“I LOVE THE JOURNEY MY CHARACTER GOES ON, AND THE FACT THE CASTING WAS IRRESPECTIVE OF COLOUR”
WHAT DREW YOU TO OUR KIND OF TRAITOR?
Susanna White – having very few female directors, I was excited to have the experience of working with one. I’m also a huge fan of Gail Egan, she’s a fantastic producer. I thought it would create a different kind of energy on set, one I wasn’t used to. Also, I love the script and the journey my character goes on, and the fact the casting happened in a way that was irrespective of colour – my character could have been any colour, but they chose the actress who they thought represented her qualities best. YOUR CHARACTER, GAIL, IS PARTICULARLY RESOLUTE AND BRAVE, EVEN MORE SO THAN HER PARTNER, PERRY (PLAYED BY EWAN MCGREGOR). WAS THAT HOW THE ROLE CAME TO YOU? Yes, I think Gail was always like that. The issue that was explored in the script – which is a very fascinating one that hasn’t been explored in other films – is the issue of women being more successful than men, how a man copes being married to a woman who is far more successful than him career-wise, whether that emasculates him and how he tries to redress that balance. This wild adventure that they go on is his way of reclaiming his masculinity. IS IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THOSE KINDS OF ROLES IN THE INDUSTRY? It’s very difficult and it’s highly unusual; that’s another reason why it was a fascinating project.
THE FILM JUMPS AROUND A LOT – MARRAKECH, PARIS, LONDON, SWITZERLAND AND THE FRENCH ALPS… Yes, we went all over the world! I think we went through about 50 different locations. We went all over the place – it was a real adventure. HAVING WORKED ACROSS FILM, TV AND THEATRE, WHICH DO YOU FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING? I definitely find theatre the most challenging. I don’t really like having an audience. I’ve been working in front of the camera since I was nine years old, so that’s what I’m used to and that’s what I’m most comfortable with. I find when I have an audience, it’s very distracting; it’s very difficult to create your own imaginary world with an audience there because it breaks that wall you create as an actor. DOES IT PUT PRESSURE ON YOU TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME?
Well, you have to because there is no second time, or chance. It all happens in the moment. WITH THAT IN MIND, DO YOU SEE SOCIAL MEDIA AS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE? YOU’RE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM, BUT ARE THEY NECESSARY EVILS? I think if I wasn’t doing the job I’m doing, I certainly wouldn’t have Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. It’s not my thing because I’m a very private person. But I have a job that’s very public and I do feel it’s important for getting in contact with fans, answering their questions and being connected to them. YOU’RE KNOWN AS MUCH FOR YOUR PERSONAL STYLE AS YOU ARE FOR YOUR FILMS, AND YOU’RE ALWAYS ON BEST-DRESSED LISTS. WHAT KIND OF APPROACH DO YOU HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO RED-CARPET DRESSING? I have a stylist, Nola Singer, and we started working together four years ago. She’s the only reason I end up on best-dressed lists; she’s just phenomenal. When we started off she was just my friend and she said, “I could help you in the fashion department.” It wasn’t even what she did at the time – she’s a jewellery designer – so it started out as a favour and then it became her career. She styles other people as well now. She’s just absolutely brilliant, so I really take no credit for that, it’s all Nola. q
Our Kind Of Traitor is in cinemas on July 14