Maria Austin
Taking on an unconventional role in the new film Mercy, actress Maria Austin talks to us about co-founding her own production company, managing ADHD as an actor and the fellow creatives she’d most like to work with.
When did you begin acting?
I always loved to play characters as a kid, and stories and films were a big thing in our house. I did a lot of impersonating characters - Doris Day in Calamity Jane was a big favourite. My brother and I would make up stories that went on for hours. He used to get me to dress up as a corgi and he was the Queen Mother. I had to crawl around and carry his cloak in my teeth! I then got into school plays, joined a local theatre company as a teen, went on to a Drama and Theatre degree at uni followed by acting training in New York at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. From there I've been working as an actor!
How do you choose your roles? Are there any specific qualities you look for?
I don’t have any particular “type” of role that I look for, but get sucked in by good writing. I love reading a script and getting totally lost in the words on the page. I think if words alone start to conjure a world or character in my head then that sparks my curiosity - my brain starts whirring and I want to know more.
Your film Mercy, dealing with animal rights and factory farming, is out now - what attracted you to it?
Through the film, we follow the journey of Mercy, a factory farmed pig and those she meets on her way from factory farm to slaughterhouse. I was immediately grabbed by Wendy Morgan’s beautiful script and how it explored some huge global conversations in such an accessible and poetic way. Each character is written with a lot of empathy - whether that be the slaughterman (Mark Wingett), the Judge (Annette Badland) or Mercy herself. I love playing roles that give me a way of exploring the world and engaging with new ideas and experiences and working out how the character interacts with others. Mercy offered an additional challenge in that she is not human. I wanted to approach her with the same respect that I would any other character, but with the added challenge of developing her voice and physicality as non-human. In the run up to the shoot, I was provided with a lot of CCTV footage from inside factory farms and I also watched some real piglets and pigs. I was really struck by the tenderness they have for each other and the total joy and abandon with which they play outside. In the CCTV footage the pigs always seemed to keep their curiosity and trust in the humans - even after they were hurt. Those were a few of the things we lifted and were qualities I really wanted to wrap into Mercy’s character. Her potential for innate joy, intelligence and trust.
On screen you'll next be seen in the film Tell That To The Winter Sea - what's it about?
I am super excited! Tell That To The Winter Sea is a beautiful feature film with a group of incredible women actors whose work I really admire (including Greta Bellamacina, Jessica Plummer, Josette Simon and Amber Anderson). I had seen Director Jaclyn Bethany’s previous film (the brilliant Highway One) and was super keen to work with her. I play a rather stern Irish nun, which was great fun!
You're currently preparing to appear on stage in a play called Agathe - what can you tell us about it?
Agathe is a play about the true story of Agathe Uwilingiyimana, who became president of Rwanda for 14 hours at the start of the Rwandan Genocide. She was a real pioneer of education and women’s rights. I play Carrie, who is a peace worker. The script is beautifully written. I’m prepping to start rehearsals for that at the moment. Lots of reading, documentaries, films and music to listen to!
You're the co-founder of a new production company, Dawn Chorus Films - how did you get into production, and what kinds of projects does your company want to bring to the screen?
Priyanga Burford (glorious actor/writer/ director) and I founded Dawn Chorus Films. I think often, what do I want to leave in the world for my children or grandchildren to watch? We are particularly interested in telling stories about the richness of female experiences through past and present, from around the world and from cradle to grave in all their messy glory! Pri and I also collaborate with co-producers - shoutout to Kate Phibbs at La Peche Films who is a total wonderwoman! We are in pre-production for our next project at the moment, The Beholder.
You’re an actor with ADHD - does that impact you while performing?
I think that my brain is wired in a way that loves performing. My ADHD gives me periods of hyper focus where I totally zone into whatever I am concentrating on. I wonder if that is part of why playing characters appeals to me - when I’m in the world of the character, I zone into that and can completely forget my personal life or anything off set/outside the theatre. I find time management doesn't come easily, and usually have an array of timers set on my wrist watch. I like to try and give myself plenty of time to arrive when I’m on a job, so I tend to over compensate and be super early!
What advice would you give to other neurodiverse actors unsure of how it may affect their work?
As I understand, ADHD affects everyone differently. I can only speak for how it affects me. My brain runs at about a thousand miles per hour, and I have found yoga and meditation always make me feel a little more grounded. Particularly when I am enthusiastic and invested in a character, it really gets my brain sparking all sorts of ideas and questions that I want to know the answer to. Anything that makes my brain slow down a little is positive.
Are there any actors or filmmakers you'd like to work with in the future?
Yes! There are so many that I admire. Too many to list! I love being a sponge on set and learning from the director, other actors, the crew. Directors - Yorgos Lanthimos, Amma Asante, Armando Ianucci, Greta Gerwig and Joanna Hogg. Actors wise - Hannah Waddingham, Emma Thompson, Octavia Spencer, Sophie Okenedo, Tom Hiddleston. All actors!
Mercy is available now in the Apple TV Store and you can see Maria on stage in Agathe at the Playground Theatre in west London from April.
Words: Scott Bates
Photos: Saskia Lawson
Stylist: Ruta Jane
HMU: Lauren Phelan
Follow Maria on Instagram
Wardrobe:
Look: White Set; White set - NOON BY NOOR Earrings - MAISON LUMIERE Shoes - JORIPAPA
Look: Blue Dress; Dress - Vivienne Westwood Shoes - stylist's own Earrings - Lag World
Look: Black Tulle blazer; Blazer dress - Y/PROJECT from My Wardrobe HQ
Earrings - SAAD COLLECTION Shoes - PLEIADES