CULTURE

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY STAR LUCY BOYNTON ON PLAYING MARY AUSTIN AND HER JOURNEY IN ACTING

PHOTOGRAPY AND INTERVIEW

by TATIJANA SHOAN

WEB EDIT

by JEENA SHARMA

Miu Miu orange floral dress and burgundy scarf I Charlotte Olympia Hippodrome shoes I David Yurman pearl necklace with diamonds I Lalique cabochon ring in hand painted amber crystal

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Was Mary Freddie’s muse?

I don’t love the title of muse; it’s a slightly reductive term for what they were to each other. To me, muse implies a kind of creative distance, whereas everything that he wrote for her and wrote about her was due to the respect and love he had for her. They had a very a unique and really intimate relationship. So, I think the term muse takes away from what they were.

Did this role have specific challenges?

Portraying a living person is, of course, always much more challenging and daunting than playing a fictional character who you can take full ownership of. You have to navigate a balance between your duty to portray them in as honest a way as possible, while somehow remaining respectfully un-intrusive, so it was incredibly reassuring to have Brian May and Roger Taylor on set and watching over it all as frequently as we did.

You have another film to follow Bohemian Rhapsody, the Apostle, which takes place in 1905 about a kidnapping by a mysterious religious cult; quite a departure from Bohemian Rhapsody. Can you tell me about this film, your role in it, and how you think audiences will react seeing you in two very different films?

Gareth Evans wrote and directed the film, and he has such a brilliant mind. In Apostle I play Andrea who is the daughter of the cult leader, played by the bloody brilliant Michael Sheen, and as the film progresses is faced with the dark and more sinister truths of this cult to put it lightly! I actually saw it for the first time a couple of weeks ago and had to watch through my fingers, there is a lot more blood than I remember. It’s exciting having two films coming out that could not be more different. The actors and actresses who I admire the most have always been those who are able to chameleon from role to role, who have found a balance in doing starkly different projects and characters. I think that’s one of the most exciting and appealing aspects of this job so that’s what I hope to steer more towards.

Jil Sander pullover and skirt I Ben Amun three row pearl multi-color crystal and stone drop necklace | Sophia Webster Iris sandal | Charlotte Olympia Circus Maggie bootie

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Getting into character is a very deep, emotional journey. How do you separate your personal life from the life you have taken onto play?

How you choose to get into character for each different role is always quite an instinctive process, it usually unfolds during rehearsals, and especially when you get into full hair, makeup, and costume, and you can physically step into that other person and other self. So, I think in the same way physically stepping out of the character at the end of the filming day aids the internal departure from the character too.

I would imagine that as a young child having the opportunity to act would feel like the ultimate game of pretend. Now, as an adult, you are offered deeper and richer roles. Was there such a transition for you from playing make-believe to how you approach the craft today?

I guess I’m learning how to approach each job more diligently now. I never had any formal training so every set and every job has been my education. So, I was kind of winging it as a kid! I would watch how everyone around me was doing it and hoped I’d get better and surer of myself with each job. Whereas now I can appreciate the craft much more, I have a better understanding of how to prepare for a role and how different that can look from character to character, how best I work on set, etc. I’m also trying to engage more in gaining a better understanding of the entire process and all its elements. So much of this job can feel out of your hands, so finding ways to work harder and more intricately has been a way of finding more in control.

“I don’t love the title of muse; it’s a slightly reductive term for what they were to each other. To me, muse implies a kind of creative distance, whereas everything that he wrote for her and wrote about her was due to the respect and love he had for her.”

Acting school is a big thing in London, it’s a commitment, and when you attend school you are more or less forbidden to do acting work outside of school. In America, it’s a very different thing. Tell me about your journey of becoming a seasoned actress, from the time you were cast as a young Beatrix Potter to now?

I’ve been so lucky with the jobs I’ve done and the people I’ve worked with that it’s felt like a really thorough and thrilling education. It’s been interesting to see the contrasting ways everyone works and try to navigate my version of that.

I recently started watching, Gypsy on Netflix, which stars Naomi Watts who plays a therapist. Yet, I was completely gripped by your performance as a pill addicted kid in a bad relationship. In your first scene those few minutes on the couch in Naomi’s office was so convincing that if someone told me I was watching a documentary I’d believe them. You were so truthful and embodied this person. Tell me about this role?

Gypsy was a very different experience for me, I’d never done a series, so to get to explore a character in such depth and stay with them and develop them further was so satisfying. All of my scenes were quite intimate with Naomi and Shiloh who are both so deeply present and collaborative, which gave me the freedom of experimentation that immediately makes “getting into character” that much more accessible.

You are a New York City born girl, who grew up in London. What city do you most identify with and do you see yourself living back here one day?

I’ve always wanted to move back to New York, but as I get older, every time I return to London, it feels more and more like home and I feel more and more appreciative for everything that it is. I feel very much like a London girl, so for now I want to call London home.

Alena Akhmadullina Check dress | Andy Wolf Adele glasses| David Yurman Amulet vehicle necklace, albion pendant with champagne citrine, chatelaine pave bezel ring with morganite, novella long earrings in topaz, tanzanite and diamonds | Kim Mee Hye Blossom ring with ruby 

ERDEM Olwen dotted floral metallic jacquard dress, floral metallic jacquard shoes, and polka dot socks | David Yurman Continuance pearl cocktail ring with diamonds | Wellesley ring with diamonds | Ben Amun Chandelier clip earrings

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Prabal Gurung Pity and Raspberry embroidered sequin dress | Marlo Laz Arrow earrings with diamonds, iolite, and tanzanite | David Yurman Albion ring with turquoise | Sophia Webster Dulcie sandal

SHOP LUCY BOYNTON’S LOOKS

“I’ve always wanted to move back to New York, but as I get older, every time I return to London, it feels more and more like home and I feel more and more appreciative for everything that it is.”

Brock Collection Dharma Dress | David Yurman pearl necklace with diamonds | Renaissance bracelet I Cable Classic bracelet with blue topaz and diamonds; Cable Classic bracelet with citrine and diamonds | Sophia Webster Dulcie sandal

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