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During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners 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 things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

What’s been your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

Which questions get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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 final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.