Delia Owens’ best-selling novel Where the Crawdads Sing has finally made it onto the big screen as an adaptation directed by Olivia Newman and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya Clark – an epic coming-of-age story, murder mystery, and nature documentary all wrapped into one.
Harris Dickinson plays Chase Andrews in the film. He has appeared in many movies and TV shows such as The West Wing, The Blacklist, Interrogation and more.
Daisy Edgar-Jones
Daisy Edgar-Jones has earned widespread acclaim for her roles on both Hulu’s Normal People and Sony’s Where the Crawdads Sing. Based on Delia Owens’ best-selling book, Where the Crawdads Sing premiered as part of Locarno Film Festival main competition this year and Edgar-Jones is represented by UTA and Hamilton Hodell.
Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild), begins this adaptation for screen with Chase Andrews, an esteemed resident of Barkley Cove. After discovering his body in the marshes, police quickly suspected Kya Clark (known by residents as Marsh Girl) of having committed this murder and assembled a mob to witness her trial at courthouse.
This film is both emotionally and psychologically challenging. Its narrative centers around abuse and survival while exploring a girl’s naivete as she must confront life beyond the swampy bayou of her childhood home. However, its evocative imagery conveys strong senses of place while its performances stand out among its peers.
But something about how the story develops doesn’t quite click: there are moments which seem too light and breezy for such an emotionally charged subject, and no violence or racial tension ever really escalates into anything tangible; but nevertheless there’s always this sense that something may go haywire at any given moment; but ultimately nothing does.
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Kya Clark, an independent young woman living in North Carolina marshes. While Kya has managed to carve out an independent life for herself, she’s not without problems, including an unstable past. In this adaptation of Delia Owens’ popular novel of the same name, Kya serves as its central figure and she makes for an impressive lead performance; her eyes possess an intense intelligence which perfectly offset her quiet yet soft demeanor; this stunning performance may remind viewers of Charlotte Gainsbourg, as she battles between severity and tenderness – making her look like Charlotte Gainsbourg herself. It deserves wider notice than it gets!
Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt is an award-winning author, speaker, CEO and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company; a leadership development firm dedicated to helping high achievers become focused, productive and realize the Double Win. Over his long career he has built multiple companies to scale including one valued at $250M publishing house; additionally his podcast covers topics of leadership productivity goal setting.
Hyatt has written several New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers on productivity and leadership topics, such as Where the Crawdads Sing. Additionally, he serves as Chairman of Board for Ancient Faith Ministries and St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary as well as being an Orthodox convert.
The movie adaptation of Delia Owens’ popular novel was an instant box office success, debuting at No.1 on Netflix charts and grossing more than $140 million against its $24 million budget. Critical acclaim accompanied with nominations for several awards have made this film widely praised, being described by critics as an ode to deep south culture as well as “an inspiring journey by one woman’s journey”.
Daisy Edgar-Jones, best known for her roles in Normal People and Under the Banner of Heaven, plays Kya in Under the Banner of Heaven. Kya was abandoned by her family as a child and lived alone in Barkley Cove, North Carolina’s marshes until she met store owners Jumpin’ and Mabel (Sterling Macer Jr. and Michael Hyatt) along the riverbank store front where they opened shop together as friends.
Kya is arrested for murdering Chase Andrews, a local gangster, and must defend herself before the townspeople during a trial where her reputation will be on trial. Through this experience she comes to appreciate family bonds even as she learns how to survive her harsh environment and remains searching for love and stability. Reese Witherspoon produced and cast this film directed by Olivia Newman through Lucy Alibar’s script; Polly Morgan provided beautiful location cinematography while Taylor Swift wrote its theme song as members of their team.
Harris Dickinson
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens’ best-selling book adaptation, is an intricate tale combining courtroom drama with romance and murder mystery. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya, who finds herself alienated from her community in rural North Carolina. However, she finds love with Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). Unfortunately, however, some aspects of this tale prevent it from reaching its potential.
The movie follows Kya Clark, who lives with her father Tate and sister Jumpin’ in a rural North Carolina town. When she is arrested for killing a local man, she must defend herself against false accusations; to assist with this task she enlists attorney Harris Dickinson (pictured here). While not an ideal representation of reality, the film successfully highlights both its complexity as well as racism that existed at this time in America.
Dickinson is a British actor born and raised in London who attended Ravensbourne School. Since then he has collaborated with award-winning directors such as Danny Boyle to star in multiple movies like Beach Rats and Trust on FX; for which Dickinson received an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
He has worked diligently to establish himself in the industry. He has played various notable roles, including that of a seductive pirate in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and in 2021’s hit The King’s Man. Additionally, he made appearances on Trust and will make another debut feature film appearance soon titled Unforgotten.
Where the Crawdads Sing marks his powerful performance that makes his character accessible and endearing, portraying Kya, an innocent young adult struggling with finding her place in society. Kya’s tale is an emotive tribute to all women facing hardships today – this movie should not be missed by fans of Southern literature!
Sterling Macer Jr.
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens’ best-selling novel, will hit theaters this Friday, featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya Clark. Edgar-Jones has made quite an impression since joining Hollywood many years ago – appearing on various shows and films such as Hulu original series Normal People or FX/Hulu miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven; additionally she had a recurring role on Cold Feet sitcom.
Kya Clark’s story is both an emotionally gripping coming-of-age story and murder mystery set against a backdrop of North Carolina marshlands during the 1950s and ’60s, not easy times for most Americans. Though she lives a hermit-like existence, she manages to survive thanks to Jumpin’ and Mabel (Michael Hyatt and Jojo Regina) who act as her guardians until the murder of one of their local hotshots forces them all into suspecting her of killing someone who they eventually suspecting her of murdering as they all suspect her.
Actor Sterling Macer Jr. stars as Jumpin’ and Mabel in the movie, boasting an impressive resume that spans over 20 years of screen acting experience. His credits include Two Weeks, The Little Things, Nightcrawler, Homefront, Harts of the West Lincoln Heights The Comey Rule Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Snowfall as well as voice work for several animated series such as Lion King & Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Macer is perhaps best-known for nearly becoming the voice of adult Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King” in 1993, when it came down between him and Matthew Broderick – though Broderick eventually got the part due to their striking resemblance. Macer blamed it all on LeVar Burton from “Star Trek” and “Reading Rainbow”, though his talent has helped build him an incredible career – truly becoming an iconic Hollywood figure!