Boltt relishes villain role
Actress Nathalie Boltt says Riverdale co-star KJ Apa helps her feel less home sick in Vancouver, writes
Fleur Mealing.
Nathalie Boltt has been missing fish and chips on the beach with her husband and son. The Riverdale actress is originally from South Africa but it’s her adopted home of New Zealand she’s missing as she films the Netflix hit Riverdale in Vancouver, Canada.
Boltt has lived in Wellington since she moved there in 2008 for work.
Her husband, Philip, has worked in motion editing for Peter Jackson at Weta Digital and Boltt has starred in several New Zealand productions including District 9 and Step Dave.
Last year, the couple and their son temporarily relocated to Vancouver for Philip’s work on War for the Planet of the Apes.
Boltt decided to test the water for acting jobs and sent off her acting reel to talent agencies.
‘‘I had heard that Vancouver was really busy and they had a lot of productions and so I sent off my reel... that is when I got Riverdale,’’ Boltt said.
For the past year, Boltt has been working on the set for Riverdale, the show based on the Archie Comics she grew up reading.
‘‘I was a huge fan of Archie comics, we got them in South Africa and I used to run off to the local dairy and buy a lolly and some Archie comics.
‘‘It is sort of weird to see this squeaky clean child obsession now mixed-up with a more adult world,’’ said Boltt.
The new Riverdale showcases clever dialogue, contemporary references and lots of gorgeous teenagers with more on their minds than relationships.
‘‘It feels like quite a feminist show to me because all of the women have really powerful story lines so it’s really not the 50s/60s comic books that it was,’’ Boltt said.
As the show progresses you are drawn in to the twisted town of Riverdale with its moody and mysterious vibe.
Despite being away from New Zealand Boltt admits that it has still felt like home for one reason: KJ Apa.
Auckland-born Apa has gone from the small screens of Shortland Street to the big time of Riverdale as the lead character, Archie Andrews.
‘‘He brings that Kiwi vibe with him that keeps everyone in good spirits and I think it just shows how we do things in New Zealand, which is without much fuss,’’ Boltt said.
Boltt admitted the pair have a lot of
Weiner
fun on set together and that the cast are only just getting used to them slipping back into their normal accents.
Despite Apa being notorious for saying ‘‘shot boy!’’ on set, Boltt said the show benefits from having a truly down-to-earth person like him in the lead.
As well as Riverdale showcasing some great Kiwi talent, Boltt was excited to be a part of a cast with some of the 90s TV greats.
Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club), Luke Perry (Beverly Hills 90210) and Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks) are also among the cast.
They all play parents – as does Boltt, who plays Penelope, the evil mother of Cheryl.
When Penelope first arrived in the show, there was a huge fan response: ‘‘It is the first time I have played a real villain so I feel privileged that I get to play a character that invokes such fury in the story.’’
Riverdale has already been renewed for a second season, which will see Boltt return to Vancouver for the summer season shoot.
‘‘There is so much focus on the entertainment industry when you are in these places [Los Angeles and Vancouver] which is great but then to be able to go back home to New Zealand and have a break from that intensity is quite healthy.’’
If you are yet to tune into Riverdale, here’s Boltt’s pitch: ‘‘Riverdale has a good atmospheric, mysterious vibe to it. It is quite unique in the way you don’t realise you are watching television. It is exciting dark and sexy.’’
"He brings that Kiwi vibe with him that keeps everyone in good spirits..." Nathalie Boltt about co-star KJ Apa
airs Fridays on Netflix New Zealand, with new episodes available weekly.
Riverdale boyfriend, Riley’s film uses audio recordings to chart the rises and falls and contradictions of the charismatic star of On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Godfather.
The Neon Demon Saturday, 8.30pm, Rialto