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Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays the monarch 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, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. 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 took away from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from 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?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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 brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times 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 opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from success. With success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.