A while back I did a collective fan-cast post for various Bridgerton cast members for roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And while I suggested Cressida’s actress, Jessica Madsen, for Fleur-de-Lys, I got a suggestion for Daphne’s actress, Phoebe Dynevor, as a fan-cast for Fleur-de-Lys.
And since it’s the Bridgerton season as well as being a long while since Fleur-de-Lys got a proper Hypothetical casting post let’s analyze Phoebe Dynevor as a potential casting pick of Fleur-de-Lys.
The Former Leading Lady of Regency-core
Phoebe Dynevor is most known for leading season one of Bridgerton as Daphne Bridgerton. Dynevor plays Daphne as proper gently bought up young miss of London society with a few rough spots ie punching a man out. She is also not afraid to speak her mind when needs arise. Dynevor plays Daphne as warm, approachable, and refined.
Going for Thrillers
Oddly many of her post Bridgerton roles have been thrillers so she must be trying to shed her Daphne persona or she just likes thrillers.
Typically Fleur-de-Lys is portrayed as refined and haughty. The most realized iteration of the character is the musical Notre Dame de Paris who, despite being young, uses sexual manipulation to secure Phoebus as well Esmeralda’s demise.
So if a version had larger role for Fleur-de-Lys that was more of a secondary antagonist for Esmeralda, Dynevor could be a good choice but if was a smaller role I doubt she would want it though her involvement could come down to the script and the director.
A Cool Beauty
As far looks go, Fleur-de-Lys is typically depicted in movie versions as a blonde and pending on the book translation is decided as also blonde. While Dynevor is an auburn she has gone blonde before and has looks fine. For Fleur-de-Lys for looks are less pointed than Esmeralda. For Fleur-de-Lys an actress who is of white European descent should suit the role as for looks. One thing the works less for Dynevor is because of the role she has played since Daphne Bridgerton she seems to going to more mature roles so her as a youthful lady might not be as believable. Though it might be fine as Fleur-de-Lys in the novel is supposed to be in her earlier 20s so she might alright.
Final Thoughts
Phoebe Dynevor as Fleur-de-Lys is one those cases where if she were cast as Fleur-de-Lys it would be fine, really no complaints. They are defiantly worst picks for actresses as Fleur-de-Lys but as there are most likely better choices as well. Agian no shade to Phoebe Dynevor she’s a very skilled actress she just seems to in a phrase of her career she is staying away from period pieces and opting for grittier and edgier movie picks. Which Hunchback of Notre Dame could be but it’s not really a “Thriller” type story either.
