Olivia Colman a career that has seen her tackle movie as well as TV project and she is back on the big screen this week with Tyrannosaur.
While she may be known for her more comedic performances the part of Hannah in Paddy Considine's directorial debut sees her take on an altogether different role.
I caught up with the actress to talk about the movie, working with Paddy and Peter Mullan and what lies ahead.
- Tyrannosaur is set to hit the big screen this week so can you tell me a little bit about the movie?
It's an unconventional love story about two people who, on the face of it, you would never imagine would speak or get on but the end up needing each other and being soul mates. But it is quite a hard watch.
- You take on the role of Hannah in the movie so what was it about this character and the script that drew you to the project?
As soon as you read the script and it was clearly an amazing piece of writing. It was a dream job to play Hannah and to try and do her justice - I had never met an actress that would say no to that.
- The movie covers some very tough subjects - particularly for your character - so how did you prepare for the movie? And how hard were those scenes to shoot?
I spoke to a couple of women who work for a charity called Refuge, which offers help and assistance to victims of domestic violence male or female; mainly female.
I thought maybe I would be able to meet some of the women but I was given one case study that was so shocking that I knew I wouldn't be able to meet her without being unhelpful and possibly crying so I just spoke to these women.
And having read some of the things that these women faced and having that at the back of my mind I realised the level of fear that they faced on a daily basis - mainly it was all in the script though.
I went to meet some people that Paddy (Considine) knows who were Christian, I am not Christian and so I didn't know what the praying was like and things like that. they welcomed us into their home and let us sit and observe while they had a meeting and prayed for people in their community.
Filming the scenes was fine actually because Paddy made us feel so safe and secure - and we all got on well. There was no method acting going on; you don't want a method actor on set because it just makes you awfully uneasy.
- This is Paddy Considine's feature length directorial debut so how did you find him as a filmmaker?
Extraordinary! And I can't imagine anyone ever being better than him ever again. He really gets it and he know exactly what to say to actors.
It seems that a lot of people who become directors they don't know how to do it; they might know the technical side and what the camera needs to do but talking to actors it's like... you have to wing it and you are on your own.
But it felt like he was really with you and he understood exactly what it felt like, he was extraordinary. We all know that he is an incredible and it turns out that he is even better at directing (laughs).
- And how about working alongside Peter Mullan - it's a really great relationship that the pair of you have on screen?
He was a joy to work with as well and incredibly generous - you take turns on doing your singles but when he is off camera he will give everything and more to make sure that you do a good job.
He is more rare than you would imagine and he was just a real joy. He just trusted Paddy and he never said a word he was just like 'Yeah Paddy whatever you want mate'. It was just a really lovely companionable experience doing this film.
- We are use to seeing you in comedy projects so how much was it a conscious decision to move away from this genre? And how are you finding taking on less comedic roles?
I think most imagine that there is some sort of choice in an actor's career and there really isn't - you take what you are given.
This is the type of job that I have always wanted to do I never had to go 'oh yes should I?' it was just 'my god yes I would do anything to do that role'.
And I am very grateful to Paddy for his imagination some people go 'oh that is what she does' they don't realise that you are an actor and you will do whatever they give you.
- Tyrannosaur is already being raved about by the critics and it did well as Sundance so you must be delighted by the response to the film?
Oh god yes. Like I saw it was a small crew and a small cast and we are all so proud of it and we felt like we were making something beautiful.
And so you are slightly nervous when it goes out into the big wide world because it's like your baby and you wonder whether they are going to pick on your baby or love it.
And to see people take it to their hearts as well means everything to us really - it couldn't be better.
- It's a very realistic looking movie so where about's did you shoot?
It was all in Leeds, I think it was the Seacroft Estate; that's were 90% of it was filmed and everything else was in the middle of Leeds. It was brilliant.
I know that Paddy and some of the crew witnessed some kids early one morning with no where to go - it was a really sad sight.
But I just saw ordinary people who were really welcoming to us - usually in London you get 'uuurrggh' and they have seen it all before and they are huffing and puffing - but they were just really welcoming and I thought it was just great (laughs).
Sorry I have nothing bad to say - I can make something up if you like (laughs).
- Away from Tyrannosaur we are also going to be seeing you in The Iron Lady so how did that role come about?
Well I just auditioned for it, it was ages ago now; yes it must have been after we I had finished filming Tyrannosaur.
When I was downstairs at the audition I was pretty sure that I could hear who sounded exactly like Carol Thatcher and I thought 'oh god if they have got the real thing in then they are not going to want me'. But I think that helped take the edge of because I gave up a little bit.
- You take on the role of Carol Thatcher in the film so how did you find working with Meryl Streep?
