The Tudor Rose

Emma Hamilton discusses her role in TV hit The Tudors, a weird audition experience – and her ability with a broad sword – with Felicity Harrison

You are an Australian actress living and working in London. What do you miss about home?

My family. I have been here for six years but I still miss them. I am very close to them.

What do you love about living in London?

I love the theatre in London and the sense of artistic community here. And my friends, of course.

How would you describe your three years at RADA?

Intense. They were really good times and really challenging times. I learned so much and I met amazing people, many of whom are now good friends.

They can make you do pretty crazy stuff at drama school. Do you have any amusing anecdotes?

We had to do an enchanted forest exercise, which was pretty strange. It was a Laban study exploring movement, although I don’t really know what it was exploring as it was very weird!

Any weird audition stories?

I once had to pretend that I was being sick in the corner of a room. That wasn’t a highlight.

Who are some of the directors you aspire to work with?

There are so many: Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, Duncan Jones and Dearbhla Walsh would be at the top of the list, along with the Coen brothers and Jason Reitman. At some stage I really hope to work with Sir Peter Hall and Nicholas Hytner.

Do you have a preference for film and TV over stage?

I love both screen and stage, and find them both challenging in different ways. When you live a part on stage you get to really explore it on a deep level, whereas on screen you need to deliver on the spot.

Any hidden talents?

I love weaponry. I am quite mean with a broad sword!

You have finished shooting series four of The Tudors. Tell me a little bit about the role you get to play.

It’s following the life of Henry VIII and his wives. I play quite a unique character in that she is not one of the wives and she is not a lady-in-waiting, either. She is her own woman, she is quite powerful and she creates all sorts of mischief. It’s a great part to play and I get some pretty diverse acting experiences. I had to give birth in the last season! It was amazing. We did lots of dancing this year, and I love the costumes we get to wear.

Have you ever fallen for a co-star?

In my experience on-screen/on-stage romances are never as exciting in real life!

Who would be your pick for an on-screen romance, then?

I could only hope to work with someone who is professional, open and fun to be around – probably someone like Paul Rudd or Alec Baldwin.

So those are the traits you look for in a man?

Sure: humour, confidence, intelligence!

Favourite indulgence?

Mmm, let’s see… A bath. I love baths. I don’t have one in my flat at the moment so when I get a chance to have a soak, it’s a real treat.

Best advice you have been given or a motto you live by?

I’ve been given a lot of good advice, but I always think the two things to live by are to be true to yourself and to treat others as you would like to be treated. Hopefully, the two won’t conflict!

- Emma Hamilton wears Irwin & Jordan sequin top

Tags: casting couch, coen brothers, Emma Hamilton, jason reitman

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