When I wrote the book, I always imagined it as a film in my head.
It was really exciting was being able to bring some of the set pieces to life.
One of Minnies major moves mid-movie is to break up with Greg, which she accomplishes.
L-R: Quinn Hamilton (Lucien Laviscount) and Minnie Cooper (Sophie Cookson) in ‘This Time Next Year’Courtesy of Roku
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This is definitely enemies to lovers.
And then, as she gradually gets to know him, she realizes she completely misjudged him.
Hes actually the sweetest, kindest man, and Lucien just played that balance so perfectly well.
Golda Rosheuvel in ‘This Time Next Year’Courtesy of The Roku Channel
What goes into that for you?
SOPHIE COUSENS:Well, this is the first adaptation that Ive done.
So it was quite challenging, because translating a 400-page novel into a100-page script is quite a task.
So there was that element of what to focus on and what to exclude.
DEADLINE:And you have a cameo in the proposal scene, right?
Thats you in the pink dress?
COUSENS:I did.
Yeah, I do.
I said to the director, I would love to do a Hitchcock and be in there somewhere.
And I had a little trailer, and I got to wear a princess outfit.
And it was really fun to feel like I snuck in there somewhere.
I got to be on set for a couple of weeks and see it all happen.
DEADLINE: Its set at New Years with that holiday focus.
This book really focuses on the idea of fate and destiny.
One character really believes in fate, the other one doesnt.
And they keep on being drawn back together every birthday, unknowingly to them.
Its a very rich topic.
So I feel like, a lot of rom com aficionados are gonna have an opinion on it.
DEADLINE: I was gonna ask what your inspirations were.
I know she says in the movie referring toSleepless in Seattle, Im Meg Ryan!
That was one of the most fun scenes that I enjoyed seeing.
I think a lot of that kind of thing translated really well onto screen.
And her mother had always been telling her, its fate.
Your luck in life is predestined in a way.
And whenever she has a birthday, bad thing seem to happen to her.
DEADLINE:Quinns relationship with his mother is another big part of the story.
What was it like having Golda Rosheuvel play his mom?
And so when Sophie Cookson and Lucien Laviscount were cast, I was so thrilled.
They just looked like the characters to me.
I knew they were going to do a great job.
DEADLINE:AndQuinn is so closed off.
Im wondering if you could unpack his mothers anxiety and agoraphobia influences that?
Theres this sense of her having extreme anxiety and not liking to leave the house.
A lot of that is left quite vague.
She relied on him to go and fetch her things when she couldnt leave the house.
And needing someone else.
DEADLINE: Are you hoping to get more of your books adapted?
Are any in the works?
COUSENS:I am, yes.
I actually think its a wonder that anything ever gets made.
So I will be thrilled if more of my books get made, because Ive absolutely loved it.
DEADLINE:Are you working on a new book right now?
Ive never done that before.
Its going to be rather a different process, but Im excited about it.
Its quite out there.
Thats all Im going to say.
