The Cut: Rose Williams on the female gaze in film and how cinema has shaped her
First up, Rose Williams: best known for her role as Princess Claude in Reign, the Ealing-born actress is now making waves in world of film too. Stepping into the indie realm for last year’s critically acclaimed A Quiet Passion, Williams worked alongside the iconic Cynthia Nixon in the Emily Dickinson biopic. Since, she’s taken on a role in comedian Seth Green’s feature debut Changeland, as well as next years new drama Curfew. Set to be one to watch, we get to know Rose Williams now, and find out just what shaped her into the blooming actress she now is. Featuring a theatrically stunning shoot by Rankin, with looks from Marques Almeida and Christian Louboutin, meet Rose Williams…
What are your earliest memories of acting?
I wasn’t interested in drama as a child, all I wanted to do was paint and draw. I decided to pursue acting when I was about 18, my first job being a short film by my good friend Robin Fraser Pattinson. Before that my experience stretched as far as playing a (non speaking) tin-foil Christmas star in an infant school nativity.
You starred in Reign for three years, what did you learn about yourself as an actress throughout the course of the series?
I was so blessed to have the opportunity, time and space to learn on such a solid network show. I had very little experience when I was cast, so it was a jump in the deep end learning how to hit my mark in massive period skirts and stilettos, and remembering lots of lines in a short space of time. Creatively I noticed that as I matured the character matured- which is the really cool thing about TV, you can fuse with the character and grow together. I realized that to play a real person you have to find your realness inside first. Also I was really inspired by friends I made in Toronto (where it all filmed), young artists, producers, designers and dancers, Toronto is full of young talent.
You’re currently filming Curfew – what can you tell us about the series and what drew you to your character?
It’s a really unique show, mixing genres in a way I haven’t seen done before. It’s taking the universally recognizable premise of a car race and turning it on it’s head. I was big fan of Colm McCarthy’s work prior to shooting so I knew it was going to be creative, off-beat and character-centered. The cast are all individual powerful personalities and all the female characters are strong, which is VERY rare. My character is pretty badass, I play a survivor of the ‘Curfew’, the girlfriend and racing partner of ‘The General’- a straight up gangster played by the legend that is Sean Bean. I had stunt driving and gun training. The complete opposite of a damsel in distress. To bring me back to character Colm would say “she’s strong, she’s grounded, she’s powerful” It’s been an incredibly empowering experience. I’m really excited about it.
Throughout your career so far which fellow actors have taught you the most? Any great advice?
Megan Follows and Craig Parker on Reign. I watched them bring so much life and colour to their characters. They consistently brought all their energy to their scenes and carried the show’s storylines with spice and humour and punch. They taught me to bring the best you got.
In a post-Weinstein era there is – thankfully – more focus on empowering women in film, what changes have you seen in the industry with regards to this, and what more do you still think needs to be done?
Honestly, I think if Hollywood is the reflective stage of the world, we’ve got quite a long way to go before reaching a place of real equality. I have noticed more open conversations being had amongst my friends across different industries about abuse, sexual exploitation and gender inequality- which is great. I suppose the answer is more female writers, directors and producers creating projects and characters from the female gaze, for the industry as a whole to portray a more truthful representation of society and humanity. One of my best friends is a producer in Toronto, her rule is that she interviews at least one woman and one person of colour for every position on the job. I think those kind of choices coming from a place of integrity with a real desire for change is where the power lies.
What are the three films that you feel have inspired you most as an actress?
Fish Tank, Girl Interrupted and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Which book that you’ve read would you like to see adapted into a film and why?
Any of the stories from Wild Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, I think the title says it all.
If you could experience one era in history, which one would it be?
Ancient Greece.
Who is your cinematic icon?
Marilyn Monroe.
Follow Rose Williams on Instagram here.
