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SAMARA WEAVING

talks with
Tessa Swantek
about her role in Hulu series
NINE PERFECT STRANGERS

Photography Jonny Marlow
Fashion Editor Deborah Ferguson

Interview Tessa Swantek

Samara Weaving, Australia-born actor, has found herself in various projects that center around the sinister contrast between paradise and panic. Out of the Blue, her first acting project, centers around a murder in an idyllic Australian beach resort, Picnic at Hanging Rock is set in an isolated mansion as schoolmates and teachers disappear, and Weaving’s character, Grace, in Ready or Not is tasked with escaping a mansion on her wedding night before her new family ritualistically murders her. Now, Weaving finds herself as Jessica in Nine Perfect Stranger’s Tranquillum, an Australian beach resort. The drama mini-series, based on the popular novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, follows an ensemble cast who embark on a 10-day retreat to hopefully emerge better, happier people as they are guided by Masha (Nicole Kidman), whose wildly unsettling gaze underscores the tone of the series. Weaving, however, is certainly far from being typecast as evidenced by her numerous upcoming roles in biopics and period dramas. Weaving talks to us about her recent role in Snake Eyes and upcoming projects, comedically tells us why driving can very much be equated to a battlefield with sub-par safeguards, and shares her favorite memories on set!

Blouse, Belt & Pants: Saint Laurent PF21, Boots: LeSilla

You grew up in a family of creatives, with some of your family being in the entertainment industry as well. Can you describe your first vivid memory of the acting world and how you felt?

My family has always been very supportive of me and my sister. I feel very lucky to have such wonderful parents. My mum loves to paint and would always encourage us to be artistic, she still asks for us to give her watercolors on her birthday. My first notion that acting was something I could do for a living came when I saw Hugo [Weaving] in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I think it was playing on TV one night when I was little, I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember thinking “He can play make-believe as a job! That’s what I want to do!”

Blazer, Blouse, Pants, Boots & Bag: Louis Vuitton F21

You are often vocal about your dealing with generalized anxiety disorder and acting being a coping mechanism for you since you can be a different person. There also has been a lot of discussion recently following Naomi Osaka’s statements about her own struggles with anxiety. Is it difficult, especially with social media now, to be in widely public spaces where you are not a character?

I don’t notice my anxiety when it comes to social media. It can get pretty bad when I have to speak publicly or when I’m being interviewed (hehehe). There’s something about playing someone else and escaping my own brain that’s profoundly, or perhaps not so profoundly helpful. It used to be really bad in big social situations, but therapy has helped me find the tools to manage it and stay present and not let my asshole brain win.

Blouse, Belt & Pants: Saint Laurent PF21, Boots: LeSilla

Hat: Saint Laurent PF21, Dress: Ellery

You had a bit of a nomadic childhood from Australia to Indonesia, Singapore, Florence and Canberra. In adulthood, you probably also move from place to place for acting projects. Do you feel that your experience seeing different cultures and having to mold into different environments has impacted you professionally?

I’m sure it has to some degree. I’ve been really fortunate to grow up living in different countries experiencing different cultures. As a kid I didn’t really understand what a unique experience that would be but I’m really grateful for that now. I guess it was less scary to leave home and move around when I started working since I was used to moving so much with my family for so long. I can probably adapt and adjust much quicker than I would if I had grown up in one spot, but who knows?

Blazer, Blouse, Pants, Boots & Bag: Louis Vuitton F21

You have worked with Leigh Kilton Smith, renowned drama coach. Is there any specific piece of advice she has given you that has stuck with you?

Oh, she’s full of wisdom. Every time I see her, I discover something new. I could write a book of all the advice she has given me. Actually, she should totally write a book. I’m going to email her now and tell her to write a book. I absolutely love Leigh. She’s kind and giving and thoughtful and so funny. She’s one of the best people I’ve ever met.

Blazer, Bodysuit & Feather Pants: Alexandre Vauthier Couture, Heels: Tamara Mellon

You have said in previous interviews that you would like to challenge yourself by playing a real person. You have been cast as Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte in Liz, an upcoming biopic. What do you think will be most challenging about getting into this role?

Liz will be challenging but yes, playing a real person is very daunting. I think I’m more nervous about playing Holly Madison. She’s such an incredible woman with a stunningly fascinating story and I really want to make her proud and do her justice by capturing her essence on screen. Liz is hard right now because I’m learning French, and French is hard. One step at a time I suppose!

