Is Frances Bell (Phoebe Tonkin) Based on a Real Person?

The newest hit on Netflix, “Boy Swallows Universe,” based on Trent Dalton’s best-selling book, this exciting seven-part series takes fans back to Brisbane in the 1980s. The story is about a young boy named Eli Bell who has to deal with the harsh facts of life in a family that is full of problems and complexity. One interesting character in “Boy Swallows Universe” is Frances played by Phoebe Tonkin. Fans and watchers may be interested in where this character came from: is Frances based on a real person? tvacute delves into the details.

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Is Frances (Phoebe Tonkin) Based on a Real Person?

Yes, Phoebe Tonkin plays Frances in the Netflix show “Boy Swallows Universe ” which is based on a real person. A strong confirmation comes from Trent Dalton, the author of the semi-autobiographical book that the series is based on. Dalton has said that the characters in “Boy Swallows Universe” are based on his own life and the people who were important to him as a child.

Phoebe Tonkin’s character Frances is based on the real struggles and successes of the person Dalton’s mother. He speaks very well about how strong and brave his mother was in dealing with problems, and he gets ideas from her ability to find meaning in bad situations.  However, the show is “50/50” between fact and fantasy.

The part of the show where Frances Bell, Eli’s mother, is locked up, is based on Trent Dalton‘s real life. In the show, Dalton says that his mother did go to jail for two years in the late 1980s, and it shows how that made the family feel. The interview highlights a specific plot point where Eli, the protagonist, wants to break into a women’s prison on Christmas Day to save his mum’s life.  This story is a lot like Dalton’s own life since his mother spent Christmas in jail.

In an interesting interview, Dalton talks about the link between Frances and his mother, revealing the real-life details woven into the story of “Boy Swallows Universe.” When Trent Dalton thinks about his mother, it’s moving to see how strong family bonds are and how strong the human spirit is. In the middle of problems and difficulties, Dalton’s love for his mother shines through. Through his mother’s experiences, including a time in prison, the story of the series becomes more real, giving Frances a more believable personality.

Trent Dalton’s mom had an affair with a drug dealer, which landed her two years in prison. Even though things are hard right now, Dalton sees his mother as his hero because she has been through things that most people would give up on. Dalton stayed with his mother for a few years when he was a teenager. He learned that she was independent, strong, and able and that she held stop-go signs to make money.
Beryl Dalton, Trent’s paternal grandmother, suffered polio and taught music in Brisbane. In the 1980s, when Trent’s mother went to jail for two years, she took care of that family. Dalton says that his grandma was religious, cooked Sunday roast dinners, and was a good influence on the family even though they had problems.  Yvonne, his maternal grandmother, is briefly addressed, and Dalton says he feels bad that he didn’t get to know her better.
To make up the characters in his book and series, Trent Dalton looked to his own life and the people around him for ideas. When you see Phoebe Tonkin play Frances on screen, it’s not just acting; it’s a portrayal based on real events and people who affected the author’s life. The link between fiction and reality gives the character a unique sense of realism and makes the story even more interesting.

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Olivia Wilson
Olivia Wilsonhttps://www.tvacute.com/
Olivia Wilson is the senior news writer for TV Acute. She spends too much money on collectables and is enamored with movies, comics, and television series. She loves binge-watching and can spend hours talking about movies and TV shows. She can immerse herself into a good story no matter the genre or form and only come out from it when she's had her fill. When she's not writing, she's probably cooking or exploring new places. You can follow her daily exploits on Twitter and Facebook.

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