ANNA BREWSTER
“The Last Days of American Crime”
Anna Brewster is an English actor. Growing up in Birmingham, she landed her first major role at 16 in “Anita and Me.” Brewster went on to have a successful modeling and acting career (after taking a brief hiatus from acting in her mid-20s). She’s starred in many notable projects, including Showtime’s “The Tudors” and “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.” Her portrayal of Madame de Montespan in the acclaimed series “Versailles” garnered her critical praise and cemented her star status in the industry. In her newest project, “The Last Days of American Crime” (now streaming on Netflix), Brewster plays a criminal hacker in a high stakes heist set in a near-future dystopia. Contentmode spoke with the actor (from her place of quarantine in England) about receiving her big break at a young age, her departure and return to the entertainment industry and what she’s looking forward to.
Q. I’d like to begin the interview by acknowledging that it’s being conducted while we’re learning to live in the new reality of a global pandemic. First and foremost, how are you doing?
A. I’m good. Well, I was okay, but my mood has gone considerably downhill since the killing of George Floyd in America. I’m shocked we still live in a time of such inequality and sheer, blatant racism. The whole situation makes me so sad. Having to stay in a house seems minor compared to everything else going on in the world.
Q. Where are you currently quarantining? How have you been filling your time? What’s been keeping you grounded?
A. I’m staying with a friend and her daughter. There have been lots of ups and downs over the last three months, but they are getting less and less frequent. I’m really trying to spend some time working on myself/ I want to come out of this time a better person in general. It’s been a time of taking stock and thinking a lot. We run most days. I’ve also been watching some great shows and films, which makes me want to get back to work so much. I’m generally trying to make myself useful and be grateful for what I have. It can be easy to get in your head at times like this, but I’m finding gratitude in the small things. I watched a bird singing in the garden last night, haha, I would never have spent the time appreciating that before.
Q. Was there a moment when you decided you wanted to become a performer? What was your first introduction to acting?
A. In all honesty, I fell into it. I actually quit when I was mid 20’s, left all my agents and decided that was the way I would be forced to do something else. Then a casting director at Warner Brothers in LA saw a tape I’d done and got in contact with me through my model agent about a role. Then, next thing I know, I’m in LA reading with Ben Affleck. The movie didn’t happen, but it sucked me back in again, and I realized how much I love what I do. Honestly, the hardest part of my job is the times when you aren’t doing it.
Q. You’re admittedly a shy person. How do you reconcile that aspect of who you are with the very outgoing and vulnerable requirements of acting and being in front of a camera, and therefore, an audience?
A. There is something about taking on a role that is so far removed from your personality that it’s exhilarating. You get to be someone else. I’ve always been shy, but then I get to play someone who isn’t shy. It’s like, okay that’s fun but you can’t just change your nature like that day to day. I am who I am at the end of the day. I think a lot of actors are shy, but put a camera on them and they transform. It’s fascinating.
Q. At 16, you got your first real acting gig in Anita and Me. What was it like to have your first role at such a young age? What did you think about it back then, and what would you tell your younger self now if you could?
A. It was cool, everyone was quite shocked – I was particularly timid at that age. The whole experience was amazing. I remember driving back with my brother from Nottingham to Birmingham on my last day after a night shoot and watching the sun rise out the window and crying, because I think it finally sunk in. It was a massive sense of achievement. The advice I would give back to myself is to be braver. I think I protect myself by not fully letting go.
Q. You worked as a model in the fashion industry for a few years after you moved to London. What did your time in the industry teach you, and have you brought any of those lessons with you as an actor?
A. I had many ups and downs modeling. I was very lucky that I had a good career without being in the limelight, which is great. I had a lot of friends from stylists to photographers, and a lot of the time, it would just be me and my mates doing a shoot, hanging out for the day and getting paid, so it was great. However, when I did bigger jobs, the teams got bigger, the stakes got bigger and it became a lot less fun. Also, at times you just get in your head. When shooting abroad, you wouldn’t understand what the client was saying, but there would be talking behind the camera. I remember extreme anxiety that I wasn’t good enough or they were saying they wish they had hired someone else. I’m sure it wasn’t the case, but you can’t help your mind from wandering.
Q. What’s been the most challenging role you’ve ever portrayed? What’s been the most career-altering?
A. I think Montespan in Versailles. I didn’t realize what a “lead” character she was at the beginning. Then season 2 came along, and I thought, Oh, okay, I have a story to tell here. In many ways, I was lucky because I had season one to warm up and get to know people, so I was totally comfortable. I told myself, You know what you have been trusted with this, they believe in you why don’t you believe in you! Go for it! And I did.
Q. Your newest project is The Last Days of American Crime, which is now on Netflix. Can you tell me how this role came about and what initially drew you to this project?
A. Olivier, the director, was a fan of Versailles, so he read a couple of the girls from the show for the role. I read the script and was excited to do something so far removed from anything I’d done before. The whole casting process went on for about 6 weeks, tape after tape after tape, and when I landed the role I was over the moon. I was ready to get rid of the corset and kick some ass!
Q. You play hacker Shelby Dupree in a trio of criminals who are living in a not-so-distant dystopian future, trying to pull off the last crime in American history. What makes this film different from your typical heist movie?
A. I generally don’t watch many heist movies. Everyone is raving about Money Heist on Netflix, I should try it. Edgar and myself want to tell the love story, more along the lines of True Romance, so it’s not just action, action, action.
Q. The film is based on a popular graphic novel series. How heavily did you rely on the original medium in preparation for your portrayal of Shelby?
A. I was in Capetown a couple of weeks before shooting. A big part of the novel is the look, it’s very gritty. I had really long hair and was dying to cut it ASAP, as Shelby has really short hair, and I knew it would help with the character. We didn’t end up going so short in the end. The costumes are sometimes linked to the original looks, but Olivier got very involved and had a strong idea on what he wanted. I love the looks, they are so 90’s.
Q. Tell me about the stunts. What’s the scariest/craziest thing you did on this film?
A. The thing that freaked me out the most was this scene when I was lying in the middle of the road and the truck comes up behind me and screeches to a halt. I had my back to the truck and it was a big f*** American truck, by the way, and I could just hear it turning the corner and speeding up and it was SO scary.
Q. You’ve worked in so many genres: period, action/thriller, horror. Is there any genre that you haven’t touched yet that you want to foray into?
A. I want to do something in the 70’s. I love that era. Or learn to ride a horse and be a cowgirl, haha! To be honest, what I would like is to do a drama, not in the future or the past, but a really beautiful story and explore honesty and emotion. You would be surprised how few scripts there are that have this simplicity.
Q. What’s next for you? What are you looking forward to?
A. Next? Out of quarantine and back to work, I hope. We did a little premiere in my friend’s garden with a couple of friends (6 – we are allowed) seeing as we won’t get one IRL.
Quick Qs
Q. If you weren’t an actress, what would you be?
A. Ah soooo many ideas. Florist, stylist, carpenter – something creative.
Q. What’s the last movie/tv show that made you cry?
A. Marriage Story.
Q. Who’s your role model?
A. I am surrounded by so many wonderful and inspiring women, I’m so lucky. Honestly, I love my friends, and they inspire me every day to do better and be better.
Q. What’s the first thing you’re going to do once quarantine is lifted?
A. I’ve already booked a few trips. I’m going to Farmhouse for a couple of nights, and I’m going to book a massage! I’m so excited. Then Ibiza later in Summer, hopefully.
Q. Guilty pleasure?
A. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I just started it, and I’m obsessed.
Q. Most underrated movie?
A. Grease 2
Q. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Care less.
