Gripper Star Willa Fitzgerald is back on our screens in a new film Strange darlingand it was a role that she Really wanted to do.

In the critically acclaimed thriller, the star plays the lady who, when we first meet her, is being pursued through the wilderness by the Beast (Kyle Gallner). But all is not as it seems as the Beast closes in on its prey.

In conversation with Digital SpyFitzgerald revealed that she had never read a script like the one by JT Mollner – who also directed – and knew immediately that she wanted to take on this demanding role.

“I think I remember clearly that when I first read the script I almost felt sick because I knew how much I wanted to play the role,” she recalls.

Related: Strange darling confirms UK release date

“Generally, when you feel really strongly attracted to something, you get jobs that you didn’t necessarily know were coming, right? And so I just had this strong desire to play this character and do this movie.

“It was just a joy that it came about.”

It is an instinct that paid off when Strange darling debuted with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest last year, a rating it maintained until recently.

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Anyone wanting to see the thriller in the UK will have to wait a little longer, as the film will not be released in cinemas until September 20th. However, it will have its European premiere this weekend, on Saturday, August 24th, at the London FrightFest.

While Fitzgerald will probably not be seen in Gripper Season three, she will next appear in Netflix’s upcoming Grey’s Anatomy-like show pulse.

Strange darling is now in US cinemas and will be released in UK cinemas on September 20th.

Film Editor, Digital Spy Ian has over 10 years’ experience as a writer and editor in film journalism. He started as an intern at industry bible Screen International and was promoted to report on and analyse UK box office results. He has also carved out his own niche covering horror films, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. In 2019 he became Film Editor, a role in which he has interviewed hundreds of stars including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert on BBC News and on stage at MCM Comic-Con. He continues to push his horror agenda wherever he can – whether his editor likes it or not.