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Through a thoughtful conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent 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, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

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 a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to 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 detailed question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed 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 I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.