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In a candid conversation, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays Queen 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It’s such great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions 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, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, 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? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. 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 still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin 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 settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium 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 I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.