margalith went on to say how her past experiences playing “villains” came in handy for the role of Izzy, but caveated that she doesn’t put her Alice and Steve role in the same category.
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“When you play a villain is you can never judge them,” she said. “You always have an excuse for what they’ve done. It always feels very real and very fair, and like the only thing they could have done – they’ve done their best.
“So approaching Izzy wasn’t any different to that, even though she’s not a villain. It’s just about finding the truth in everything she does… and I think if you believe something and it’s normal to you, then eventually people start believing you too.”
The Alice and Steve cast also includes Joel Fry (Paddington in Peru), Tyrese Eaton-Dyce (Sherwood), Marcia Warren (The Crown) and Eilidh Fisher (Dope Girls).
Alice and Steve is available to stream on Disney+. Sign-up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
