By: Kelly Kearney
Q) What initially drew you to the character of Lady Nuala and made you want to sign onto this project?
A) What drew me to playing Nuala was how smart and brilliant she was, and how much she’s not been valued for that at all until Dream (Tom Sturridge). I also think there’s something naturally really attractive about fairies and “The Sandman” creates a really interesting culture around them; sort of vain, jealous, tricky beings. And Nuala is none of that; she’s caring, intelligent, thoughtful. I think the contradiction of all that is so, so fun to play, especially scenes with Cluracan (Douglas Booth). And I was very keen to be a part of “The Sandman’s” world, I loved the show. There’s so much dark strangeness to it and it’s mythic and poetic, I love it.
Q) Nuala walks a fine line between diplomacy and heartfelt emotion. How did you find that balance in your performance?
A) I just played her as someone who well and truly cares. She longs for so much but has to do so in a restrained way. She is hopeful and idealistic, though all her circumstances would give her great reason not to be. I think those people are such necessary lights in the dark and there’s few of them, but they make all the difference. Her gentleness is truly her greatest strength because she can move through betrayal into forgiveness (ahem, Cluracan…). She can see the good in others when they’ve messed up (ahem, Dream…). She can keep hoping when all is lost. And it’s enough to carry others through impossible times.
Q) She isn’t just a political envoy tasked with delivering a message to the King of Dreams—she’s also a young woman navigating power, family and a pretty big crush. What parts of her journey resonated with you personally?
A) Her journey to being authentically herself is one I really loved to play. A lot goes on for her particularly in the second volume of the season, but that’s a throughline that’s deeply personal for her. She comes from somewhere where she’s not valued for being herself and has to obey these senseless traditions to keep others happy. And she then meets Dream who not only sees her for who she truly is but accepts it and prefers it. And that is all she needs to allow her to be infinitely brave and continue a journey of self-discovery.
Q) Her relationship with her brother, Cluracan, is a healthy mix of comedy and eye-rolling sibling rivalry. How did you and Douglas Booth approach building that sibling bond? There was a lot of ribbing between the two of you.
A) We definitely played into that shorthand between siblings, like affection laced with total exasperation. Cluracan is totally of the fairy world; he’s hedonistic, vain, selfish. Nuala’s the opposite and always has to manage him or clean up after him. But there’s a deep love they have for eachother and we talked about that, what it was like for them growing up in the fairy court and why they were shaped differently. It’s such an interesting relationship in hindsight as well, because we get to play all these comedic moments together (as well as really tense ones), but there’s something really painful for Nuala with Cluracan, that you love someone so much and they’re your only family but they just don’t appreciate you or seem to see you for who you really are.
Q) Likewise, the scenes between Nuala and Morpheus are often quietly charged in the first half of the season. Each encounter is filled with subtle heat and simple sweetness. What was it like working with Tom Sturridge and crafting that chemistry.
A) The scenes between Nuala and Dream are very much my favorite. Tom just sucks you right in. We could have been dressed as penguins, and I wouldn’t notice because it becomes very real with the stillness he creates. I never understand chemistry, but I wonder is it being so on the same page with someone. Like we both very much instinctively knew how these characters relate to each other, moments where they see each other very clearly in ways no one else has. So, there’s all these unspoken understandings which is fascinating. Particularly when status and power dynamics mean one has to be delicate, not overstep.
Q) The costumes in this show are stunning and surreal. How did Nuala’s wardrobe affect and enhance your performance?
A) Oh, very much so. When she’s got her fairy glamour on it takes me totally away from myself and I feel very much more of a “doll” than a person. It’s heels or corsets, lashes, hair extensions – so much makeup. This might be unique to me because I am such a slob in comparison, but I felt it to be a little humiliating to be “done” like that. It’s so much effort and feels quite intense and gendered. And it’s restrictive by nature – I couldn’t move easily, I couldn’t itch my face if I wanted to, I felt I didn’t own myself at all. But then when I got into Nuala’s true self, I felt so free and more practical. I could be messy, there was very little makeup, and I didn’t feel self-conscious in the same way – though I don’t look as magnificent, clearly. I really enjoyed my elf look.
Q) When working with director Jamie Childs, how much freedom were you given to shape your character—considering how reserved Nuala often is on the surface, but just beneath, there’s a young woman who’s starstruck and harboring a crush?
A) I love Jamie, he’s got such a cool style, and the substance doesn’t suffer at all. He was really encouraging of any ideas you had, was totally trusting of what you were doing and I knew he wouldn’t move on until he got the take he needed. I also really loved just working with the one director on a show like this – you’re on the same page from the get-go and the onset vibe was really lovely. Actors are really beholden to a director to ensure you’re delivering a consistent performance and serving your story, especially in such a huge world like Sandman. It’s got such a unique tone and Jamie’s really great at delivering that and setting a very collaborative atmosphere.
Q) Without giving too much away, was there a scene during filming that you found particularly challenging – perhaps one where you had to find genuine emotion in front of a green screen?
A) Sometimes my call time would be 2:30am / 3:30am because of how long it took me to get to the studios which added onto how long it took to get me ready. And then it took a while to get me unready and travel home during rush hour, so I’d get in the door around 9pm. When you have that little sleep it can be hard to concentrate on scenes or lines because there’s a veil of tiredness that is hard to push past. Those weeks were few and far between though.
Q) Is there a scene or episode you hope especially connects with the passionate fans of this book and series?
A) Speaking just from scenes I was in, I really hope those moments between Nuala and Dream resonate. I just loved their relationship and getting to bring moments from the comics to life in our own way, and to also play out their story in all these unspoken ways. I think Nuala’s quite an overlook character in the comics, and we’ve brought more out of her character to parallel her impact in Dream’s story, and the world of “The Sandman.” So, I hope fans of the show and comics are happy with how we’ve treated her, and the delicate dynamic her and Dream share.
Q) If you could have shared a scene with any of the other Endless family members, who would it be and why?
A) I would have loved a scene with Desire (Mason Alexander Park). I love Mason as a performer and person, so I would’ve been really excited to work with them. But I think Nuala and Desire would have been a really interesting pairing because Nuala is restrained longing. She’s very moral and she uses her head and Desire doesn’t observe – they orchestrate, they tempt, they unsettle. I just love the power of them and how Nuala may get unpicked. I don’t know what would happen or what that could look like.
Q) What do you think it is about “The Sandman” that you think continues to captivate so many viewers?
A) One thing is it’s rooted in various myths and that’s always going to be a universal interest. It’s definitely been a hugely attractive factor about the show for me. Gods, dreams, death, the human condition, forces outside of our control. There’s also something dark and reflective about the show I love, and there’s moments of humor which is essential. What really captivates me is Dream and the question whether he can change or not, and where do we glimpse little proofs of that. There’s a lot of worlds and characters to love.
Q) What’s next for you Ann? Are you working on any other projects slated to come out that the fans can keep watch for?
A) Yes, actually! I’m going to be in another Netflix show called “House of Guinness,” which is about the very wealthy, complicated Guinness family around the 1800s. I play a character called Dodo who is very different to Nuala. And I have a few films coming out, too. There is Four Letters of Love, which is a love story set in Ireland, and a film called Trad where I play a small part in where I got to work with Aiden Gillen again.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of your work and this series?
A) I just hope they enjoy what we worked on, and they find something in it for them. It gave me a lot, and I hope that’s shared.