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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature 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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From 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 with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching 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 stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

What do you get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, 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 scene. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.