Derek Jarman added topless roles to Edward II for two British actresses – then their agent found out

Acclaimed director Derek Jarman added new roles to his award-winning 1991 film Edward II after two British actors gate-crashed his auditions to beg for screen time.

The roles of “Wild Girls” ultimately went to two extras, but were originally created for Scottish actress Julie Graham (Bletchley Circle) and Angela Clarke (Soldier, Soldier).

“He said, ‘I've got no parts for you in this film, but I’m going to invent some roles called the Wild Girls. Just come in to hang around the set naked and be fabulous’,” Graham told Kate Thornton, in the latest episode of the White Wine Question Time podcast.

Based on a Christopher Marlowe play of the same name, Edward II was Tilda Swinton’s on-screen acting debut as Isabella.

The role won her Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival in 1991, while the film itself scooped Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival and a Golden Hitchcock at the British Film Festival.

But for Graham and Clarke, it would be an opportunity lost. “We were, like: yes, yes, yes! But I had a new agent and she said: ‘Are you joking? You’re going to take your bra off for Dereck Jarman? No! If you want any kind of career you shouldn't do that.’ And I listened to her. And I didn’t work with Derek Jarman.

“The thing I regret most in my life and my career is not working with Derek Jarman when he offered me a job,” Graham said. “Because he was the most amazing filmmaker. He was out there, he was incredible, he was – like, you know – like, a rebel soul and amazing person.

“If I could go back and rewrite that bit. I would definitely go back and work with one of the greatest filmmakers that ever lived.”