Netflix's The Decameron star lifts lid on her 'misunderstood' new role in raunchy medieval comedy

EastEnders' Jessica Plummer is swapping Walford for 14th Century Italy in this outrageous new historical comedy on Netflix

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Jessica Plummer, who played the captivating Chantelle Atkins in EastEnders, has now plunged into the past with her latest role in Netflix's medieval laugh-fest set during the Black Death, The Decameron.

Taking a sharp turn from Albert Square, the actress delivers a stellar performance as noblewoman Filomena. Alongside Tanya Reynolds of Sex Education fame, who plays her maid Licisca, Filomena seeks to escape the ravages of the plague in the comfort of a luxury villa.

The mission? To snag a rich husband and ensure her future is golden. But things go hilariously awry, leading to a title-stripping case of mistaken identity.

Jessica shared her views on her character: "When I first read the script, I thought she was bratty and entitled, which she is".

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But as viewers will find when they dive into The Decameron, debuting tomorrow (June 25) on Netflix, there's more to Filomena than meets the eye, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Digging beneath the surface, Plummer reveals "But she's also quite sensitive and a very layered character that was fun to play," adding depth to her interview with Netflix about the upcoming series.

"She's definitely misunderstood, but that's because of this mask that she has chosen to put on."

Filomena's dynamic encounters with a diverse cast of villa inhabitants ranging from nobility to merchants and domestic workers, including her handmaiden Licisca and Misia (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), are set to reveal complex layers throughout the series.

As Pampinea's (Zosia Mamet) co-dependent servant, Misia is "is quite a complex woman," says Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica.

"She's sort of always on the brink of something, usually a breakdown."

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Despite seeming to have the lowest self-worth among the characters, Misia commands respect with her resilience: "She probably has the least self-esteem out of all of the characters, but that doesn't mean she's not strong."

Expressing fierce loyalty and determination, Saoirse-Monica characterizes Misia as implacable in her support: "She's quite strong-willed, and she would really do anything for Pampinea."

Brought to life by showrunner Kathleen Jordan, The Decameron draws imaginative parallels from a classic medieval plague-era anthology, treating its audience to a nuanced blend of bawdy humour that will certainly fill the Bridgerton gap.

The Decameron releases Thursday, July 25 on Netflix.