Jacket: Ellery

Blouse, Pants, Boots & Bag: Louis Vuitton F21

In Nine Perfect Strangers, you play Jessica, a social media influencer who comes to the resort in hopes of repairing her marriage. A lot of your scenes offer the comic relief we need in an intense show. Do you have any scenes that were your favorite to film? Any behind the scenes stories you can share?

I have so many favorite scenes, I can’t pick just one. It was a great ensemble and there were some days where I had no dialogue and I could just sit back and watch everyone else work, it was like having front row tickets to the best theatre ever. One day there was a big scene where everyone was walking up to Nicole [Kidman], and the camera was on her. I remember for some reason Asher [Keddie] was making everyone laugh with this one line- I think we were all a bit delirious from the sun and the long hours and we all had the giggles. Michael Shannon never broke on set, but I remember that day he started laughing too. Nicole was like “Guys, you’re ALL laughing I can’t do the scene if everyone’s shaking!” We all fell about on the ground laughing. I remember laughing a lot.

Hat, Earrings, Sweater, Skirt, Belt & Boots: Saint Laurent PF21

Nine Perfect Strangers was shot in Byron Bay, Australia and there are quite a few Australian natives on the cast including yourself, Nicole Kidman, and Asher Keddie. What was it like filming in your home country?

When the pandemic hit, I thought I wasn’t going to see my family for a long time. I was so lucky to be able to work during Covid and be able to go home for six months. It was a paradise. Byron had no cases at the time so everything was open, my family could drive from Sydney to visit, and it was summertime so when we weren’t on set, which was an actual retreat, we were at the beach or running around waterfalls and eating Tim Tams. It was heaven!

Top, Skirt & Heels: A.W.A.K.E Mode, Tights: Saint Laurent

Dress: Ellery, Boots: Iindaco

What character that you have portrayed, other than Jessica, would go to Tranquillum and how would they react?

I’m sure Grace (from Ready or Not) would be in dire need of a therapist after her blood bath wedding. I’m sure she’d be a bit hesitant about handing over all her devices though. She’d probably have some severe PTSD about getting trapped in a big fancy house with strangers.

Blouse, Belt & Pants: Saint Laurent PF21

Without giving too much away, there is a scene about rebirth in the TV series, if you could take on something completely new, what would it be?

There’s a lot of self-discovery and rebirth in this series. I’m still just learning how to drive and that is bloody intense. There’s a reason why people learn when their brains are still developing! Driving is so scary. I feel like I’m steering a weapon with a bunch of other people wrangling weapons and the only thing keeping us from dying is a line of paint on the road and some random flashing lights! It doesn’t make any sense to me, but right now that’s what I’m taking on and it’s very new and very strange.

Hat, Earrings, Sweater, Skirt, Belt & Boots: Saint Laurent PF21

Blouse, Belt & Pants: Saint Laurent PF21

You play Scarlett in Snake Eyes from the famous G.I. Joe series. Can you tell us a little bit about working on the film in terms of preparation and production?

Scarlett! She represents the Joes in the film, so that was really cool to play. We had some intense training which is always fun and exhausting. I loved working with Ursula [Corbero], we laughed a lot and explored Japan together. The whole cast was wonderful, and Robert [Schwentke] was a great director. It was really impressive to see such massive set pieces and work with stunts on a really big scale.

Top, Skirt & Heels: A.W.A.K.E Mode, Tights: Saint Laurent

G.I. Joe’s Snake Eyes and Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the extremely popular book by Liane Moriarty, are both projects with pre-built in fan support. Does this make it more nerve-wracking for you to await audience reaction or does it calm you a bit to have that initial support?

Both, I think! It’s great that people are excited to see these projects but yes there’s always the danger you’re going to let someone down. I can’t control that though, so I just try and do my best and hope people like it.

Top, Skirt & Bag: A.W.A.K.E Mode, Tights: Saint Laurent

It was recently announced that you are set to star in Chevalier de Saint-Georges and have several other projects that have also been announced or are currently in post-production, The Valet, Babylon, Down the Rabbit Hole, and Liz. Can you talk a little bit about what we should expect from these projects and what is next for you?

Yes! I’m about to fly to Prague for Chevalier de Saint-Georges which I’m very excited about. I’ve never been to Prague so I’m keen to explore the city and try the Czech cuisine! I’m a huge fan of Kelvin [Harrison Jr.] and I’m thrilled to work with him. I haven’t done a period piece in a while so I’m looking forward to that too. It’s hard work and great fun developing and planning these projects like Down the Rabbit Hole and Liz, I can’t wait until they’re ready and we can start filming them.