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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from 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 it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

What’s been your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.