“It addresses issues that are, oddly enough, very timely,” Victoria Hislop says of the new August Night series based on her book of the same name. The television project, which started on the ERT channel in early October, is a continuation of the Ostrov series and is dedicated to the events after the finale.

The popular Greek-born British writer and journalist speaks passionately via Zoom from her home in Crete about the new TV adaptation of her work, Greece and the repatriation of the Parthenon sculptures.

“I was very involved from the very beginning because that’s what I always wanted to do in television production. When we were filming the series Postcard, the screenwriter was Panagiotis Christopoulos, whom I can now easily call one of my favorite people on the planet. Surprisingly, for the scenario of almost 14 hours, we had only one disagreement. Added a new plot. And everything he did was magical. When you have a really good script, you are in a good place to start. Another very interesting aspect for me is that – without sounding like a “boss” – I really wanted a female director. And indeed, a certain woman who was an assistant director on The Island and production manager on The Postcard while she also directed several films: Zoe Sguru. Her real ambition was to channel something more. I thought that if she had been a man, she might have been given that opportunity five years earlier. He does amazing work.

Then we have Eric Giowon, an extremely talented cinematographer who is not Greek but has worked with Zoe. I’m thinking about The Island again, let’s say the interpretation of Julika Skafidas and Alexandros Logothetis from 10 years ago. And it seems that this TV couple Maria and the Doctor lived together all this time, which surprised me very much. It seems their relationship has matured. And then again Yannis Stankoglu, who in 10 years has become an even better actor in every respect. Obviously, we really wanted him to be with us. The character he plays is in prison throughout the series. It’s a difficult role, but Stankoglu makes every scene unique.

As for Evgenia Dimitropoulou, who plays Anna, the same woman she embodied 10 years ago, she does not come back to life, but becomes part of the series. What’s interesting about Eugenia is that it seems like time hasn’t passed for her.

We also got some great new people: Maria Cavogianni who plays Agati and when I was writing the book she was the most important new character for me, I had a very clear idea of ​​who she was. A very open hearted person. And finally, George Karamichos, whom I did not know at all. He looks like a movie star from the 1950s and 1960s. We couldn’t cast Emilios Celakis, who was the original Manolis, but we had to move on. And when I saw George on the audition tape, I said, “That’s him.”

Another great element of the series is the music that wraps it around. It has very good ingredients, which in itself does not mean that the result will be good.

Because the book was a success, the audience already knew the real story of leprosy. I think most people wouldn’t think they would be interested in this topic, but the show somehow piqued their interest. We have received a lot of support from the local community. In addition, ten years ago, people with memories of the past still lived in Plaka.

In “August Night” there are a variety of situations, and it is interesting that the starting point, femicide, today, unfortunately, has become a reality. The series deals with topics that are surprisingly very relevant. Each episode has a harrowing ending, which was not the case in The Island to such an extent.

I thought people in Britain would think, why a queen when we can have a president?

It took me some time to read, understand and make sure that I would be my rational and not my emotional “Greek” self, which would make me associate myself with the antiquities that are in the British Museum, just for fun. I wanted to be emotional but also witty because I respected the former director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, who I heard repeatedly explain why he thought the sculptures should stay there. It was very confusing and made me defensive. If I had argued with him without good arguments, I think he would have crushed me.

The new manager is completely different. I met with him, but we didn’t talk about it. But after doing a full investigation and after Boris Johnson said “they’re not coming back as long as I’m prime minister”, I felt like I was on the other side. This was the catalyst for me to become a member of the British Commission for the Repatriation of Sculptors. I am absolutely sure that they are there illegally. Now there is a small seismic movement, the expansion of which will bring great destruction.

I believe that it is only a matter of time, and little by little, the younger generations who will work in the museum will have a different attitude towards its role and historical place in the world. In addition, with the development of 3D printing, it has become easy to make copies. We are moving forward and I am very optimistic.

“Daily life will be no different. We knew he was going to die and he left at just the right time. To be honest, and since we’re going through a volatile time in the country’s politics, I thought people would think why a queen when we can have a president? My personal opinion is that the monarchy is the most ridiculous idea. The Queen has led us to believe that she is doing some useful work, somehow supporting the ever-changing ‘circus’ of politicians. We are used to this idea, and I don’t know if King Charles III will make us feel the same way. I think it depends on the person.

However, in a strange way, Charles was ahead of his time when it came to environmental issues or different cultures. People – then – did not take him seriously. Today he is the new king who respects all religions in a multicultural country like the UK, so people might start to listen to him a little more.

So I don’t know how the queen’s death will change the country, it’s hard to predict. Time will tell. However, the royal family is an important part of London.