For many, the COVID-19 pandemic means spending a lot more time at home. Amidst this stress, online streaming services can offer an escape. One of many good options: High Fidelity. Hulu premiered its remake of the hit 90s comedy in February. It features Kingsley Ben-Adir as Mac, ex-boyfriend of Zoe Kravitz’s character Robyn, who is “charming, worldly, intelligent – though not at all pretentious.” This is one of Ben-Adir’s first major roles outside of his native UK.
Prior to this role, Ben-Adir won a popular fan following for his role in the cult sci-fi show, OA.
Hulu’s High Fidelity Remake Garners High Praise
Hulu’s High Fidelity offers a modern take on a cult classic movie. The original High Fidelity film stars John Cusack as a record ship owner who, heartbroken by a long time partner, decides to revisit his past relationship to understand his own failures. Hulu’s 10-episode remake features Zoe Kravitz at the forefront in Cusack’s place, “coloring a diverse world of perspectives benefitting a modern narrative.”
With a more diverse cast and set of themes, Hulu’s take on the classic rom-com has earned the appreciation of a new generation of fans. But by adhering to much of the nostalgic, record-shop charm of the original, it also appeals to its original fanbase.
The rest of the cast also features more diversity than the original film. It makes an effort to reflect its modern New York setting. For example, the reboot features multiple black leads, as well as a same-sex relationship not featured in the original storyline. The first season of the show, the only one out so far, has received a high 84% critic rating and 86% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Kingsley Ben-Adir: Early Life and Growing Following
Born and raised in London, England, Ben-Adir is the son of an English mother and Moroccan father. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 2011. Regarding getting his career going, Ben-Adir says, “it’s competitive but the material quality is definitely better. It’s hard for everyone at the moment. Everyone in any sector is struggling.”
Despite that fact, Ben-Adir has managed to make quite a name for himself. His successes span both stage and theatre, and now increasing time on television and movie screens.
Ben-Adir has multiple upcoming roles that hold great promise. In 2020 alone, he is set to be in One Night in Miami as Malcolm X, A Higher Loyalty as Barack Obama, and Love Life as Grant “King.” He tells Matches Fashion that “there’s a lot of biographical characters that would be interesting” to play, and that his dream character would be explored over a number of seasons to maximize the story.
Kingsley Ben-Adir on Stage and Screen
Ben-Adir auditioned for the second season of Hulu’s The OA: Part II. But at the time, he had not even seen the first season of the show. However, after earning the role, he decided “I [had] better sit down and watch this show before I fly out [to meet the creators].”
Part I of the show received a 77% Fresh critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Part II – with Ben-Adir’s beloved addition of PI Karim Washington – received 92%. Although the series was cancelled, its “social impact” has been highly praised, described by Observer as “an unwitting protest march of narrative filmmaking.”
Ben-Adir has noted a change in opportunities for him since graduating drama school. As a black actor, he felt limited and type-casted early in his career. However, he tells Hunger TV that, “it feels like a movement to make everything equal…Especially since John Boyega was cast in Star Wars I think it’s forced a lot of British casting directors to f*cking wake up and think about it – at least offer the platform for everyone to put a tape in the mix.”
Catch up on Season 1 of High Fidelity on Hulu.
