Actress Natalie Dormer Discusses Her Role in ‘Audrey’s Children’ and the Remarkable Legacy of Audrey Evans
Pediatric doctor Audrey Evans (1925-2022) was a remarkable woman. Motivated by her deep Christian faith and her devotion to the children under her care, her groundbreaking cancer research has saved countless lives, and the Ronald McDonald Houses she created have ministered to many. According to some estimates, when she began her research, only 10% of children with cancer survived. That number has now reached nearly 80%.
The upcoming film Audrey’s Children, which will be released in theaters on March 28th, tells Evans’ inspirational story. Actress Natalie Dormer (The Hunger Games franchise, Game of Thrones), who portrays Audrey in the film, spoke with The Collision about the honor of bringing Evans’ story to life.
“I just couldn’t believe that she wasn’t a household name,” Dormer said. “How do we not all already know about this trailblazing, pioneering, incredible woman?”
Audrey Evans passed away in 2022, midway through the production of the film. Prior to her death, Evans gave her blessing to the project and met with Dormer.
“ I was profoundly affected by meeting her,” Dormer recalled. “To sit there and to hold her hand, and have some very special, quiet moments with her. She was 97 years old, and she was working well into her 80s! She did not want to stop. It was just a privilege to be that close to the individual that you’re portraying.”
According to Dormer, Evans wanted the film to be made only “if it would make a difference to children.”
“I hope the film does,” Dormer said. “That people will be more aware of the fight and funding for cancer research.”
As part of the pre-production for the movie, Dormer and the crew toured the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the location of Evans’ life work, which Dormer says was “incredibly impactful.”
Dormer hopes audiences will find Audrey’s Children to be an “uplifting” and “inspiring” film. “Audrey’s story is a testament to what the individual can achieve if they put their mind to it for the greater good,” Dormer said.
