We spoke to the award-winning Irish actress about her latest Netflix show and what she misses most about home when working abroad
Massive congratulations on your recent IFTA win! What went through your mind when your name was read out as the Screen Ireland Rising Star in a room full of your peers?
“It was such a great night celebrating Irish TV and film with a lot of my friends and people who I’ve admired for a long time, so just being there was incredibly special. To hear my name being read out was a big surprise, especially considering the talent in the category but it was a very lovely acknowledgement and one I’m really grateful for.”
Your CV to date includes some pretty dark characters and subject matter – are you drawn to drama more than comedy and if so, why?
“I have definitely played a lot of dark and complicated characters but oftentimes they exist within a comedic world. I’m not sure I could say I have a preference. If a script is good enough, I don’t care what the genre is. I often find the best stories are hard to pigeonhole by genre – they can contain a multitude and are comfortable breaking the rules.”
You’ve worked with some huge names in your career already including Ralph Fiennes and Will Forte – do you get starstruck or does it become a normal working relationship after a while?
“I have been really lucky to get to work with some amazing people. You soon realise that they have the same concerns and passion for the work as any jobbing actor and are keen to establish a working relationship with all their colleagues. Having said that, I have definitely had some moments where I’ve found myself admiring their work as a fan rather than a scene partner!”
Which actor or director would you love to work with?
“I would love to work with Lenny Abrahamson. I think he is a genius with such a distinct style and sensibility. He has directed some of my favourite films and being on one of his sets would no doubt be a masterclass.”
Tell us about filming your new Netflix series Bodkin
[Bodkin is a dark comedic thriller about a motley crew of podcasters who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in a quaint, coastal Irish town]
“It was a brilliant experience. We shot for six months in Dublin, Wicklow and West Cork and were lucky enough to gather the best cast and crew who made coming to work a total joy. My character gets herself into quite a few scrapes which meant I had a lot of stunts and action scenes to do, which I loved. And getting to shoot in some of the most beautiful parts of the country was an added bonus!”
Quickfire Questions
– When you’re working abroad, what do you miss most about Ireland?
My family and friends.
– What is your favourite place to visit/go for a holiday in Ireland?
West Cork – I’ve fallen in love with it.
– What is the food that reminds you most of your childhood?
My mam is the best cook and we always had amazing food growing up but the classics like roast chicken and stews will always remind me of family dinners when we were younger.
– If you weren’t an actress, what would you like to do instead?
This is a hard question because if I knew the answer to it, I think I’d be doing that job instead! It would definitely be something creative. I’m really interested in photography and cinematography. When I watch DOPs (Directors of Photography) on set manipulate light and compose a shot, it’s like watching a magician at work. I’m fascinated by it.
– What is your favourite Irish expression or saying?
I use “yer man” a lot and it leads to a load of confusion abroad!
Bodkin is available to watch on Netflix from 9 May.
