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In a candid interview, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch 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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it would air on television occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, 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 she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be 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 identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne 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

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.