“Working with Natalie was an absolute dream”: Noah Jupe, Alma Har’el, Byron Bowers, Josiah Cross and Y’lan Noel on Lady in the Lake

Lady in the Lake is a new seven-part noir-thriller show adaptation from visionary director Alma Har’el. The story is based on true events surrounding two mysterious murders in Baltimore in the 1960s and taken from the best-selling novel by Laura Lippman, who also co-produces.

Natalie Portman stars as Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife who becomes bored with her domestic life and family duties. She leaves them behind in a bid to pursue her dreams of becoming an investigative journalist after she learns about the disappearance of an 11-year-old Jewish girl called Tessie Fine, and the mysterious murder of a woman called Cleo Sherwood (Moses Ingram).

The two women’s lives seem to follow a parallel path until Sherwood’s death, both trying to forge a better life for themselves. The story is narrated posthumously by Sherwood, giving viewers a deeper insight into her life before her death as a hardworking mother, with an interest in the political underbelly of the Black community in Baltimore.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of speaking to Har’el about why she wanted to make this adaptation and how she went about the casting process to ensure the authenticity of these characters.

We then spoke to Byron Bowers, Josiah Cross and Y’lan Noel about working with such a visionary director, the importance of the Pharaoh club as a hub for the Black community and working alongside Natalie Portman and Moses Ingram.

Noah Jupe then reflected on previously working with Har’el and what drew him to this particular role. He also revealed what it was like acting alongside Natalie Portman as his mother, and that dynamic evolved.

Ezelle Alblas

Lady in the Lake is released on Apple TV+ on 19^th July 2024.

Watch the trailer for Lady in the Lake here: