Television

NEW YORK – Kim Cattrall found many reasons to seize the role of Carrie Kipling, wife of British literary superstar Rudyard Kipling, in the film My Boy Jack.

The project, which airs at 8 tonight on PBS' Masterpiece Classic, had instant appeal: Ms. Cattrall is a lifelong Kipling fan.

"He wrote a poem that I loved as a kid called 'The Way Through the Woods,' " says the actress, 51. "I read The Jungle Book, and my dad bought me Kim, 'cause it was called Kim. Then I was shocked to find out someone with MY name was a boy."

Ms. Cattrall saw other reasons to sign on: "I had never played anyone who actually existed."

Prominent among the characters she has played is larger-than-life Samantha Jones, the seductress from Sex and the City.

But in My Boy Jack, she plays the real-life mother of John "Jack" Kipling, who, despite being just 17 and plagued by poor eyesight, is determined to fight for his country as World War I breaks out. Jack's influential father supports his patriotic zeal and pulls strings to get the lad inducted. But as this true story unfolds, Carrie fears the worst for her son.

Jack is portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, with no hint of Harry Potter. Meanwhile, Rudyard Kipling seems channeled by actor David Haig. He also wrote the script, adapting his own stage play, which opened in London in 1997.

"I always was very excited by the whole imperialistic period of the 1890s and the turn of the last century," says Ms. Cattrall, who, though raised on Canada's Vancouver Island, was born in Liverpool, England. "It was very grand and romantic, then came crashing to a halt after the first World War."

A grand yet wistful tone permeates My Boy Jack, and Ms. Cattrall is a key agent. In her performance, she manifests grace, tenderness and resolve.

"We'll manage," says Carrie late in the film. "Oh, yes, we'll manage. I don't doubt that."

But what she's saying, without saying it, is: An era has begun where doubt takes hold.

The Associated Press

ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics | Search Tips

SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home