Amazing!! I couldn't believe it I kept pinching myself because I couldn't believe that I was in the room with Meryl - she was just the loveliest woman and within seconds you forget that she is a walking icon.
She has the giggles at all times and she is a really lovely and funny woman - really affectionate and just wonderful.
And you sit and watch her and you just think 'wow that's good.'
- This movie is a much bigger budget project than say Tyrannosaur and you have also worked in TV so how do they all compare?
I think I prefer... the bigger the budget you are a tiny cog and you don't get to know everyone as well and it doesn't feel as creative.
I think that the more money involved the more suits there are at the top going 'oh really shouldn't we have this?' and 'I think we need a car chase' I thin it sort of dilutes what you are trying to do.
And I know this is a weird thing to say but I prefer when there is less money because it's more collaborative and more of an enjoyable experience - but if anyone wants to give me a big money job then I won't say no. (laughs)
- The movie hasn't just got a great cast but also a great director in Phyllida Lloyd so how did you find working with her?
She was wonderful - and such a lovely creature she is very gentle and very calm. There are long silences when she is talking and it took me a while to get use to it as I would try to fill the space with inane chatter - but it turns out that she is just thinking about something so you just have to be quiet and just wait and then she comes out with a great idea.
- Finally what's next for you?
I'm doing a play in January and that is the only thing that is booked at the moment. But I am really looking forward to that and it's all good.
Tyrannosaur is released 7th October.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Olivia Colman a career that has seen her tackle movie as well as TV project and she is back on the big screen this week with Tyrannosaur.
While she may be known for her more comedic performances the part of Hannah in Paddy Considine's directorial debut sees her take on an altogether different role.
I caught up with the actress to talk about the movie, working with Paddy and Peter Mullan and what lies ahead.
- Tyrannosaur is set to hit the big screen this week so can you tell me a little bit about the movie?
It's an unconventional love story about two people who, on the face of it, you would never imagine would speak or get on but the end up needing each other and being soul mates. But it is quite a hard watch.
- You take on the role of Hannah in the movie so what was it about this character and the script that drew you to the project?
As soon as you read the script and it was clearly an amazing piece of writing. It was a dream job to play Hannah and to try and do her justice - I had never met an actress that would say no to that.
- The movie covers some very tough subjects - particularly for your character - so how did you prepare for the movie? And how hard were those scenes to shoot?
I spoke to a couple of women who work for a charity called Refuge, which offers help and assistance to victims of domestic violence male or female; mainly female.
I thought maybe I would be able to meet some of the women but I was given one case study that was so shocking that I knew I wouldn't be able to meet her without being unhelpful and possibly crying so I just spoke to these women.
And having read some of the things that these women faced and having that at the back of my mind I realised the level of fear that they faced on a daily basis - mainly it was all in the script though.
I went to meet some people that Paddy (Considine) knows who were Christian, I am not Christian and so I didn't know what the praying was like and things like that. they welcomed us into their home and let us sit and observe while they had a meeting and prayed for people in their community.
Filming the scenes was fine actually because Paddy made us feel so safe and secure - and we all got on well. There was no method acting going on; you don't want a method actor on set because it just makes you awfully uneasy.
- This is Paddy Considine's feature length directorial debut so how did you find him as a filmmaker?
Extraordinary! And I can't imagine anyone ever being better than him ever again. He really gets it and he know exactly what to say to actors.
It seems that a lot of people who become directors they don't know how to do it; they might know the technical side and what the camera needs to do but talking to actors it's like... you have to wing it and you are on your own.
But it felt like he was really with you and he understood exactly what it felt like, he was extraordinary. We all know that he is an incredible and it turns out that he is even better at directing (laughs).
- And how about working alongside Peter Mullan - it's a really great relationship that the pair of you have on screen?
He was a joy to work with as well and incredibly generous - you take turns on doing your singles but when he is off camera he will give everything and more to make sure that you do a good job.
He is more rare than you would imagine and he was just a real joy. He just trusted Paddy and he never said a word he was just like 'Yeah Paddy whatever you want mate'. It was just a really lovely companionable experience doing this film.
- We are use to seeing you in comedy projects so how much was it a conscious decision to move away from this genre? And how are you finding taking on less comedic roles?
I think most imagine that there is some sort of choice in an actor's career and there really isn't - you take what you are given.
This is the type of job that I have always wanted to do I never had to go 'oh yes should I?' it was just 'my god yes I would do anything to do that role'.
And I am very grateful to Paddy for his imagination some people go 'oh that is what she does' they don't realise that you are an actor and you will do whatever they give you.
- Tyrannosaur is already being raved about by the critics and it did well as Sundance so you must be delighted by the response to the film?
Tagged in Tyrannosaur Olivia Colman