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ESME CREED-MILES

stars in
Prime Video series

HANNA

Photography Angelo Sgambati
Creative Director Deborah Ferguson

Esmé Creed-Miles, is often labeled as an actor given her starring role in Amazon Prime’s HANNA, however she would be best described as a creative with her passions spanning fashion, music, writing, and directing as well. In fashion, in particular, she is a model with Kate Moss Agency and has graced Miu Miu and McQ campaigns. She also recently made her directorial debut with short film Jamie, which she also wrote and starred in. While her creativity spans wide, her acting skills are not to be overlooked; In HANNA, critically acclaimed series, Creed-Miles plays the titular character, raised in a Polish forest away from civilization, who is tasked with discovering her identity as an assassin among complex relationships and organizational ties. The series is based on the 2011 film of the same name, starring Saoirse Ronan and Eric Bana, and is set to release its third season on November 24, 2021. In our interview with her, Creed-Miles reflects on the final season of HANNA, talks about her short film Jamie, and tells us what we can look forward to next from her!

Interview by TESSA SWANTEK

Knit Dress: Musier Paris, Boots: Tamara Mellon

First, I wanted to start by congratulating you on Jamie. I saw that it recently played at the Leeds International Film Festival. What part of the creative process excites you the most- the original conception and writing, the directing and acting, or being able to see the final result? 

Thank you! I just want to make amazing films- the kind of films I want to see. Every part of that process is fascinating and exciting.

Top, Pants, Ankle boots: Stella McCartney

What do you feel most proud of about Jamie? 

 I think it’s a really good short, I don’t have any regrets with it. We got a PJ Harvey track. I don’t know, I’m proud of all of it.

Knit Dress: Musier Paris, Boots: Tamara Mellon

You’ve said in another interview that you don’t necessarily consider yourself an actress since you identify more with being a writer, fashion muse, director, and musician. In that sense, what kind of projects make you feel most fulfilled? 

Yes, I think I feel most myself when I’m at the helm of a project. In that sense, writing for film and writing music is very fulfilling. That being said, I love to be in service of other great minds. When a decisive director knows what they want and inspires me, I’ll be a sheep.

Top, Pants, Ankle boots: Stella McCartney

Coat, Sweater & Boots: Louis Vuitton, Track Pants: Esme’s own

In the realm of fashion, in particular, you model with Kate Moss Agency and have worked with Miu Miu and McQ recently. How does fashion impact your confidence and view of yourself? 

What can I say? I love beautiful clothes, and beautiful images!

Knit Dress: Musier Paris, Boots: Tamara Mellon

Shifting to your role as the titular character in Amazon Prime’s HANNA, which will be premiering its third and final season soon, I think there is a chance to reflect a bit on your experience playing Hanna now that it’s come to an end. When season 1 debuted, you had said that since Hanna grew up in the wilderness, she hadn’t internalized any male gaze. By the final season, what do you feel Hanna has internalized since the first season? 

That’s a hard question. Maybe she has, maybe she hasn’t. But she’s got a lot of trauma, and she’s been through a lot. Perhaps she’s too preoccupied with saving the world to worry about what she looks like. I wish I could say the same for myself. 

What was the last day on set like? 

Emotional. 

Knit Dress: Musier Paris, Sunglasses: CELINE by Phoebe Philo

In the final season, there is a pretty equal balance between the physicality of your role and the emotional aspect of it. Which scenes do you tend to enjoy filming more? 

That’s tough, I do think they are both equally satisfying. It’s been a privilege to have such talented actors throughout the seasons, Mireille [Enos], Joel [Kinnaman], Yasmin [Monet Prince], and now Adam Bessa and Ray Liotta. And so, re emotional beats, it’s been a joy to craft those moments with them.

Top, Pants, Ankle boots: Stella McCartney, Sunglasses: CELINE by Phoebe Philo

Coat, Sweater & Boots: Louis Vuitton, Track Pants: Esme’s own

Other than plot and characters, is there an element of HANNA that’s not talked about as much that you really enjoy? For example, I absolutely love the soundtrack and think it adds so much to the series! 

I hate watching myself and so I haven’t seen the series, so I don’t know about the tracks! But I love what Karen O and Geoff B. wrote for season one. That was quite magical, and we were very lucky to have them. I think audiences probably connect with Hanna’s aspirational spirit, and the grittiness of the show’s aesthetic as a whole. The world, the clothes, and the actors don’t feel unrealistically polished like much of the T.V. we see right now. 

Knit Dress: Musier Paris, Boots: Tamara Mellon

What can we look forward to next from you? 

Many very successful feature films.

Coat, Sweater & Boots: Louis Vuitton, Sunglasses: CELINE by Phoebe Philo, Track Pants Esme’s own