Check out some interesting and quirky things Felicity has said about her role in a movie or about her life.
“Of everything I have done, The Archers always gets the most excitement; there’s a sort of uncontrollable joy from fans of the programme.”
“Acting has always existed alongside my normal life. It’s been a case of learning on the job. I’ve worked in so many styles, with so many people, so I’ve picked bits up from everyone and everything.”
(About Brideshead Revisited) “It’s beautiful – Cordelia is absolutely insane. She’s a very sprightly young girl who is very different from anyone else I have played. And we wear lovely costumes as it covers the period of 1925 to 1935.”
(About filming Cape Wrath) “Everyday I learnt so much from my TV family. I couldn’t have asked for a better ensemble to work with and I was constantly surprised by their spontaneity and creativity. I loved shooting the family scenes so much because everyone had such a distinctive way of working.”
“People think [Jane] Austen is a lot more romantic and straightforward than she actually is. She is quite practical about love and relationships – she’s very measured about who people should marry.”
(About her role on Servants) “Sometimes, acting feels like really long hours but then you look at the length of the servant’s day and it’s humble pie time. Still, we’ve all had great fun making this drama – I’ll be sorry when filming ends. I’ve even got used to wearing a corset 10 hours a day. I shall miss all the fun and games we’ve had on and off set.”
(About her future roles) “I’d love to play Juliet while I’m still young and uncorrupted enough to capture that youthful essence. I’m interested in all forms of performance, yet I think it’s difficult to be as equally talented in all of them as they call for such different skills. At the moment, I still feel I’m learning and want as much experience and variety as possible.”
“A lot of my time is spent watching films and reading scripts. And it can be all-consuming. And it’s obviously something I’m fortunate that is both my work and my hobby. It’s what I would naturally be doing anyway.”
“Fashion choices are never arbitrary. Even if you say you don’t care, that’s a decision. There’s something you’re trying to say.”
“I’m not a huge jewelry fan.”
“When you’re a young actor, there’s this pressure to rush. But I hope to be doing this into my sixties and seventies, so I’d prefer to take my time.”
“There’s so much of a desire in the entertainment industry for newness, a desire to build somebody up and then treat them as old news within six months. I think you’d be naive if you didn’t try to hold on to your own way of doing things.”
“You have to be brave and not always play likeable people. It’s difficult, because there’s a demand for the hero or heroine to be very likeable.”
“I would love to play a … [drifts off for a second, and laughs] I was thinking I’d like to play a snake. But no, not a snake. I’d like to play a superhero, something very different. I think the main trap not to fall into as an actress is not to play the love interest too much. You have to make sure that there’s a character there, something to get your teeth into; otherwise there’s no point doing it.”
(on her “Like Crazy” character) “I like playing someone who wasn’t cautious, who was in the moment and made impulsive decisions, which is what attracted me to her in the first place. I think you’re attracted to things that are different from yourself in a character because it’s more interesting, and you get to play out a fantasy version of yourself.”
“The key is working with great directors. A film is so many different people and all their talents, but particularly the directors, because of the idiosyncrasies of that person.”
I’m used to doing independent film where the style is a lot more casual. With improvising you obviously find so much out on the day – and in a way, I feel more comfortable doing that. That’s the reason I wanted to do ‘The Invisble Woman’. It’s such a different style of performance. Well, there are lines for a start..With every film that you do you’re always so nervous. You feel exposed because you know people will see this eventually. You sort of have to put all that out of your head. What will be will be. But it’s nerve wracking.
(on taking the role in The Amazing Spider-Man 2) Who knows what it will be, but I just love the idea of doing something on that scale. I like to go see those films as well as small indies. As an actor you have a freedom. I love films that are about people. You can still take interesting stories about people in a larger scale. “Batman” is still about a character. It’s working with the right people. It’s believing in the actors and the director around you.
(on working with Ralph Fiennes) At first you’re, like, ‘Oh my God – it’s Ralph Fiennes.’ But I found working with him very straightforward. He’s not pretentious at all, and he doesn’t patronize you in any way. I’ve grown up watching his work and love the passion with which he plays every part. I find the people who are really great at what they do are extraordinarily humble people.
