Lena Johnson of Cruel Intentions did not want to remake the film.

Brooke Lena JohnsonOf Cruel Intentions The character did not exist in the film, which allowed her to create Beatrice from scratch.

“It all has its pros and cons – but for me it’s great,” Johnson said exclusively. We weekly About the TV adaptation, which premiered Thursday, November 21 on Prime Video. “Because I’m not going against anything else and I can just create this whole new world and perspective.”

Johnson enjoyed creating his character inspired by the 1999 film.

“Each character has little aspects that I blend in with – and I think I’ve taken certain traits from the original characters that I really like and that fit Beatrice,” she explained. . “It’s kind of a mix with this brand new character who really fights the system. I’m definitely the fighter of the show when it comes down to it and I’ll do whatever it takes.

Playing the “outsider” allowed Johnson to stand out in his performance. “Everyone has their own power struggles on this show,” she noted. us. “But I think mine comes from a perspective that relates to some of the characters that were in that original. It’s [this idea of the] Outsiders inside this world, and how do you fight against it from the outside? It was nice to just imagine a new scenario and a new person in this world.

Cruel Intentions' Brooke Lena Johnson reveals the benefits of not recreating her character from the film. — Brooke Lena Johnson as Beatrice Worth in ‘Cruel Intentions’ Jasper Savage/Prime Video

Based on the modern retailing of Pierre Choderlos de Lacos‘The novel Dangerous contactsthe original Cruel Intentions The movie was released in 1999. The film told the story of Annette.Reese Witherspoon), who becomes a pawn in a wager of sexual conquest between half-siblings Sebastian (Ryan Philip) and Catherine (Sarah Michelle Gellar).

Several attempts to make a TV version resulted in two sequels and an unaired pilot. Now Prime Video is getting a chance to imagine its own version. Sarah Katherine Hook, Zach Burgess And Savannah Lee Smith In the main characters. Johnson, meanwhile, plays a fellow college student determined to eradicate frats and fraternities at his Washington, D.C. school.

“Beatrice is a reporter, she works for the school newspaper and she fights for what she believes in. She really believes in what she’s fighting for but it’s a lot of things. comes from different places. She’s been burned by the system in the past, and I think she’s fighting to show everyone the truth about it,” Johnson teased. “But you see her It is also going through a lot of dangers. And she puts herself and her reputation on the line.

According to Johnson, Beatrice is a perfect example of “what you’re willing to do, what you’re willing to sacrifice and who you’re willing to use to get where you want to be.”

“I think you walk that fine line the whole time with her and there’s a lot of gray area. But I think she stands up for what she believes in and I really feel for her about that. Appreciate it,” the actress continued. “But she definitely falls on her face a lot and she definitely deals with a lot of obstacles. So I’m excited to see her start to regain her footing a little bit at the end of the season.

Despite not recreating any of the characters from the film, Johnson was still a big fan. Cruel Intentions Universe

“I definitely saw the movie many times. I remember really loving it because a lot of movies at the time were dark and mysterious. But Cruel Intentions was really taboo and sexy. It was very much for its time. Was famous.” He gushes.

Johnson can’t wait for viewers to “relate” to Beatrice.

“It’s always a struggle. [With Beatrice’s story]How much of it is a revenge plot and how much of it is wanting and wanting and needing to just be rejected by him in order to fit into this world. Anyone who’s experienced that — which most people in this world have — will relate to that side of her,” he shared with us. “I don’t think she’ll fight as hard as she does. does if she does not believe in the cause. It is a composite of any human experience because there is no good or bad.

The best part for Johnson was playing a character who drives the plot, saying, “It’s an actor’s dream. Being a character-driven series, everyone is playing all these different pieces and I love that.” That you can dive in and see what everyone else is doing before the other characters do is a lot of fun and you see it unfold and you’re along for the ride.

Cruel Intentions Now streaming on Prime Video.