'Hotel Portofino' a period drama set during the aftermath of World War I
Jun. 15—Lily Frazer looks for opportunities to play strong characters when she reads a script.
When the actress read the script for the series, "Hotel Portofino," she yearned to be a part of it.
Of course, there was brilliant writing, but she found the character of Claudine Pascal intriguing.
"Every scene that Claudine is in, she's a commanding presence," Frazer says. "This woman is amazing in all facets. Even in her pajamas, she turns heads. She's also quite the opposite of me."
"Hotel Portofino" tells the story of the Ainsworth family that has relocated from Britain to open an upscale hotel on the Italian coastline.
Set in the resort town of Portofino, this new period drama is about personal awakening at a time of global upheaval in the traumatic aftermath of World War I and the liberating influence of Italy's enchanting culture, climate and cuisine on elite British travelers.
As distinguished guests like the imperious Lady Latchmere check into the hotel, matriarch Bella Ainsworth tries to keep up with their constant demands. Natascha McElhone and Mark Umbers star as the British expat hoteliers Bella and Cecil Ainsworth.
Rounding out the ensemble cast, are Anna Chancellor, Pasquale Esposito, Oliver Dench, Assad Zaman, Adam James, Imogen King, Elizabeth Carling and Olivia Morris.
The series will premiere at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will air through July 24.
Frazer says when she first got the script, she had wanted to be part of a period drama.
She says that Claudine is a gift of a role.
"If I'm playing a character, this is the one," Frazer says. "She jumped off the page."
Frazer not only saw the role as a gift, but a challenge.
Claudine is the total opposite of Frazer in her daily life and the role pushed Frazer's comfort level.
"Claudine is in a bathing suit for the whole time," she says with a laugh. "When the camera was rolling, I just had to be her. It was a lesson in me shutting myself off from everything. Any insecurities I had about my body, I needed to move them aside. When I stepped into her shoes, she wouldn't care. I had to work on that as well."
Frazer felt like the role also helped her navigate a transition period in her life.
"I have a child and she was 18 months at the time," she explains. "We had just been in the pandemic and there was so much anxiety around. As Lily, I looked to Claudine's confidence to push me out of my shell. At the time of the series, I was finding my identity as a mom. I took away many aspects that has made my life better."
Plan your weekend every Thursday! Sign up for Albuquerque Journal's free Entertainment newsletter.
* indicates required
Email Address *
"Hotel Portofino" has already aired in the United Kingdom and renewed for a second season.
"In the next season, I'm super excited to see how Claudine evolves," Frazer says. "It will be nice to see her move forward and find romance and love."
Frazer hopes that American audiences will bond with the series as it premieres.
Though the series is set in Italy, the cast filmed in Croatia.
"This show is an escape not only to another time, but away from today's troubles," she says. "For an hour each week, viewers will be able to be transported to a different time. That's what entertainment is. And they'll be able to see the amazing costumes that we had."
ON TV
"Hotel Portofino" premieres at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. The series will air through July 24.
