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

During a recent conversation, acclaimed performer Fiona Shaw opened up about her varied professional experiences covering many years and memorable characters.

The Impactful Andor Monologue

While talking about her memorable funeral speech in the Disney+ show Andor, Shaw disclosed that the original script contained more explicit wording. "I did say a different word in my speech," she clarified, "and the writer wanted the studio would approve it."

The performer described the unique filming conditions for this specific moment. "When I performed that speech, I was recorded with about 200 cameras for making a hologram. I was completely alone in a massive studio, with no director nor crew members there with me."

Jane Austen Adaptations

Speaking about the forthcoming screen version of Jane Austen's classic novel, Shaw shared enthusiasm about finishing production. "We've just finished shooting it," she stated, "though performers rarely witness is the final film."

The actress commended filmmaker Georgia Oakley as "really lovely and quite confident." The production took place in stunning houses throughout Britain, including sites within Dorset, Knebworth, and Devonshire.

Shaw also reflected on her earlier performance in the 1995 adaptation of Austen's Persuasion, portraying Mrs. Croft. "Our filmmaker had particular demands: without hairpieces and only candlelight," she remembered. "He genuinely wanted to recreate the feeling of nineteenth-century existence."

Harry Potter Memories

In response to questions regarding her time in the Harry Potter franchise, Shaw talked warmly about working with the late Richard Griffiths. "He represented the most elegant, artistic and gifted man," she shared. "He possessed the most mellifluous handwriting and once sent me a note inviting me to lunch in ornate gothic script."

The actress portrayed Griffiths as constantly speaking and telling interesting stories with herself and the child performers on set. "He had fantastic general knowledge so we would sit enthralled to his stories."

Stage Performances

Talking about her New York stage role in Medea, Shaw remembered how psychologically challenging the production was. "I encountered one of the chorus members several years after, who said: 'I'm not over it yet,'" she disclosed.

The production had an extensive run, starting in Dublin, then traveling to England, followed by the American capital, the New York venue, and ultimately Manhattan. "We grew very close as a company," she added.

Performance Philosophy

When questioned about her ability to transition between humor and seriousness, Shaw clarified that "humor unites people as it's about breaking conventions." Nevertheless, she confessed that "the night before a comedy, I always rest badly, because you have to catch the wave during performance."

Concerning her technique for tackling various roles, Shaw commented: "I discover each one difficult. But even if the person you're playing is quite distant from you, there is frequently some aspect about them that you identify with."

Current Projects

Discussing her latest role in Hot Milk, Shaw characterized her character Rose as "a difficult person but you can't play anything from that perspective." She explained that Rose experiences a nervous system condition that causes mobility issues.

"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 both benign and blind. Perhaps that's what many people resemble."

Self-Perception

When told that audiences perceive her ideal as gang boss roles, Shaw responded with humor: "Goodness me! I'm so not scary. But perhaps when filled with intention, my features can appear threatening."

The actress continued: "In reality 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. Please don't fear – approach and greet me!"

Love for Language

Discussing her renowned performance of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, Shaw expressed her profound relationship with language and poetry. "My heart is always in the language," she stated, "since the indicators to everything are contained within the choice of words."

The actress thinks that "poetry represents the refined version of language, or the instant that's been preserved." When people reduce to what they truly want to say, it's often poetic."

Audiobook Work

Concerning her praised spoken-word performances, specifically Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Shaw revealed that "I enjoyed recording Alice in Wonderland because I included all my acquaintances into it – my friends and other actors."

The actress explained how she performed the caterpillar as channeling Alan Rickman, and characterized the Red Queen as reminiscent of Geraldine McEwan. "It consistently feels a honor to record and perform literature," she finished, "despite needing days and days of work."

Working with Terrence Malick

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

The actress recounted a specific recollection of their first meeting: "He left a message on my answering machine which said, 'I wonder, would you assist me 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 exotic choice in the world."

The actress also described Malick's unusual approach of asking actors "Do you want to do this scene inside or outside?" – questions rarely posed by different directors. "He only employed natural light," she continued, "so you could either perform inside by a window or outside on the street."

Concerning the extensive editing process, Shaw revealed that "The director requires about three years to complete the movie. I had been told by the producer after two years that I was likely among 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 constructs this massive framework, and he takes away many components. He fundamentally dismantles films."