What did you do to prepare for Tutankhamun? How aware of the story were you already?
I was familiar with Tutankhamun from my school days, but I had no idea about the struggles that they faced and how long it took to actually find the tomb. I didn’t even know Evelyn existed until I first auditioned for the role. Oncee I found out I had the role, I knew I had a lot of work to do. I loved researching her and found her to be very inspiring. The most insightful information for me was from Howard Carter’s journals and letters. I learnt all about his passion and how determined he was but also how detailed and precise he was with everything he did. This helped me enormously with my character, and how she viewed Carter was something I wanted to bring to the role.

Having worked on a number of period dramas such as The Last Kingdom and Wuthering Heights, do you have a specific interesting in stories set in a different era?
I love a good period drama me! I love the history, the adventure and the beauty a period drama can bring to the screen. I have been so lucky to be part of stories and dramas that have all been very hands on in order to get a very real feel to them. Wuthering Heights and The Last Kingdom both had a very real “lets get muddy’ approach (maybe because we filmed in a lot of mud). They weren’t about perfection or beauty in the classic sense, but more about a real time in life that at times was very harsh and cruel. Tutankhamun was then a chance for me to play a more lavish character in a completely different era, and even tho there was less mud there was more sand, more spiders and scorching heats. So yes I love being transported back in time but also they bring along some wonderful adventures.

A lot of your back catalogue is quite heavy hitting pieces too, do you prefer this style?
I do definitely enjoy the challenge quite heavy scripts provide for sure. And for me, the more hands on the work is the better. I just love being part of real stories. Whether that means they make you feel sadness or joy, I just like stories that make you feel something.

You have worked with a number of stars, Joanne Froggatt for example – do you compare and contrast acting styles/techniques with each other or share advice?
It is definitely a topic of conversation on every job. Everyone has different styles or methods which I believe you should be respectful of. When it comes to advice I think lap it up. I just worked with Sam Neil and he was an amazing teacher. We play father and daughter and at the start I was intimidated by the sheer fact that it was SAM NEIL and obviously his talent. However, within a matter of days he made me feel so at ease and offered up some amazing advice and guidance. I feel really lucky to have had that experience. I didn’t go to drama school so I feel like this was some exclusive training. The best advice I think I gave to him was how to set up a speaker on his mac computer.

Is it intimidating or is there a level of pressure working with high profile actors in comparison to lesser known names?
Every job is intimidating at the start. I always question why am I here? Am I good enough? What are they thinking about me?  And I think most people feel like that at some degree at the start of any job. Of course when you’re working with someone you have watched on TV, it does add another level of anxiety. You soon realise that they have their own insecurities too, and if you push that aside, you get to learn some amazing things from some amazing people.

What has been your favourite production to work on to date, and why?
Oh thats a hard one. Well I think The Last Kingdom really sticks out for me. I loved every aspect of that job and how hands on it was. It also came after I had been out of work for a while. I had struggled a bit and then this wonderful job came in, and it made me realise so much about myself and how much I truly love this job. I made sure I took in every day. As an actor you are always looking to the next job, that sometimes you let the one your doing pass you by. The Last kingdom taught me to take every last bit in. Evelyn in Tutankhmun has definitely been my favourite character to play. She is strong and feisty and I loved that… We also filmed in South Africa for 9 weeks, 2 of which we were in the desert in tents with wonderful people and food. It was just completely magical!

If you could live in any past decade, which would it be and why?
I’m going to go with the 20s. I love everything 20s. The hair, the music, the fashion and the history.

You’re going out for dinner – you can invite 3 celebrities, alive or dead  – who would you invite?
I could lie here and make myself sound supper cool… But anyone who knows me will not let me live it down. I have always been obsessed with Keifer Sutherland, in particular his character Jack Bauer in 24 so I would ask him to come, but I think as Jack Bauer. I would also Invite Christina Aguilera. Odd as it may seem but I have been a solid fan since I was a kid and nothing will change that ha! And finally, I would like to ask Channing Tatum, just because it’s Channing Tatum. 

Finally, what is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on set?
I have to be honest, there are a few. I think one of the worst was on The Last Kingdom. I had lied and said I was confident on a horse. I wasn’t and if anything I was a bit scared. I thought I would get away with it as my character was originally written to ride in a carriage, but once I arrived they had decided that they wanted me to ride the horse. I had one lesson and then the next day I was side saddling this massive horse, filming. Me and Alex Uhtred had many scenes on our horses, nothing too complex they said… “you just have to move forward”. But every single time they shouted action, Alex and his horse would move forward and every single time mine would start reversing backwards, or sideways or go round in circles. It got to the point I had no control, Alex would have to control both his horse and mine. I think it took a good 3 months to walk in a straight line by myself.

Interview by Ian Casey
Photography by Andrea Vecchiato
Styling by Valentina Tiurbini
Make up by Justine Jenkins using Nars
Hair by Gavin @ The Canary Salon

Clothes: top by Miss Sixty  –  Top and skirt by Miss Sixty  –  dress by Miss Sixty, leggings by Top Shop  –  Jacket by Diesel  –  Seethrough top by Miss Sixty