Tessa Thompson Gives ‘Hedda’ the Grace It Deserves

Tessa Thompson has emerged as a powerful contender in the Best Actress Oscar race, thanks to her remarkable performance as the lead in Nia DaCosta’s contemporary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, Hedda Gabler, titled Hedda. Released recently, this film has earned Thompson critical praise, including a Gotham Award nomination for Best Lead Performance, with additional honors expected. Beyond acting, Thompson’s dedication to producing has become a significant force in bringing bold stories like Hedda to life.

Through her production company Viva Maude, Thompson has played an instrumental role not only in facilitating the creation of Hedda but also in supporting other ambitious projects such as Alesha Harris’ directorial debut Is God Is, set to release in May, and the upcoming Netflix thriller limited series His & Hers, starring herself and Jon Bernthal.

A Unique Collaboration Between Thompson and DaCosta

Tessa Thompson’s bond with director Nia DaCosta runs deep, having appeared in nearly all of DaCosta’s films except Candyman. Their partnership on Hedda began years before production started. DaCosta first mentioned the idea of adapting Hedda Gabler prior to meeting Thompson, but once she shared the draft and envisioned Thompson in the titular role, the actress was drawn into the project.

Thompson recalls the early conversations surrounding the film’s conception and development:

“One of the great pleasures over the course of my career is to be able to have worked with either first-time filmmakers, whether it’s Boots Riley or Justin Simien, or Nia DaCosta on her first film, to be able to identify talent really early on and take a swing with them and be able to support them as an actor,”

she explains.

“But I also produced Nia’s first movie. I wanted to create a kind of architecture to be able to do that at scale, and also to have a collection of stories that really are the kind of stories that I long for inside of the sort of Hollywood space that I don’t always get to see.”

The Importance of Location and Atmosphere in Shaping Hedda

For Thompson, discovering the film’s pivotal location was a defining moment. The house, with its intimate spaces and lakeside views, influenced her interpretation of the character profoundly. She recalls her initial visit during production preparation:

“Oh, we scouted the house. We think we found it,”

DaCosta had said, referencing the setting. Thompson was struck by the proximity of the lake, which frames the narrative both visually and thematically.

She reflects on that experience:

“Oh right, anytime I want, I can look out into that lake. Everything that I need is right in front of me.”

The lake not only bookends the film but symbolizes much of Hedda’s internal world, creating a tangible anchor for Thompson as she crafted her performance.

Reimagining a Classic: Gender Swaps and Fresh Perspectives

DaCosta’s adaptation introduces significant changes to the original Ibsen play, including the gender swap of Eilert Lövborg to Eileen Lovborg. When Thompson first read the screenplay, this new dynamic was one of several surprises that reshaped her understanding of the story’s potential.

She explains the significance of these creative choices:

“She really wanted to center women in the story, to give this real foil for Hedda in the form of Eileen. So much that’s already embedded in the original work by Ibsen, of course, but it just felt so much more electric in her adaptation and in her hands.”

This fresh interpretation brought a sense of urgency and modernity to the narrative, making the story relevant to contemporary audiences.

Understanding Hedda: Beyond Misunderstandings and Complex Motivations

Thompson believes that Hedda has often been misapprehended by audiences and critics alike. She notes that early reactions to Ibsen’s play were frequently harsh, labeling the character and the show itself negatively. Over the years, while many portrayals of Hedda have achieved acclaim, Thompson emphasizes the importance of not softening the character’s edges, preserving her complexity and contradictions.

She observes that Hedda embodies aspects of humanity that resist easy explanation: sometimes acting without clear reasons, driven by impulses that remain elusive. For Thompson, the nuance lies in recognizing the pain beneath Hedda’s outward confidence and the rage stirred by her constrained circumstances. She says:

“But I think a way in which she’s maybe misunderstood is the wrong term, but I think maybe she’s not given the grace that she deserves.”

This desire for autonomy is a central theme in the portrayal. Thompson highlights a line from Ibsen’s original work:

“For once I want to have control over a man’s destiny.”

While Hedda yearns to determine her own fate, the restrictive society and some of her own decisions trap her in a life she does not fully inhabit.

The Complexities of Hedda’s Marriage and Ambitions

Within the film’s 1950s setting, Hedda’s marriage to George is depicted as a strategic choice rather than a romantic union. Thompson contextualizes this by reflecting on societal norms of the era, which often compelled women to marry for security and social standing rather than love.

Drawing from personal inspiration, such as the histories of her grandmothers, Thompson explains the power dynamics at play:

“She’s a woman who has been told that, and I think she’s decided to marry someone who she assumes will have access to power and thereby will give her power.”

However, this assumption proves flawed early in their relationship, as George lacks the influence she expected.

She describes the marriage as one motivated by ambition on both sides, a union that reflects the strategies many have employed to navigate societal constraints, a practice that persists to this day.

The Private versus Public Faces of Hedda

The duality of Hedda’s character—her public mask and private self—is a recurring motif throughout the film. Thompson and DaCosta deliberately explored the extent to which Hedda pretends to conform, hiding her vulnerabilities. The film’s settings emphasize this contrast, shifting between grand public spaces and intimate rooms where more candid moments unfold.

The scene between Hedda and Eileen crystallizes this tension. Thompson recounts:

“I think the thing that you get to see in real time is a woman who’s decided, in that moment, to be as brave as she can be and put it on the line and ask these questions about could they be together? Could they find a way? And then you get to see someone who, as soon as they let their guard down and are hurt, decides, then it’s over for you.”

Despite the pain Hedda inflicts, Thompson insists that these actions carry a personal cost, adding depth to the character’s motivations. This balance of destructive behavior and self-loathing crafts a richer, more human narrative.

Thompson’s Growing Role as a Producer

Alongside her celebrated acting, Thompson is forging a significant path as a producer. Hedda is the first release from her production company, Viva Maude, which is rapidly expanding its creative slate. Upcoming projects include the Netflix series His & Hers and the film Is God Is.

Discussing her producing philosophy, Thompson shares:

“I love storytelling so much, and I love the challenge and I love… being able to identify talent really early on and take a swing with them and be able to support them as an actor.”

She envisions Viva Maude as a platform for underrepresented voices and stories that often struggle to find space in Hollywood, and embraces the opportunity to develop these projects from inception to release.

Thompson also values the role of producer as a protector of filmmakers, especially those transitioning into larger studios, citing collaborations like Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok and Ryan Coogler’s Creed. Her commitment to nurturing diverse storytellers remains at the heart of her work.

She further explains:

“I love pitching. I love that energy. I love just reading and chasing IP, and I just love it. I love being in conversation constantly with filmmakers, with authors, with incredible storytellers and storytellers and just figuring out a way for their stories to exist in the culture. It’s just been like the company has been really the biggest gift.”

Current Availability and Future Prospects

Hedda is currently available in limited theatrical release and can also be streamed on Prime Video. As Thompson’s role expands both in front of and behind the camera, her influence on contemporary cinema continues to grow, accompanied by a strong wave of critical recognition and anticipation for her future projects.

Her nuanced portrayal of Hedda, combined with her commitment to producing bold and diverse content, positions Thompson as one of this generation’s most compelling artistic voices. With her Gotham Award nomination marking a high point, audiences and critics alike are eager to see where her career will lead next.