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In a candid discussion, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film 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 television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

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 at the time we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines 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 our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker 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 complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than is gained from success. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.