Bohemian Rhapsody: Mary Austin had ‘no doubt’ that Freddie Mercury should ‘be himself’

Austin and Mercury were incredibly close allies; starting with their romantic relationship and then – when he came to terms with his sexuality – through a very tight friendship. Although Austin has become very private in recent years, and hasn’t spoken a great deal about Mercury since his death in 1991, Boynton had to dig deep into their dynamic when she played her in the Queen biopic.

Speaking in a behind-the-scenes interview, shared online by Flicks and the City Clips, Boyton spoke out about what was “really beautiful” about their relationship.

“There is no doubt in her that he should absolutely be himself and follow these instincts and dress how he wants,” she said.

“That’s an awakening in her, but also just her absolute acceptance of that – just with no questioning and no doubt – it must be very new to him as well.

“And so just to get that encouragement, and reassurance – of ’we’ve got each-other’ – and go forward, is really beautiful.

“You see them constantly do that with each-other and constantly balance each-other.”

Boynton has never met Austin, and re-iterated that her performance is merely her interpretation of how she would have reacted in certain moments, rather than an impression of her.

“It’s a huge pressure to play someone who’s still alive and will obviously have an opinion non this film and the way I play her,” she said.

“Especially with the scenes between Freddie and Mary. It really does go into some of their most intimate moments.

“Your first response is wanting to protect her and not pretending to think I know how it actually felt to be there.

“So I can only give my own interpretation and, as Lucy, interpret how she would respond in that situation.”

Bohemian Rhapsody has been a monster success, with multiple award wins and records broken.

It has only this week been dethroned from No1 on the UK film chart.