Freya Allan, known for her enchanting role in Netflix’s The Witcher, has recently ventured into a starkly different world with her role in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Following three seasons in the fantasy realm of The Witcher, Allan’s next project thrust her into the gritty, post-apocalyptic environment of the Planet of the Apes franchise.
Speaking at Comic-Con 2024, Allan reflected on her transition from The Witcher to the Planet of the Apes universe, revealing her initial hopes for a more grounded role. “I left The Witcher, and everyone was like, ‘What do you want to do next?’” she recalled. “I wanted something normal, you know, just people around a table having a chat.” However, her next role took an unexpected turn.
Allan described arriving in Australia for the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and finding herself in a chaotic environment. She was greeted by Owen Teague, an actor whose exuberance contrasted sharply with Allan’s desire for normalcy. Instead of a straightforward role, she was immersed in a world where humans interacted like chimpanzees, a stark departure from her previous work.
In this fourth installment of the rebooted Planet of the Apes series, Allan portrays Mae, the central human character. Mae embarks on a mission with the simian characters Noa (played by Teague) and Raka (Peter Macon) to reclaim their tribe from Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand). Allan’s role as a human provides a unique contrast to her co-stars, who donned motion-capture suits to embody apes.
While initially relieved to avoid the motion-capture suits and the “ludicrously absurd” ape roles, Allan’s curiosity grew. “I would have liked to be an extra ape one day,” she admitted, showcasing her adaptability and enthusiasm for exploring new acting experiences.
Looking ahead, Allan is eager to see how Mae’s character will evolve, especially if a sequel follows. Mae starts with strong anti-ape sentiments but undergoes significant development throughout the film. Allan is intrigued by how Mae will confront her community with her newfound perspective, acknowledging the potential for intense future conflicts.
Freya Allan’s ability to shift from the fantastical landscapes of The Witcher to the dystopian world of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes highlights her impressive range as an actress. Despite initially seeking a more conventional role, Allan embraced the challenge of a complex character in a dynamic setting, showcasing her readiness to tackle diverse narratives with passion.
