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‘Maxton Hall’ Stars Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung Open Up About ‘Letting Go’ of the Book
Maxton Hall – The World Between Us stars Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung opened up about their approaches to staying true to the show’s source material during an exclusive interview with Life & Style.
The German show, which is currently airing season 2 on Prime Video, is based on Mona Kasten’s novel Save Me.
“I think in the first season … I was really concerned about what the author, Mona Kasten, thinks about it. And after we wrapped it and her seeing it for the first time, I instantly messaged her. And I was like, ‘Did I do justice to your character?’” Hardung, 27, told Life & Style, adding that Kasten “instantly responded” and said “she loved” his portrayal of James.
He went on to share that Kasten’s response “really meant the world to me because obviously it’s her writing.”
While Hardung wanted to stay true to the book in the first season, he said the show “kind of moved a bit away from the original book” in season 2 in an attempt to “enrich the plot.”
“There were certain elements that were being added, like the car crash didn’t happen in the book,” he continued. “I think, also, having portrayed that character for a whole season already, I kind of felt confident enough in my own decisions of knowing that character that I kind of liberated myself, I think, more and more from the original source.”
Meanwhile, Herbig-Matten, 22, told Life & Style that she wouldn’t allow herself to focus on staying true to the book while portraying Ruby on the show.
“I think maybe you have to let it go,” she said of the pressure to stay true to the source material. “Because you feel the pressure from the fans, and I think it’s healthy just to let it go and to do your best for your character. And, yeah, that’s what I did.”
Set in England, season 1 of Maxton Hall follows Ruby Bell after she wins a scholarship to Maxton Hall and aspires to ultimately attend Oxford University. After she uncovers a shocking secret, she quickly gets thrown into the life of fellow student James Beaufort. Season 2 follows the second book in the Save You trilogy and sees the couple try to pursue their relationship despite many obstacles.
While the show is in German, Maxton Hall has become one of the most successful non-American shows on Prime Video.
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“It’s overwhelming sometimes, but it’s a huge gift that this series got so global, and that the people like it and love it,” Herbig-Matten said of the show’s international success. “I think that’s a huge, huge gift as an actor and actress.”
Hardung then shared advice he received from a producer, which helped him understand the show’s international appeal. “A producer once told me film is too expensive of a medium to only fulfill your own dreams, like to go off [and] tell your own story without having it resonate with people,” he said. “So I feel like having that joyful experience of actually doing work that resonates with people is a true gift.”
The season 2 finale of Maxton Hall – The World Between Us will premiere on Prime Video on Friday, November 28.
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