House Of Cards was a sign of things to come from Netflix, a really strong start to their raft of original programming which is seeing the streaming service step up to the plate and fight America’s big premium networks.
Kate Mara was just one of the enormous names attracted to the David Fincher produced political drama, and we were amongst the group that talked to her about the show, watching an entire series of 24 in a weekend and the possibility of her working with her sister Rooney.
What do you think the biggest differences were doing a show for the internet as opposed to TV?
I’d say the biggest difference with working with Netflix and working on a regular series that because they gave all creative freedom over to our writers, producers and trusted them with the show, as did I and the other actors, it really did feel like we were making six movies in a row. It started off with David Fincher shooting the first two hours and then each next director would do the same.
That’s very different than on regular TV, which can be a little bit hard to get used to is that you pretty much have a different director every episode. Except on 24, they pretty much had the same director every episode.
With House Of Cards though, it just felt like a long movie, which was much better as I felt like I had a lot more control, input and information as to where my character was going. As regards to it being on the internet, that really didn’t make a difference, it was just that it felt more like a movie on set than most TV sets do.
Both Zoe in House of Cards and Hayden in American Horror Story are both strong willed women, what’s the most attractive thing about playing those characters?
It’s odd you call them ‘strong’, most people have asked me what it’s like playing crazy characters. I think they both are strong and crazy in their own ways, but very different. I don’t see much similarity between the two of them, which as an actress is what I’m most excited about doing. It keeps it challenging and interesting.
The thing I was attracted to in American Horror Story is that it was a role I’d never played before and was constantly surprising both for the audience and myself. The same thing with Zoe Barnes, she was something that I’d never approached before. There was 13 hours of great scripts that I worth with too, so I felt very lucky in that.
What would you say Zoe’s biggest strengths and weaknesses are?
I know one of her greatest strengths is her powers of manipulation. She’s amazing at that. I think that through a lot of the series she goes back and forth between being in control and confident and looking as if she’s being taken advantage off, but I think she’s acutely aware of that. She’s doing that to get certain emotions from Francis and it is all part of her power play. She rarely ever really loses control or isn’t aware of everything going on.
One of her biggest weaknesses is that she doesn’t really seem to think that much before acting out these big plans. She just shows up at Francis’s door in the first episode without thinking everything through. As the series goes on, her actions have much bigger consequences and I think that if she put a little bit more thought into that, she wouldn’t be where she is at the end of the season. That’s also one of the things I really liked about her.
Is there anything you’d really like to happen for Zoe in season two?
Well, I can’t really answer that as I know where she’s going next! I have to say, and this is kind of a boring answer, but I had so many scenes that I got to play with Kevin and Robin that are kind of an actor’s dream.
If I hadn’t had any scenes with Robin, I would have wanted Zoe and Claire to have some sort of showdown. It would be fun to have more scenes with her, every script I got I looked through and hoped I did. I’m pretty happy with what happened in season one though, so I’m great if it just stays that way!
Do you think there’s anywhere Zoe won’t go or any bridge she won’t cross?
I think that as the season unfolded, she realised her actions have consequences a little bit bigger than maybe she thought they would. As the season was coming to an end I feel you could see Zoe pulling back and bit and becoming more aware of how toxic this relationship with Francis is. While I think she’ll do almost anything to get ahead and succeed, she definitely is becoming more aware of her morals and what they mean to her.
Did you always know what was going to happen to Zoe over this year then?
When I signed on to do this show, before we even started shooting, David and Beau gave me an idea of my character’s arc throughout the show, which for me is one of the things you usually don’t get from television.
With TV it tends to be that you don’t get the script until a couple of days before filming and you have no idea what’s going to happen, which to me is rather unsettling and one of the main reasons why I’ve never been a regular on a TV show. I like to have a little bit more control and what’s happening in at least some way. If I had any questions what was happening here though, I could just call Beau or David and ask them. I wasn’t ever in the dark and that’s a great and rare thing to have.
This show was put out in one big lump, with all the episodes available on day one. Do you think that’s a good thing?
I can only speak from my personal experience from watching shows and there are very few shows I will watch every week and even remember that they’re even on every week. I typically wait a while, get the boxset and have hours of TV to watch in my own time.
The only feedback I’ve heard from people about the show is that people can’t help but watch the whole show; they finish the show in three days and then say they have withdrawal symptoms. So I think it’s only a good thing that the show’s all up at once, I don’t see the downside of it.
What’s the biggest boxset marathon you’ve had then? Just a couple of hours or something like the full series of ‘Girls’?
‘Girls’ is actually the only show that I watch live every week because I’m so obsessed with it. I actually watched the entire first season of 24 in a weekend. It was really intense and I became obsessed with the show, but I did that recently with Homeland too.
Have you watched the original British show at all?
I still have not watched the original. When I met with David Fincher about doing the show I actually asked him if I should watch it for character references or should just have a fresh look and he always said that we were never trying to do a remake. This is a completely different look for the show.
I was glad that he said that, because it’s hard to watch someone else play the same character you’re just about to and not be affected by it. Maybe when we’re completely finished with House Of Cards, I’ll go back and see how they both compare.
What would you say where the biggest challenges making House Of Cards?
I would say that I actually faced any big challenges. Playing such a well written character and being able to work with actors who’ve been doing this a lot longer than I have is a slight challenge, but in the very best way.
You can’t just work with people like David Fincher and Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and just show up as if it’s any other job. You have to be that much more prepared and on your toes and willing to do the work. I was definitely up for it and I’ve always wanted to surrounded by people I respect and can challenge me to be on the same level they are. I would say that was the one big challenge, but only in the best ways.
You’ve got Irish heritage, have you any plans to visit there?
Yeah, absolutely, I don’t know exactly when, but my grandparents have a farm over there. I’m hoping to get over there for a bit in the summer, but it really depends on the work schedule. I would love to play an Irish character too, as growing up our babysitter was Irish and she was a real part of the family. As I grew up, I actually ended up babysitting for her children so I feel like the Irish heritage is very close to me.
Both you and your sister Rooney are famous actresses, are there any plans for you two to work together any time soon?
We both definitely want to do something together, but we know that it has to be the right thing. We never have worked together in that way before and really want it to be the perfect movie for that. We’re not in any rush, but I’m always looking out for great scripts or books and I think that it’s something that would be both an incredible challenge and something that would be great in the future for both of us.
House Of Cards is out now on Netflix.
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