THE GRAY HOUSE | ©2026 Prime Video

THE GRAY HOUSE, the eight-part miniseries streaming on Prime Video, tells a little-known but fact-based story from the Civil War era. Elizabeth Van Lew, played by Daisy Head, and her mother Eliza (Mary-Louise Parker) were two wealthy Virginia women. Because of their societal position, no one suspected them of running a stop on the Underground Railroad, getting enslaved people to freedom, much less of being spies for the Union. However, they and Mary Jane Richards (Amethyst Davis), an enslaved woman in their household, were instrumental in both personal and military victories.

Created by Leslie Greif & Darrell Fetty & John Sayles, THE GRAY HOUSE was directed in its entirety by Roland Joffe. Head says this made the experience of shooting the miniseries feel more like film than television.

“It absolutely did, because [Joffe’s] skill and talent as a director is just astonishing, and every tableau felt like we were making a movie. It was on such a grand scale and the detail and the lengths to which everyone went to make sure the production quality was as good as it was.

“I think it was a privilege, to have had him throughout the whole journey. The fact that we didn’t change director really aided the story, because we just fully trusted that he knew each character so individually, and we were really able to get into the weeds, and no one had to adjust to a new director coming on board with their own vision, and that level of trust just grew and grew and grew, the more we worked together and the more scenes we did.”

Despite her mid-1800s American Southern accent employed for THE GRAY HOUSE, Head is from London, England, which is readily evident during our Zoom interview to discuss the miniseries. Some of her other notable film and television credits include FEATHER BOY, PATRICK’S PLANET, THE PROXY, WHEN CALLS THE HEART, THE SYNDICATE, GUILT, FALLEN, UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS, OPHELIA, HARLOTS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, and SHADOW AND BONE.

Having gone to school in England, Head says, “Obviously, I was aware of the Civil War, but it wasn’t something that I was taught about in detail during history class. I think they were more focused on British history.

“In regards to the Van Lews, I had no idea that these women existed, and I almost felt guilty that I wasn’t remotely aware. But it feels like a little corner of history that I think a lot of people weren’t aware of, and I’m so grateful that I’ve been made aware, and also able to research it and channel [Elizabeth Van Lew] through the portrayal.

“Because it is an amazing story, and I love that it’s female-fronted. These women risked everything. I say that it’s ‘herstorical, not historical,’ because so many historical narratives are portrayed by the male figures. So, the fact that this is female-led was incredibly exciting, and I just think they were so ahead of their time in everything that they did and managed to achieve.”

Head’s research materials were partly provided by THE GRAY HOUSE production team and partly information she found herself.

“Roland is an incredible director, and he was so thorough in the research that he’d done and was able to share things with me that I either hadn’t come across or hadn’t found in so much detail, and someone gave me [Elizabeth’s] original diaries. A lot of the original pages were missing, they weren’t found, ever.

“So, there are genuine holes in the history. But even just having her voice in my head and reading it was an incredible tool to have. So, it was a complete mix, and I’m very grateful for how thoroughly everyone had researched it, and we were able to communicate and share and just talk and bring all of these characters to life.”

Speaking of voices, how easy or difficult was it for Head to capture Elizabeth’s accent?

Head laughs. “Difficult to begin with. I love a challenge, and I love how an accent can really make you feel that level of removal from self, as [did] the incredible costumes design by Oana [Paunescu], the hair and makeup by Giorgio [Gregorini]. It really was that extra layer that really helped me depart from myself.

“I found it hard at first, because I’m very well-versed in American accents and modern accents and even trans-Atlantic I’m okay with, but it was the very specific Southern accent of that time that was quite challenging. But obviously, I needed it to be as authentic as possible, to be second nature, so I worked really, really hard at it, and then I found myself relaxing more and more into it, so it didn’t take focus in any of the scenes. But, yeah, it took a lot of work.”

THE GRAY HOUSE Key Art | ©2026 Prime Video

Head’s research into the period and the people was highly informative, but also extremely depressing.

“The level and degree of pain that enslaved people went through and that whole part of history is just devastating, and that the show and the story really put a magnifying glass up to the absolute heinous atrocities that occurred. I think it’s so important that we bring these stories to the fore, and we talk about it, and we show people as people, and that we’re all human beings.

“I was very excited to be able to tell their story, and I hope it brings awareness and we continue to learn from our mistakes and not repeat them, which is a lot easier said than done. But I was just blown away by the remarkable strength of these women, and their tenacity and their relentless pursuit of a better life. They were by no part innocent – they had slaves, they used them, and that is horrific and completely unjust. The Van Lews were a very privileged Caucasian family in the upper echelons of society and they faced their own adversity. They were fighting this fight, but by no means was their suffering remotely comparable to the enslaved. That was unparalleled.

“But it was so much a part of that time, and the women in this story were one hundred percent hiding in plain sight, because they were completely underestimated by the men, and I was so excited to be able to portray the kind of resilience and courage of these women during such a horrific time in history. So, yes, mortifying, horrifying, but exciting to be able to bring it to people’s attention.”

Were there certain scenes that stood out to Head?

“Yes. I don’t want to give anything away, but there were some really challenging emotional scenes, because it felt so horrifically real. And to witness that – the reality, basically, of what those enslaved people went through – I just can’t even begin to imagine that degree of pain.”

And what would Head most like people to know about THE GRAY HOUSE?

“That it’s really good.” Head laughs at giving such an expected answer. “Honestly, I think it’s such an important part of history that I didn’t know nearly enough about, ashamedly, and I’m blown away by how beautiful it is and how everyone turned in the most remarkably authentic performances.

“I’m not speaking for myself, because I hate watching myself and I just look away when I come on the screen. But to have worked with that caliber of talent was a complete embarrassment of riches, and the story that Leslie co-created and Roland was at the helm of to bring it to life, I think it’s a remarkable piece of storytelling.”

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