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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and toward the people sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

What’s been your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

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

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been 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 named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged 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 rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.