A New Collaborative Experience
For sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning, sharing the screen in the upcoming film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s World War II novel, The Nightingale, marked a significant professional milestone. Despite their shared history of playing together in their childhood playroom, this project represented their first substantial acting collaboration.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Dakota Fanning revealed that both sisters felt a sense of apprehension before cameras started rolling. “We were quietly nervous about it,” she shared, noting that they largely kept these feelings to themselves to maintain a professional atmosphere.
Setting Boundaries on Set
Dakota explained that establishing a professional dynamic was essential, particularly because Elle had established a firm ground rule: no “older sister” behavior was permitted during filming. Dakota noted, “I had to treat her like I would treat any other actor. And I did, for the most part.”
A Momentary Sibling Squabble
Despite their best intentions, the natural sibling dynamic eventually surfaced toward the end of production. Dakota recounted a particularly heated moment during a scene filmed in a sweltering room:
“It was like this really hot room and we were on this couch, and I was like, ‘Move your leg!’ And she was like, ‘My leg has been here all day.’ I was like, ‘No, it hasn’t. Get off of me. I’m too hot. You’re sweating on me.’ She was like, ‘You’re sweating on me!’ I was like, ‘Stop talking!’”
According to Dakota, the crew found the brief, relatable flare-up between the sisters quite amusing.
About the Film
In The Nightingale, which also lists the Fanning sisters as co-producers, they portray Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol. The plot follows the sisters as they navigate different paths of resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. The cast also includes Academy Award winner Mark Rylance, who plays their father, Julien Rossignol. The film is currently scheduled for release on March 19, 2027.