Interview by Tristan Dyer
With such an array of archived work under your belt, what is it that you look for in a script to take on a new role?
I don’t like to paint the same picture twice, I always look for those subtle dynamics woven within the story and backstory. I like to play multifaceted characters, find those nuisance’s and subtle shifts in the character.
I like characters who develop over time, you learn more about them through their relationships with other characters and you as a viewer are always left wanting to know more about them.
Something I can really develop and discover - I found that so brilliantly done with the character Mary Robbins in the new I,Jack Wright series, you learn more and more about through her dynamics and interactions with others , it leaves you wanting more. And each episode uncovers more and more about her.
Can you recall the first time you were drawn to acting and when was it?
It’s always been there, I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be performing in some way.
I was 3 or 4 when I first started entering talent shows on our family holidays, I don’t know a world without it.
I do feel acting is in your DNA , it completely makes up who you are and I don’t know life without it, it’s just me.
Photo by Jacquetta Clark
Focusing on your current murder mystery that is airing, ’I, Jack Wright’, what can viewers expect as the season unfolds?
It really is such a great show. Viewers can expect wonderfully crafted characters and character dynamics, relationships between characters that really shock, many OMG moments, broken family dynamics, greed, power play, and a genius ‘who dunnit’- it has some laugh out loud moments and some moments that are deeply moving, I think it’s a show everyone can really get hooked on.
A proper binge worthy glorious web of family dynamics with a murder thrown in!
What preparation did you have to undergo to embody your character ‘Mary Robbins’ in I, Jack Wright and do you bring a piece of yourself to the role at all?
I think I always bring something of myself to every role, we all have individual and unique experiences of the world which allows us to see the world in certain ways, so something of yourself has to be in every character, subtly hidden but there, that’s how you play the truth.
Mary is a great character, she’s complex, she unravels more about herself in each episode.
Prep for her is about knowing her backstory, her life likes it’s part of my DNA. I know everything about her, who she is, where she fits within the Wright family, what her relationships are with all the other characters in the story, how she feels about each and everyone of them.
It’s all about the prep.
Photo by Jacquetta Clark
With the enthused younger generation looking up to you, what would you tell them to focus on to succeed in the industry?
Focus on what you CAN control. I’ve learnt that there are so many factors of the industry you cannot control, it’s never personal, just focus on what you can do and that is your best. Prepare, learn from others, focus and be the best you can.
How did you feel being asked to be on the honourable Guardian Newspapers Pride Power list and what do you think the future looks like for LGBTQIA+ actors?
I've always lived as my authentic self, I don’t know any other way to be, and with that has come that recognition, I never sought it but it’s been an honour to be seen for me just being me.
I feel there are more LGBTQI characters being seen in the media, I remember when I didn’t see any representation on screen at all, so we have come along way.
I would love for more LGBTQI stories to be created by queer writers, producers and directors, telling those authentic stories, it’s important that representation continues to flourish.
Photo by Jacquetta Clark
What do you value most about being an actor?
I love being able to create and tell stories, stepping into different worlds of the characters and truthfully connecting to them, transforming into a character is one of the best feelings, when you truly connect to a character, there is no feeling like it.
I love telling stories that engage, entertain, challenge and are truthful. I love pushing my own boundaries as an actor and take on challenging complicated and difficult roles.
I love what I do, it really is the greatest job in the world.
Are nerves something you deal with and what are your tactics to channeling them when preparing to be on set?
Gosh yes! All the time!
A really lovely moment on set of I, Jack Wright was my first day. It was the big funeral and wake scenes , so almost the entire cast were in and what was so lovely that it was most of the other actors first day too,so we were all meeting each other for the first time and in the same boat.
In this series there are some serious acting legends , some who have been acting for decades, what was lovely to hear is that they too have first day nerves, first meeting nerves, - it broke the ice beautifully and makes you realise every actor,no matter how many credits to their name, how many awards on their shelves ,they still get first day nerves.
The nerves will never go away, it’s good to have them, but knowing everyone else is feeling those exact nerves, it helps manage them.
Photo by Jacquetta Clark
What have been some of the greatest challenges you have faced during your career and how have you conquered them?
When I was in my early 20’s I played Desdemona in Othello for about 9 months on the London stage, I really struggled to take that character off, she stayed with me for the run and longer.
For 6 shows a week for 9 months, Desdemona and myself went on an emotional rollercoaster, she was killed every night and she stayed with me, her pain, her turmoil stayed with me for months after the run had ended. It was hard.
After that time I had to train myself how to not loose myself completely in a role, she totally consumed me.
All these years and characters later, emotionally charged characters stay with me, but I now have a process to remove them every night and protect my emotional and mental well-being. It’s important to learn and train yourself how to take them off ..
If you could predict your future, where do you think you will be in 10 years?
That’s tricky as the landscape of the industry is constantly changing.
But I know I will continue playing multifaceted roles and continue bringing truthful complex characters to life on screen.
A BAFTA would be nice too ;)
Here is to manifesting that!
Victoria Broom - Represented by Olivia Cheung at JadeEAST PR
Writer/Interview Tristan Dyer @tristandyer
Photographer Jacquetta Clark @jacquettaclark
Wardrobe Stylist Andrew Burling @andrewburling
Grooming Selen Hurer @selenhurer_makeup
