Shawn Levy and the cast of Netflix’s “All the Light We Cannot See” are giving a special look at the “timeless” limited series in a behind-the-scenes featurette that debuted Thursday.
“All the Light We Cannot See” is based on the Anthony Doerr novel of the same name that follows the story of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and her father as they navigate German-occupied Paris during World War II. Steven Knight adapted the book.
Director and executive producer Levy searched for an actor who could fill the shoes of Marie, landing upon Aria Mia Loberti, who is visually impaired. “Maria’s experience of blindness is not a catalyst for the story necessarily,” said Loberti, adding that “it is her experience as a blind girl navigating love and loss at the time of war.”
Levy revealed that Loberti never had intentions of being an actor, and the Netflix series served as her first audition. “Aria is someone who understands this character in her soul,” said Levy. He affirmed that it was incredibly important “to have Marie played by someone who understands what it is like to walk that road” of shared experiences.
Marie meets Werner (Louis Hoffman), a young German soldier tapped by Hitler to track down illegal broadcasts who resists his work. Marie and Werner end up developing a connection — a sense of hope amid the turbulent time depicted in the series.
“Showing those two different types of people, living through war and turmoil is so important and I think so many of us will connect with their stories,” said Loberti.
“This story is both timeless and timely, unabashedly human and emotional,” said Levy. “It captured a certain epic scale that we’ve been truly privileged to bring to life.”
“All the Light We Cannot See” is set to be released on Nov. 2 on Netflix.
Watch the full behind-the-scenes featurette below.