For an actor, a missed line or a stumble on opening night can feel like a disaster. But for one performer, such moments have become profound lessons. Reflecting on a past theatre production, she recalls a moment where she jumped ahead in the script. A glance at her scene partner, who calmly guided them back, taught her the vital importance of trust and presence within an ensemble. “Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction,” she notes, suggesting that a misstep can, in fact, be a surprising gift.
This philosophy of embracing the unpredictable extends to her experiences on film sets abroad. Working on a production in Brazil presented a radically different approach, where schedules were fluid and plans often came together at the last possible moment. Despite the initial chaos, including unexpected interruptions like a producer opening champagne mid-scene, the project ultimately succeeded, demonstrating that there are many valid ways to create.
Her work in a major fantasy film franchise continues to resonate deeply, particularly with female fans who share how a specific character provided strength and inspiration during their formative years. While appreciative of this lasting impact, she finds a more lighthearted, recurring curiosity from fans fixates on a single, infamous prop: a notably unappetising bowl of stew featured in an extended scene. She recounts with amusement the meticulous effort the props department invested to make the concoction look authentically dreadful, down to details like red cotton threads meant to resemble veins.
Beyond the sets and screens, life offers its own awkward moments. A chance encounter at a pilates class led to a case of mistaken identity and subsequent star-struck embarrassment, proving that even seasoned actors aren’t immune to flustered encounters.
When asked about the origin of her name, she clarifies a long-standing myth: it was inspired not by Shakespeare, but by a Sydney suburb her mother heard mentioned on the radio. As for paths not taken, she speculates that her aptitude for numbers might have led her to a career in mathematics or accounting had acting not called.
She holds onto a piece of advice from her school years that has proven invaluable: “Don’t be afraid to fail.” The insight that more is learned from failure than from success has guided a career built on presence, trust, and a willingness to find the spark when things, delightfully, go the wrong way.