Erivo Brings 'Prima Facie' to Toronto, Urging Dialogue on Consent

Cynthia Erivo hopes the film adaptation of "Prima Facie" will open up conversations that lead to real change. The actor spoke ahead of the movie's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.

"Things can feel like they're permanent if no one does anything to shift or change them," Erivo said. "The more we talk about it, the more we see it for what it is, the easier it will become for us to change things."

Based on Suzie Miller's acclaimed play, the film examines consent, sexual violence and the obstacles victims encounter when seeking justice through the British legal system. Erivo plays Tessa, a successful criminal defense barrister whose life is upended after a male colleague sexually assaults her. Forced to navigate the legal system as a survivor, she confronts the difficulties of proving rape in court.

The "Wicked" star praised co-star Daniel Ings for taking on a demanding role, noting that male actors can help keep such stories alive. "When someone like Daniel is brave enough to come forward and say, 'Yeah, I'm going to play this role and we're going to tell this story together,' it means we have one more chance to tell this story," she said.

Director Susanna White said adapting the award-winning play for the screen initially felt intimidating. "Of course, it's intimidating when the play has been so successful ... but as soon as I started talking to Suzie, I knew we were partners."

Miller, who also wrote the screenplay, said she hopes the film encourages discussions about consent and accountability. "Our aim is it starts conversations," she said. "And also to enlist men into saying you also have a role because this is a male problem, and you need to be mentors to young men to explain the nuance of consent and sexuality."

Ings said the film's themes drew him to the project. "It was super daunting. But if none of the boys are willing to go there, then you cannot tell the story."