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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great direction provided you are really present then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated 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 clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak 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 triumph. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.