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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed 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 the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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 of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.