Eric creator Abi Morgan has spoken about Edgar’s fascination with the character of Yuusuf.
The Netflix series sees Benedict Cumberbatch star as Vincent Sullivan, a puppeteer who goes on a desperate search for his missing son, Edgar (played by Ivan Howe).
Yuusuf is a homeless man, whose graffiti is spotted by Edgar. Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy about Edgar and Yuusuf’s relationship, Morgan said: “Well, I think I’m playing with the notion of the outsider.
“And that’s where the artists lie. And I guess what the boy sees in Yuusuf is someone who’s able to express himself and someone who seems to express himself just for the sheer pleasure of expressing himself.”
Related: Eric tackles mainstream television’s forgotten Black struggle
Expanding further on graffiti, Morgan added: “I think if you live in any city, graffiti art is an amazing reflection of often a youth, often an underground world.
“I’ve just been in Barcelona, where there’s the most incredible city filled with graffiti art. And so I guess for me, it was the playfulness of the idea of the city being someone’s canvas when you can’t afford a canvas or a creative space, then where do you use? You use the bridges and the subways and the walkways.
“There’s a message in that and I guess, the relationship between Edgar and Yuusuf is a pebble that’s dropped into a deep pond and somehow those ripples ricochet back for Edgar and he kind of follows them.”
Related: Benedict Cumberbatch reveals bosses “said no” to original Eric voice
Summing up what Yuusuf represents to Edgar, Morgan said: “You used something the other day, the dropping of crumbs. I think there’s a kind of Hansel and Gretel story at the heart of this, which is about a boy who has to go deep into the heart of New York and bring his father with him and bring all the monsters with him in a way to find his way out again.
“So I think that’s what Yuusuf represents and the attraction to that kind of graffiti art that he sees.”
Eric is available now on Netflix.
Jade Brown is a freelance sub-editor at Digital Spy.
Deputy TV Editor
Previously a TV Reporter at The Mirror, Rebecca can now be found crafting expert analysis of the TV landscape for Digital Spy, when she’s not talking on the BBC or Times Radio about everything from the latest season of Bridgerton or The White Lotus to whatever chaos is unfolding in the various Love Island villas.
When she’s not bingeing a box set, in-the-wild sightings of Rebecca have included stints on the National TV Awards and BAFTAs red carpets, and post-match video explainers of the reality TV we’re all watching.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
