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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

What’s been your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

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

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman 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 unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from success. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.