BETWEEN TAKES
THE SURFACE STAR TALKS PAINTING AND POWER-NAPS.
What’s the first thing you do when you arrive on set?
Usually, when I arrive in my trailer, I put the kettle on [laughs]. I maybe light a scented candle and figure out my playlist for the morning. If I’ve got extra time, I’ll roll out my yoga mat. But usually, things are run with military precision.
What do you take on set with you?
I always have music with me. It depends on the vibe of the set, and the vibe of the role, and what’s required. Sometimes you want to tune into something for a scene, and sometimes you want to tune out all the hectic moving around and the crew energy.
Hot or cold lunch?
Always hot, for sure. It depends on the catering, and also where I am. I was just filming in Belfast, and it was really cold some of the time. So sometimes I’d order rum to warm me up on the freezing sets. But then we were also filming in Italy for three weeks – in Venice, and in Trieste and places by the sea where you’ve got to have the catch of the day.
Do you ever sleep on set?
Oh, God, no. I wish I could. I feel like it’s such a skill. I just worked with Kevin Hart who’s a master power-napper, and is able to go back to a trailer and just zonk out for like 20 minutes. I sometimes try, and put my legs up the wall, and do a yoga restful pose. And I try to at least lie down. But I very rarely get to a deep sleep. I might get to just nodding off, and someone’s knocking on the door.
Best on-set experience?
Working on Surface was one of my best on-set experiences, because it’s such an amazing story and role. I was also an executive producer for the first time. To be a part of the process from such an early stage was incredible. Going to Vancouver and it being the summer it’s such a beautiful place to be. And with amazing castmates like Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Marianne JeanBaptiste and Stephan James. Everyone really bonded.
And the worst on-set experience?
I wouldn’t say it was a bad experience, but I would say it was a challenging experience, some of the underwater scenes that we have in Surface. I was learning to do breath holds, and working with free divers. But I really enjoy stunts. And another great thing that I got to work on, on Surface, which I’d love to do more of, was horse riding, and getting to work with the amazing horse stunt team. So I’ve got my eye on a western next, maybe. We’ll see.
What’s the longest day you’ve ever spent on set?
It’s probably not legal! I remember, one of my first jobs in America, I think I did something like 19 hours on the same day where we were filming. And then I also had to do some publicity, some breakfasty show. I was kind of delirious. That was pretty bonkers. I don’t even know if that’s allowed any more.
Most memorable end-of-shoot gift?
It’s at the top of my brain because it was two days ago – I painted a portrait of Kevin Hart as a wrap gift. I’ve been painting a lot more since the pandemic, and have done a lot of portraits. The one I did of George Floyd was auctioned for charity. And because our film is actually about an art heist, and it’s all about art, that was a fun gift, because he developed an interest in art during the shoot.
What’s the best wrap party you’ve ever been to?
It seems like they’ve been outlawed since the pandemic. It’s so boring. I haven’t been to one for ages. I had a really fun time at the wrap party for The Morning Show a couple of years ago. Because my character had quite a sad and intense journey, I was just really happy to see everyone again. That’s probably the last wrap party I went to, pre-pandemic. It was so nice to see everyone and all my castmates, and just be in a joyful spirit! SURFACE PREMIERES ON APPLE TV+ ON 29 JULY.
‘ONE OF MY FIRST JOBS IN AMERICA, I THINK I DID SOMETHING LIKE 19 HOURS ON THE SAME DAY’