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In a candid interview, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character 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 the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

It’s been confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.