Original-Cin Q&A: Lola Pettigrew talks about playing the gay teen title character in the comedy Dating Amber

Dating Amber is an acclaimed new film out of Ireland that recently screened at Toronto’s Inside Out film festival. Writer-director David Freyne’s semi-autobiographical comedy focuses on the platonic love story between two queer teenagers, Eddie (played by Normal People’s Fionn O'Shea) and Amber (rising star Lola Petticrew). 

Coming to terms with their own sexuality and tired of being the subject of speculation of their high school peers, the two decide to pretend to be a couple, becoming one another’s “beard.”

Co-stars Fionn and Lola became best friends after working on the film and even spent much of lock-down together in Ireland. 

Bonnie Laufer spoke with Lola Petticrew about working on the film and how it personally changed her life. 

Fionn O’Shea and Lola Petticrew star as gay teens in a platonic relationship in Dating Amber.

Dating Amber is currently available on  Apple TV, Google Play, and VOD!

To WATCH Bonnie’s interview with rising star Fionn O’Shea - click HERE.

ORIGINAL-CIN:  What was it about the material that immediately struck you?  Did you instantly fall in love with Amber. 

LOLA PETTICREW:  “Getting the script for the first time was truly amazing. Fionn and I often say to each other that sometimes things just fall into your laps for a reason. Having this script fall into both of our laps was a gift, and we knew immediately that we had to be involved.  

“I had  never read or seen anything like it in my life. I loved that the two leads being a gay man and a gay woman did not focus on romantic love,  but platonic love.  I did immediately fall in love with Amber, I’ve never seen a character like her on screen - so feisty and so vulnerable at the same time.  Also the balance between the comedy and the tragedy was so wonderfully written.” 

O.C: How much did you find that you even related to her?  She has a tough exterior, but she has such a huge heart. 

PETTICREW: “I found that I did have a lot in common with Amber. What's great about this story is that even though it focuses on gay relationships it's also very universal. The idea of trying to fit in and figuring out who you are, where you need to go and who you need to be around in order to be yourself is something that I think everyone can relate to.” 

O.C. Did playing Amber make you think about your own life and change you in any way?

PROUDLY SUPPORTS ORIGINAL-CIN

PETTICREW: “I've spoken at length, especially during the U.K and Irish release of the film, about how playing her helped me come to terms with my own sexuality. Playing Amber  was  a real transformative experience for me personally.  I don't think that I would be where I am today or who I am  if it weren’t for Amber. She has helped me express myself the way that I do and has allowed me to live a truthful life.” 

O.C: That's wonderful to hear, because not too many people are that open about being transformed in a positive way from the characters that they play.  It sounds like she gave you courage and that is really important. 

PETTICREW: “It definitely felt important for me. I’ll never forget the time I spent making the film, working with the cast and crew and how it all affected me in such a personal way.” 

O.C  Your chemistry with Fionn O’Shea who plays Eddie is absolutely wonderful.  You hit it off so well you are now best friends and even ended up spending a good part of lockdown together. Did you both instantly hit it off when you met? 

PETTICREW: “I just love Fionn, he is such a great person. I think we definitely hit it off instantly when we first met.  One of the first things I said to him was asking him if he wanted a cough drop?  Go figure, we owe our friendship to a cough drop! (Laughs)  

“I think we knew immediately that if we were going to get the job, it would be with each other. And when we eventually did get the job, we had the luxury of having a lot of rehearsals which you don't typically get on an independent film. 

“It just meant that me and Fionn had excuses to hang out, and then we started hanging out more and more  before we even started the production. By the time  we stepped on set  we were the best friends and still are.”  

O.C It did look as though you and Fionn had a great time on this film.  Did you enjoy the ‘90s look and did you keep any of the costumes? 

PETTICREW: “We did have fun and the clothes and hairstyles in the nineties were pretty wild. There were some really cute outfits, but I did end up getting to keep the ugly bridesmaids dress!  As soon as  I saw that horrible, horrible dress I fell in love with it and knew I had to have it. Joan, our wonderful costume designer, let me keep it, bless her heart.” 

O.C. Dating Amber is set in 1995. What I find amazing is that homosexuality was illegal in Ireland until 1993. That just blew my mind.

PETTICREW: “Yeah, pretty incredible.  We were on the set on one particular day shooting a scene at the school  and I checked my phone in between setups. It just so happened that, on that day, same sex marriage had passed in the North where I'm from. 

“It felt so strange that the film was set just 25 years previous. And it was bittersweet, because of course I was absolutely delighted, but at the same time I was like, ‘25 years, that's not a lot of time.’ Not really much of a difference. It really makes you think how far have we really come?“ 

OC: It must be a treat when you have the chance to shoot in Dublin, close to home.  There are so many wonderful productions coming out of Ireland lately. 

PETTICREW: “Yes, there is more opportunity lately to find some really good quality productions to work on. it's nice to be able to be close to home when I am working. 

“There’s a really lovely Irish renaissance at the moment  and it's not just in film and TV.  We’ve got some got amazing writers who are showcasing their work as well. It’s like all eyes are on us at  the moment which is amazing and more than anything  just seeing people who are so talented who are my friends and that I love getting recognition is a huge privilege. “

O.C: I know you've got so much going on. Is there any way you can wrap your mind around that and prepare for the fame that is about to come your way?

PETTICREW: (Laughs) “Well I don’t know about fame and how that is going to play out, but I can tell you that I am absolutely delighted when anybody wants to talk about the stuff that I'm doing!  I can talk anyone’s ear off!.  

“I'm just delighted to be working and it doesn't go over my head that with the world in disarray at the moment  that I have the privilege to continue to work and I'm just really grateful for that.”