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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. If you don’t know 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 secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe 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 stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Encounter

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

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was 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: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source 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 settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, 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. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.