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Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my growing up, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

Which questions get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

What’s the most chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

During my time in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.