Why Edith From The Dig Looks So Familiar

Netflix is laying its claim as a moviemaking machine that's not to be trifled with. The streaming service decided that 2021 would be the biggest year for movies on its platform, and debuted its plan to release a new original movie every single week of the year. The massive undertaking will allow people who want to watch movies in the comfort of their homes to have plenty to choose from whether they're in the mood for comedies, horror movies, or something appropriate for the entire family. 

One of the underrated gems to come out of this plan is the historical drama, The Dig. The film draws inspiration from real-life events, detailing the excavation of the Sutton Hoo on a young widow's property. To bring this riveting story to life, a slew of British talent came onboard, including the likes of Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown, Ben Chaplin as Stuart Piggott, and Lily James as Peggy Preston. 

Then there's the widow at the center of all of this — Edith Pretty, as played by Carey Mulligan. She's earned a ton of praise for her performance in the Netflix film with Hope Madden of MaddWolf writing, "There's rarely an excuse to miss the opportunity to see either Mulligan or Fiennes act, and their delicate chemistry here is gorgeous." This is hardly the actress' first time delivering a powerhouse performance, and even if you didn't realize it at the time, you've likely seen her in plenty of films in the past. Here are just a few of her most renowned roles. 

Drive earned headlines in a pretty unusual way when it first came out in 2011. Many people ended up walking out of the movie because it wasn't the high-octane thrill ride the trailers made it out to be (along the lines of the Fast & Furious movies). One woman even went so far as to sue the distributors (via Business Insider). 

However, anyone willing to give the movie a chance would have found a fascinating character drama about a man known only as "The Driver" (Ryan Gosling), who's spent much of his life committing crimes, but now wants to make a change. This shift occurs when he gets a new neighbor in the form of Irene (Mulligan), and he starts forming a bond with her and her son, Benicio (Kaden Leos). Things then take a turn when Irene's husband, Standard (an at-the-time unknown Oscar Isaac), comes back into the picture and ropes The Driver into a job that quickly goes south.

Mulligan's Irene happens to be one of the only people who doesn't get her hands dirty to pay the bills int he entire film, but her performance is no less stirring than her morally gray male counterpart's.

The Great Gatsby entered the public domain on January 1, 2021 (via NPR), and it didn't take long for a new adaptation to be greenlit. The newest version of this literary classic will be a television series drastically different from the novel in its focus on Black and female characters from the 1920s when the original story was set. 

As for right now, the most recent actress to bring Gatsby's muse, Daisy Buchanan, to life was Carey Mulligan in Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film adaptation of the same name. For those who skipped English class in high school, Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) amasses a huge fortune, which he uses to throw decadent parties in the hopes Daisy will one day attend. Eventually she does, but the catch is that she's married to another man by this point, Tom (Joel Edgerton). Daisy and Gatsby begin an affair, as one does, which ultimately leads to disaster. 

It's been nearly 100 years since the novel first came out, but The Great Gatsby remains as relevant as ever. If you don't feel like revisiting the book, then this movie, which also stars Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Debicki, and Isla Fisher, is a good way to get the gist of it (which it sounds like the TV series won't be).

Prior to The Dig, Carey Mulligan could most recently be seen in one of the best movies of 2020 — Promising Young Woman. The timely dark comedy sees Mulligan as Carrie, a woman who dropped out of medical school and has devoted her life to getting revenge on men who would dare hurt women. It's a timely film that functions as both a takedown of toxic masculinity as well as a provocative thriller you won't be able to push "Pause" on. Mulligan's performance, in particular, has earned a lion's share of the praise, with Peter Travers of ABC News writing, "Mulligan nails every nuance in this complex role — she's phenomenal." 

Her performance in Promising Young Woman has attracted a ton of attention and has many saying she could be in the running for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She's only been nominated once before, which is strange considering the litany of powerhouse performances she's turned in over the years. She's certainly earned her due, and if she gets it for Promising Young Woman, then it would be an award well won. 

Even with a lengthy filmography, it's clear Mulligan's just getting started. After The Dig, she can next be seen in Bradley Cooper's directorial follow-up to A Star Is Born with Netflix's Maestro (via The Hollywood Reporter). As always, expect a memorable performance from the talented actress.