Tessa Thompson & Nina Hoss Unleash a 'Mischievous and Sensual' Queer Classic in 'Hedda'

What happens when you take a 19th-century Norwegian tragedy and infuse it with 1950s queer romance? Director Nia DaCosta, along with stars Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss, provides a stunning answer with 'Hedda', a bold adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's 1891 play 'Hedda Gabler', now streaming on Prime Video.

The film's most pivotal change is gender-swapping Hedda's past lover, Eilert, into Eileen (Nina Hoss). According to Entertainment Weekly, director Nia DaCosta became fascinated with the character 15 years ago. "If Eilert were a woman, then that struggle aligns so beautifully with Hedda," DaCosta explains. This one shift reframes the entire narrative, placing three queer women—Hedda, Eileen, and Eileen's new partner Thea (Imogen Poots)—at the center of the story, making it, in DaCosta's words, "more vital, more urgent."

"Her senses are suddenly alive," says Tessa Thompson, describing the moment her character, Hedda, hears her former lover's name again. The reunion scene at a party is described by Thompson as an "electric moment — like time and space sort of dissolve." This palpable chemistry wasn't just for the cameras; the EW report notes an undeniable connection between the two actresses during their cover shoot.

DaCosta, who previously directed Thompson in her debut feature 'Little Woods', knew she was perfect for the role. "When I think about Tessa's ability to portray someone who is really battling internally... who has a dynamic and volatile inside that they don't wanna show... I think she's excellent at that," the director stated. Thompson's performance has already earned her nominations for a Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Film Independent Spirit Award.

For Nina Hoss, the role of Eileen came as a surprise. Having played Hedda herself on stage in Germany years ago, she was intrigued by the new film. "I, of course, was very surprised," Hoss recalls of reading the script and discovering Eilert's new identity. "I was mesmerized that this is possible with this material, that it became so much more existential." Her performance has also been recognized with a Spirit Award nomination.