Actress Claire Foy Embraces Falconry for Emotional New Role

In a surprising turn, acclaimed actress Claire Foy has revealed that she has no plans to continue practicing falconry after her role in the upcoming film "H Is for Hawk." The biographical drama, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe and co-written by Emma Donoghue, required Foy to undergo a crash course in the art of training and handling birds of prey.

Foy, known for her Emmy-winning performance as a young Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown," found herself tasked with wielding a goshawk for the majority of the film's shoot. Based on Helen Macdonald's 2014 memoir of the same name, "H Is for Hawk" explores Macdonald's journey of rediscovering her love of falconry while grieving the sudden loss of her father.

While Foy admits she was initially more apprehensive about the emotional aspects of the role, the actress quickly developed a deep appreciation for the goshawks used in the film. Working closely with bird specialists Rose and Lloyd Buck, who provided the five birds used to portray the character of Mable, Foy spent two weeks immersed in the world of falconry, learning to be "totally present" with the creatures in a way she had never experienced before.

Despite her newfound fondness for the birds, Foy has no plans to continue the hobby outside of the film, stating that her experience is "so tied to these specific hawks" that she would struggle to replicate it with other birds. The actress hopes to visit the goshawks she worked with, but believes her role as Macdonald has left her with a profound respect for the discipline of falconry rather than a desire to pursue it herself.

"H Is for Hawk," also starring Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan, Sam Spruell, and Josh Dylan, is set to premiere at the Telluride Film Festival before its wider release. Foy's performance is expected to showcase her versatility as an actress, as she navigates the emotional complexities of grief and loss through the lens of Macdonald's personal journey.