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Through a thoughtful interview, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it would air on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

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 jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for 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 specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Encounter

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

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. 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 stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source 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 stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.