The actress Reveals Perspectives on Her Career, Fandom, and Unexpected Gifts.

Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

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; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn 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 always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated 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 settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was 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 brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from success. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.