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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single 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 younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the whole thing about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the ingredients that constituted 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. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have 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?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements 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 be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.