Olivia Cooke reveals nerves about Vanity Fair adaptation

Ready Player One star Olivia Cooke has spoken about her nerves at playing Becky Sharp in a new adaptation of Vanity Fair.

The actress will star as the social climbing heroine of William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic War.

The role has been played by numerous actresses including Reese Witherspoon in the 2004 film and by Natasha Little in the 1998 TV series.

Speaking while filming was still going on in London and Budapest, Cooke told the Press Association: “It’s been  amazing, it’s a bit like camp.

“I’m having the best time ever, It’s really fun and the cast and the crew are amazing.

“I’m a bit nervous because it’s just such a famous character and I want to do it justice, but I think it’s going to turn out really well. It looks beautiful.”

She will be joined in the star-studded cast by Doctor Foster actress Suranne Jones, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale.

The series, made by Mammoth Screen – who are responsible for Poldark, Victoria and Ordeal By Innocence, will premiere on ITV in the UK and on Amazon Prime in the US.

Cooke will next be seen opposite Anya Taylor-Joy as a teenage sociopath in Thoroughbreds, the directorial debut of playwright Cory Finley.

Speaking about the appeal of a role of a schoolgirl plotting the murder of her friend’s stepfather, said said: “The characters are so lush, he’s written it incredibly well because Corey is just a master observationalist,

“I thought he was a woman when I first read the script because i don’t know a guy that can write (girls like) that and he was 27 when we shot the film, he’s just incredible.”

Thoroughbreds is released in UK cinemas on April 6.