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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

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

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away 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 as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for 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 question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, 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 think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium 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 turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.