5 minutes with... Sophia Myles
British actress Sophia Myles rose to fame with parts in the films Underworld, Thunderbirds and Tristan + Isolde, and has also appeared in Doctor Who.
The 29-year-old, who lives in London, stars in sci-fi epic Outlander, which is released on Blu-Ray and DVD on August 31 by Momentum Pictures.
She is also in paranormal TV series Moonlight, which can be seen on Virgin 1.
TELL US ABOUT OUTLANDER – WHAT’S YOUR CHARACTER FREYA LIKE?
She’s a Viking warrior princess, she wears a lot of leather and a lot of fur, and she knows how to fight like a man.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH JOHN HURT?
Oh, it was a privilege. To be in the same room as John Hurt was a privilege in itself, but to be then shooting scenes with him was just… he’s a legend.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE THING ABOUT THE SHOOT?
I loved being in Canada. The people are so nice, and just to be in such remote places like Newfoundland and working in Halifax was amazing. And also there were so many handsome men as well.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU MADE IT?
I feel like it was three, maybe four years ago. It was the winter before I went to America. I think we shot it at the end of 2006, the start of 2007. It’s the job I had before Moonlight.
MOONLIGHT SEEMED LIKE A PERFECT RATINGS WINNER. WERE YOU AMAZED IT GOT AXED?
It was definitely a shock because we all thought we were going to go into another year, but everything happens for a reason and you’ve just got to go with the flow. It was a great experience and I loved every second of it.
WAS IT FUN PLAYING LADY PENELOPE IN THE THUNDERBIRDS MOVIE?
That was one of the most magical times. When I look back with hindsight, making that was one of the best film-making experiences I’ve ever had. A magical, magical summer and it was such a blessing. I’m still in touch with a lot of people from it too. Ron Cook, who plays Parker, lives up the road from me. I love the fact that the kids loved it so much, too.
YOU STARRED IN ONE OF THE BEST DOCTOR WHO EPISODES, GIRL IN THE FIREPLACE. WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THAT?
That again was a really special one, too. Like Thunderbirds, Doctor Who is such an iconic show, so it’s a real honour to be asked to be a part of anything like that. It’s historic Doctor Who, and again because the British public love it so much and I grew up with that when I was a kid – I was honoured to be picked to play the soulmate of the Doctor.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ROLE OVER THE YEARS?
I really would struggle to pick one role because each film is like a different adventure. Each film-making experience is unique in its own way.
IS THERE ANY TRUTH IN THE RUMOUR YOU’RE GOING TO STAR IN A FILM CALLED BUDDHA’S LITTLE FINGER?
No, I’d agreed to make that years and years ago and then it never got made. I know it’s still on the Internet Movie Database that I’m making it, but I’m not. I haven’t even come close to beginning to make that.
FINALLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY ASPIRATIONS FOR STAGE WORK?
I would like to, at some point. I’m quite shy of large groups of people or public speaking, so it would definitely be a challenge. I know it’s still acting but it’s like the difference between, say, painting in watercolour and painting in oils. It’s a totally different technique.