The Stan Original Series Last Light script immediately hooked in star Joanne Froggatt.

As soon as the script for the Stan Original Series Last Light landed on Joanne Froggatt's lap, she knew she had to be part of it. 

The new show is based on the internationally bestselling novel of the same name, written by Alex Scarrow. It tells the intense and captivating story of a family fighting to survive during the fallout of an oil crisis. It poses many a question about what the consequences would be if the world's oil supply and dependency were to run dry. 

It was this important message weaved into the plot that captured Joanne Froggatt's attention.

From Liar, Angela Black, to Sherwood and Downtown Abbey, Froggatt has always leaned towards projects with strong female characters - and Last Light was no different.

"The humanity behind the show stood out to me - the simple humanity and love these characters have that are striving to save their family and stay connected. Particularly with my character Elena," Froggatt told Mamamia. 

The action sequences and cinematography across shoot locations in Abu Dhabi, Paris and Prague - "like a James Bond film" - didn't hurt either. 

The show's first episode immediately hooks the viewer in.

 Andy Yeats (played by Matthew Fox) is a petrochemical engineer. When he gets to work trying to figure out the source of the world's unfolding oil crisis, he makes an alarming discovery and needs his daughter Laura's (Alyth Ross) help. His wife Elena and their vision-impaired son Sam (Taylor Foy) then desperately seek refuge. 

But the journey is fraught.

Watch the trailer for Stan's Original Series Last Light. Post continues below.

Froggatt plays Elena - a mum who is desperate to save her kids amid a world crumbling to pieces economically. 

"For Elena, she's completely trapped. It highlights the difficulties and the trauma of how desperate you need to be to flee from somewhere unsafe," Froggatt reflected.

"You've got to be desperate to put your children through that - it's not a decision someone takes lightly. For most, it's not even a decision. It's a matter of life or death."

It was this maternal fighting instinct in her character that left an imprint on Froggatt. 

"The show at its core is a mother fighting to get back to her family, and fighting for her child. And just the simplicity and the meaningfulness of that - she'll do anything for her family, just like many of us would."

Of course, there's a wider social message that underpins Last Light - and it has everything to do with climate change. The oil and gas industries have undoubtedly had serious impacts on the climate. 

With this in mind, Last Light represents a bit of a wake-up call when it comes to the impending reality of little climate change action.

This was another founding factor that encouraged Froggatt.

"If we don't make changes, we're going to be in a terrible state. Our dependency on oil is obviously causing huge issues economically, politically, and environmentally. It's something we can't ignore," she told Mamamia.

It is fundamentally up to the world's biggest corporations and governments to take action. But as Froggatt said, you can also find a sense of hope in doing your own bit for the cause too. 

"Science is constantly evolving. We can still make these changes, and that's an important subject matter to highlight. There's always hope."

Working with a stellar cast made the filming experience great too, Froggatt said.

"Matthew Fox was incredible, Alyth Ross who plays my daughter, and Taylor Fay who plays my son were amazing. Taylor is only eight in real life and he is such a bright and talented kid."

Joanne Froggatt and her character's son Sam, who is played by eight-year-old actor Taylor Fay. Image: Stan. 

The pressure was on for the whole cast, considering there is such a big fan base surrounding Alex Scarrow's 2008 apocalyptic thriller novel Last Light.

But for films and TV shows based on or inspired by novels, there lies an opportunity - to build upon the original themes and bring a story to life.

"It's always a choice whether to base a project on the material that's already there and stick very closely to it or whether to make it your own. Our director, Dennie Gordon, and the team told us not to re-read the book while filming."

As Froggatt explained, the producers thought it wise for the actors to feel as though Last Light, the Stan Original Series, was their own to create and imagine. 

"That gives you a sense of freedom which is amazing! It makes for a very exciting TV show."

Now with the show ready to be watched by eager viewers, Froggatt said she is keen to see people binge-watch the show. Because she has now done exactly the same!

"I could not stop watching - it was such a cliffhanger at the end of every episode. It's really edge-of-your-seat and action-packed," she said.

Ultimately, it's hard - and too simplistic - to narrow Last Light down to only one genre. And that's what Froggatt loves most. 

It's got a mix of thriller, action, drama, and apocalyptic undertones all rolled into one TV show. And that's why she believes audiences are sure to be hooked. 

The Stan Original Series Last Light is now available only on Stan.

Feature Image: Stan.

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