The Actress Fiona Shaw Discusses Her Professional Journey: From Star Wars to Wizarding World

During a recent conversation, renowned performer Fiona Shaw shared insights about her varied professional experiences covering many years and iconic roles.

Andor's Powerful Speech

While talking about her unforgettable eulogy scene in the Disney+ show Andor, Shaw revealed that the initial version included more explicit wording. "I actually spoke a different word in my speech," she clarified, "and the writer wanted the studio would approve it."

The performer described the unique filming conditions for this specific moment. "When I performed that speech, I was filmed by about 200 cameras to create a hologram. I was completely alone in a huge soundstage, with no director or production team present in the room."

Classic Literature Projects

Speaking about the forthcoming adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Shaw shared enthusiasm about the completed filming. "We recently completed shooting it," she mentioned, "though performers typically doesn't see is the final film."

She praised filmmaker Georgia Oakley as "truly wonderful and very assured." The production took place in beautiful estates across the UK, including sites within Dorset, Knebworth, and Devonshire.

The actress also recalled on her earlier performance in the nineties version of Austen's Persuasion, portraying Mrs. Croft. "The director had specific requirements: without hairpieces and just candle illumination," she remembered. "He truly aimed to recreate the feeling of nineteenth-century existence."

Harry Potter Memories

In response to questions regarding her time in the Harry Potter franchise, Shaw talked warmly about collaborating with her departed co-star. "Richard was the most elegant, creative and gifted man," she shared. "He possessed the most mellifluous handwriting and once sent me a note inviting me to lunch in elaborate gothic lettering."

The actress portrayed Griffiths as continuously talking and telling interesting stories with herself and the young actors on set. "He had fantastic general knowledge so we would listen captivated by his tales."

Stage Performances

Talking about her Broadway performance in the tragedy Medea, Shaw recalled how psychologically challenging the production was. "I met one of the ensemble actors several years after, who said: 'I'm not over it yet,'" she disclosed.

This theatrical work continued for years, starting in Dublin, then moving to London, followed by Washington DC, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and ultimately Manhattan. "We grew very close as a company," she added.

Performance Philosophy

When questioned about her ability to transition between humor and seriousness, Shaw explained that "humor unites people as it's about breaking conventions." However, she confessed that "the night before a comedy, I always rest badly, because you have to catch the wave on the day."

Regarding her technique for tackling different characters, Shaw commented: "I find them all challenging. But even if the character you're portraying is quite distant from you, there is frequently some aspect about them that you recognize."

Current Projects

Speaking about her recent performance in the production Hot Milk, Shaw described her character Rose as "a terrible woman though you cannot perform anything from that perspective." She explained that Rose suffers from a functional neurological disorder that makes walking difficult.

"She is unaware of the effect she creates on her daughter," Shaw noted. "Her only concern is that she desires to get better. She's well-intentioned yet unaware. Perhaps that's what most of us are."

Self-Perception

When told that audiences perceive her perfect for gang boss roles, Shaw responded with amusement: "Oh dear! I'm so not scary. But perhaps when filled with intention, my features might seem threatening."

The actress continued: "I am in life occasionally rather disorganized so maybe it's redemptive for me to play very intelligent, methodical personalities. I try to depict fascinating individuals so I avoid criticizing them. Please don't fear – approach and greet me!"

Love for Language

Discussing her renowned performance of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, Shaw expressed her profound relationship with language and poetry. "I'm consistently devoted in the language," she stated, "because the clues to everything are contained within the selection of vocabulary."

The actress thinks that "verse constitutes the refined version of language, or the moment that has been captured." When people reduce to what they truly want to say, it's often poetic."

Audiobook Work

Concerning her acclaimed audiobook performances, specifically the classic Alice in Wonderland, Shaw shared that "I enjoyed recording Alice in Wonderland because I included everybody I knew into it – personal companions and fellow performers."

The actress explained how she voiced the caterpillar as channeling Alan Rickman, and portrayed the Red Queen evoking Geraldine McEwan. "It always seems a honor to record and perform literature," she concluded, "despite needing days and days of work."

Collaborating with the Director

Recalling her experience working with celebrated filmmaker Terrence Malick on Tree of Life, Shaw described him as distinctive. "Everything Terrence Malick expresses and undertakes is unique," she observed.

The actress recounted a particular memory of their initial encounter: "He placed a message on my answering machine which said, 'I wonder, would you assist me with my film?' We went out for breakfast. He said, 'Well, what are you going to have?' I said, 'I'm going to have scrambled eggs.' He said, 'I think I'll have scrambled eggs too,' like it was the most exotic choice in the world."

Shaw also mentioned Malick's distinctive method of asking actors "Do you want to do this scene indoors or outdoors?" – questions rarely posed by different directors. "He only employed natural light," she added, "so you could either perform interior near glass or exterior on location."

Concerning the lengthy post-production, Shaw disclosed that "He takes approximately three years to complete the movie. I had been told by the producer after two years that I was likely among the primary roles, but by the time the film came out, I was nearly gone."

She concluded by characterizing Malick's unique process: "He constructs this massive framework, and he removes most elements. He fundamentally dismantles films."