Sweet Talking Woman

Up-and-coming actress Emma Greenwell is like a young Jean Shrimpton with a sweet tooth and, reminiscent of another Emma, is already handsome and clever. With her star quality, says Felicity Harrison, she should also soon be rich

What do you love about acting?

I love telling stories. From a young age I always wanted to be involved in plays for that reason. I got the bug pretty quickly and I just love it.

You studied at Hurtwood House, which has some impressive acting alumni including Emily Blunt and Jack Huston. What was it like?

I remember on my first day walking around and these two girls said, “When we leave school we’re going to move to Hollywood and become famous and I thought, ‘Where am I?’” Everyone there is a performer so it keeps you on your toes but I liked it. Andrew Johnson, head of drama there, is amazing.

Other than acting, what are your passions?

Fashion and food. I used to work for a stylist, which is when I became obsessed with clothes. I don’t like just going into a shop and buying clothes – I like to track things down, trawl through markets and so on. I also love going to the cinema and theatre. When it comes to food, I love sweets, like fizzy laces! And chocolate nemesis. I love cooking, although I am not very good at it but working at The River Café has taught me a bit. I’m always peering over the chef’s shoulder and asking them what they are doing. I observe, but I don’t know how much I actually take in.

Any tips for amateur cooks out there?

Yes, instead of blind baking – when you use those balls to weigh down the pastry – I’ve learned that you can grate thick slices of the pastry, pat it down, and then you don’t have to blind bake.

Who is the sexiest man of the moment?

I like Guillaume Canet.

What do you look for in a man?

Height! And someone who makes me laugh – that’s quite sexy.

Have you ever fallen for a co-star?

No.

Who would you pick for an on-screen romance.

Ooh, I love Clive Owen.

What was it like performing at the Edinburgh Festival?

There were some quite difficult people in my cast, but the whole experience was really fun. I was 18 and living in this flat with another 18-year-old girl and these 40-year-old men, so we did all the cleaning and cooking. My show finished at 8.30pm, so I had the whole evening to go and check out other shows.

Do you hang out with other actors much?

Yes, because I went to LAMDA and now I live with another actor.

Which actors inspire you?

Kristin Scott Thomas has had a really interesting career, and all her choices in film and theatre are excellent. I would love to be able to do French films because I adore French cinema.

What is the naughtiest thing you have done?

When I was 16 I used to tell my boarding school I had an appointment and tell my parents I was staying in and I’d sneak off to London. I got caught every time and would then get punished both by my parents and school. But I still kept doing it.

If you could live in any decade what would you choose?

Easy: the Swinging Sixties.

Auditions. Love them or hate them?

I really like them. They’re fun. So far, I’ve had lovely casting directors, which is a little different from auditioning for drama school, where they often try to upset you. I get nervous but I like to pretend to be whoever you want.

Describe your perfect day.

Waking up with my two cats – Hector and Dante – and then heading up to Hampstead Heath with some friends and having a picnic.

With a nice glass of wine in hand?

I don’t drink wine or beer. Very antisocial, I know. I have to bring hip flasks of vodka to parties!

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