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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We were playing opposite each other 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 recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants 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, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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 most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

During my time in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.