The Actress Fiona Shaw Discusses Her Career: From Star Wars to Wizarding World

In a recent interview, acclaimed performer Fiona Shaw shared insights about her diverse career spanning multiple decades and memorable characters.

The Impactful Andor Monologue

When discussing her memorable funeral speech in the Disney+ show Andor, Shaw revealed that the original script contained stronger language. "I actually spoke a distinct term in my speech," she explained, "while the screenwriter hoped that Disney would approve it."

The performer detailed the unique filming conditions for this specific moment. "When I performed that speech, I was recorded with about 200 cameras to create a hologram. I was entirely by myself in a massive studio, with no director nor crew members there with me."

Jane Austen Adaptations

Regarding the upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, Shaw shared enthusiasm about the completed filming. "We've just finished shooting it," she mentioned, "though performers typically doesn't see is the final film."

The actress commended filmmaker Georgia Oakley as "really lovely and very assured." The filming took place in beautiful estates across the UK, including locations in Dorset, Knebworth, and Devonshire.

Shaw also reflected on her earlier performance in the nineties version of Austen's Persuasion, playing Mrs. Croft. "The director had specific requirements: without hairpieces and just candle illumination," she recalled. "He truly aimed to capture the experience of nineteenth-century existence."

Wizarding World Reflections

In response to questions regarding her time in the wizarding film series, Shaw talked warmly about working with the late Richard Griffiths. "He represented the most refined, creative and talented man," she shared. "He possessed the most mellifluous handwriting and on one occasion mailed me a note inviting me to lunch in elaborate gothic lettering."

She described Griffiths as continuously talking and telling interesting stories with herself and the young actors on set. "He had remarkable worldly understanding so we would sit enthralled by his tales."

Theatrical Work

Discussing her Broadway performance in Medea, Shaw remembered how psychologically challenging the production was. "I encountered one of the chorus members three years later, who said: 'I'm not over it yet,'" she disclosed.

This theatrical work had an extensive run, starting in Dublin, then traveling to England, followed by Washington DC, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and ultimately Manhattan. "We grew very close as a company," she noted.

Performance Philosophy

When questioned about her capacity to move between comedy and drama, Shaw explained that "humor unites people as it's about rupturing the norm." Nevertheless, she confessed that "prior to a comedy, I always sleep poorly, because you have to catch the wave on the day."

Concerning her method for approaching different characters, Shaw commented: "I discover each one challenging. But even if the character you're portraying is rather different from you, there is often something about them that you identify with."

Current Projects

Discussing her recent performance in Hot Milk, Shaw described her character Rose as "a difficult person but you can't play anything from that viewpoint." The actress elaborated that Rose experiences a functional neurological disorder that makes walking difficult.

"The character doesn't realize of the impact she has on her daughter," Shaw observed. "Her only concern is that she desires to get better. She's well-intentioned yet unaware. Maybe this represents what many people resemble."

Self-Perception

Upon hearing that viewers consider her perfect for authority figure characters, Shaw answered with amusement: "Goodness me! I'm so not scary. But perhaps when filled with purpose, my features can appear formidable."

She added: "I am in life sometimes quite scatty so perhaps it's therapeutic for me to play highly intellectual, methodical personalities. I try to depict fascinating individuals so I never judge them. Don't be scared – approach and greet me!"

Love for Language

Talking about her renowned performance of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, Shaw expressed her profound relationship with language and poetry. "I'm consistently devoted in the language," she declared, "because the clues to everything are contained within the choice of words."

The actress thinks that "poetry represents the polished form of language, or the moment that has been captured." As individuals boil down to what they truly want to say, it's often poetic."

Voice Recording

Concerning her praised spoken-word performances, particularly the classic Alice in Wonderland, Shaw shared that "I enjoyed recording Alice in Wonderland because I incorporated all my acquaintances into it – personal companions and other actors."

The actress explained how she performed the caterpillar as channeling Alan Rickman, and portrayed the Red Queen as reminiscent of Geraldine McEwan. "It consistently feels a honor to record and perform literature," she concluded, "though it requires extended periods of work."

Collaborating with the Director

Recalling her experience working with celebrated filmmaker Terrence Malick on his film Tree of Life, Shaw described him as distinctive. "All that the director says and does is different," she noted.

She shared a particular memory of their first meeting: "He left a message on my answering machine which said, 'I wonder, would you come and help with my film?' We went out for breakfast. He said, 'Well, what are you going to have?' I said, 'I'm going to have scrambled eggs.' He said, 'I think I'll have scrambled eggs too,' like it was the most unusual selection in the world."

The actress also described Malick's distinctive method of asking actors "Would you prefer to do this scene indoors or outdoors?" – questions rarely posed by different directors. "He only employed natural light," she continued, "meaning actors could perform interior near glass or outside on the street."

Concerning the extensive editing process, Shaw disclosed that "He takes approximately three years to complete the movie. I had heard from the producer after two years that I was probably one of the main characters, but by the time the film came out, I was nearly gone."

The actress finished by describing Malick's distinctive approach: "He builds this massive framework, and he removes most elements. He essentially deconstructs films."