Actress Daisy Head Discusses New Civil War Mini-Series

There’s a remarkable new miniseries on Prime Video called THE GRAY HOUSE that tells a true story from the Civil War era. The show follows Elizabeth Van Lew and her mother Eliza, played by Daisy Head and Mary-Louise Parker, who were secretly running a stop on the Underground Railroad and acting as spies for the Union. Along with Mary Jane Richards, an enslaved woman in their household, these women played a key role in both personal and military victories.

THE GRAY HOUSE was created by Leslie Greif, Darrell Fetty, and John Sayles, and directed by Roland Joffe, giving the production a cinematic feel. Daisy Head, who plays Elizabeth, mentioned in a recent interview that working with Joffe throughout the entire project created a strong level of trust among the cast and crew, allowing them to delve deep into their characters without any disruptions.

While Daisy Head hails from London, England, her performance as Elizabeth Van Lew in THE GRAY HOUSE showcases a convincing American Southern accent. Despite not learning much about the Civil War in school, she found the story of the Van Lews to be incredibly compelling and important to share with audiences.

Head’s research for the role involved a mix of materials provided by the production team and her own discoveries, including reading snippets of Elizabeth’s original diaries. Portraying a character from this time period was a challenge for Head, as capturing the specific Southern accent of the era required a lot of hard work and dedication.

Delving into the history of slavery and the Civil War was an eye-opening and emotional experience for Head, who hopes that THE GRAY HOUSE will bring awareness to the struggles and resilience of those who lived through that time. The show sheds light on the atrocities that occurred during this period and highlights the strength and courage of the women who fought against the injustices they faced.

While there are intense and emotional scenes in THE GRAY HOUSE, Head hopes that audiences will appreciate the importance of the story being told and the incredible performances from the cast. Despite the challenging subject matter, she believes that the show is not only gripping but also vital in shining a light on this lesser-known piece of history.