London, January 31st, 2025
Natasha O’Keeffe in conversazione con Felicity Carter
London actress Natasha O’Keeffe developed a discerning taste of screen from an early age, and cites the likes of Coffee and Cigarettes, a series of vignettes shot in black and white, the ’94 film Nell starring Jodie Foster, and the tv adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, as productions that opened her mind to the world of acting, and all its possibilities. And it was the curiosities of this realm and the spiritual-like process when the alchemy is just right, that drew her to drama school.
Having an evolving relationship with acting that has seen her embrace variety, Natasha has starred in a range of roles from the BBC’s iconic Peaky Blinders, and feature film Tyger to fantasy tv series Wheel of Time, which has just dropped season three. Keeping busy, Natasha also has an upcoming project with Netflix, and the indie film, Whitetail by Dutch filmmaker Nanouk Leopold. Known for her compelling visuals and inhibited expression, that teamed with Natasha’s lead role, is a recipe for a hotly anticipated film, and is expected to debut later this year at the festivals. We can’t wait.
“This is what I love about the nature of doing an independent, is that like theatre, you know that people are in this together to collaborate and create something you hope will be embraced by an audience. But you’re not doing it specifically for box office glory (though of course this can happen) but more for the spiritual experience in the doing of it. It’s a process.”
Ci sono state interpretazioni che ti hanno segnato da bambina e che ti hanno lasciato ricordi indelebili?
NOK I’ve always been a quiet observer. As an only child growing up, there’s a lot of time on your own, imagining and then also being in amongst the conversations of adults. I do think this fed into my becoming an actor. As that’s what you do, observe and think about it. I was also taken to the cinema and theatre a fair bit by my dad at a young age, and in hindsight, it was probably him just wanting to go to the cinema of a weekend. There was no childcare about, so I was like his little pal who would tag along, which was ne by me!One of the films that I think ought to be a little out of a younger person’s understanding, but I loved, was Jim Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes, I just remember thinking how fucking cool and strange the film was and how I felt a belonging to it somehow! The film Nell, starring Jodie Foster as a secluded and hermitized woman is another. I haven’t watched it in many, many years and I must revisit this film as I was so taken by Jodie Foster’s performance in it. It came out when I was eight years old and left such an impression on me — I would go about the house swaying and saying ‘Tay, in the wind’! Another stand out moment was seeing Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot when I was a teenager on the BBC. I feel like I must have recorded it or something as it wasn’t just the one time I watched it. It was Michael Lindsay-Hoggs’ version, and I was just mesmerised. It had the gift of space and time, but on the screen. I hadn’t seen or read a Beckett play before seeing this, so I felt appreciative of the television medium in that it brought Beckett to my attention! I felt I understood these characters even though they are nonsensical in their being. Like a weird dream one would have that channels bigger questions on what it is to be this thing called human. I have dreams to be in a Beckett play one day for sure.
What made you want to pursue acting as a career, was there a moment of realisation?
NOK There isn’t one specific moment, but it seems a lifelong evolving relationship I have with acting. It’s most definitely rooted in curiosity. It’s a job that changes along with me. Something I have observed in myself is that I am not very good at sticking to one thing in one repetitious state. Most fortunate that acting roles vary (you hope!) and take you down different paths all the time. I think it was an accumulative effect of seeing great films and theatre that got the message through to me that perhaps I should be part of it. Of course, I am forever inspired by film, television, music and art and when it is that good it reminds me why I want to do what I do.
As a London gal with Irish parents, why the choice to go to Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama?
NOK Yes, a London gal indeed. I grew up in Tooting Broadway. I recall very hazily my auditions for various drama schools. Probably because some were more shit scary than others and I have blanked out a few! Some I got in to, some I didn’t. But what I did remember is how casual and non-stuffy the audition process was at the Royal Welsh College. I was a little less scared as they put me at ease. I tend to strive in these sorts of environments that are less pretentious and nurturing. The teachers trusted you knew instinctively what to do, but they were there to hold you in a safe space to explore what works and what doesn’t. Of course, things like vocal training were very useful.
You’ve worked on the stage, as well as tv and film, and in music videos, are you drawn to a particular medium?
NOK My main medium I have worked on is television purely because that is what has come my way mainly. I feel magnetically drawn to film. It’s an accessible experience for all to see and film has the ability to climb right inside and rattle you, move you, make you think. Theatre, when it is good, is that spiritual experience. The live experience where there is this chemical reaction between the actors and the audience is like no other. I love it all.
“I feel magnetically drawn to film. It’s an accessible experience for all to see and film has the ability to climb right inside and rattle you, move you, make you think. Theatre, when it is good, is that spiritual experience. The live experience where there is this chemical reaction between the actors and the audience is like no other. I love it all.”
You’ve taken on a range of acting roles, why the variety and are there any genres that particularly appeal?
NOK The variety I guess harks back to the answer to your question earlier where I find the idea of repetition in most parts of a working life a little daunting. Or I’m bored easily. So, viva variety! I’m not genre driven in my choices really. I just like good films whatever the Genre. It’s not a particular genre, but I am a massive fan of the golden age of cinema of the ‘70s. Cassavetes’ films speak to me. His muse, Gena Rowlands, is a big hero of mine.
Have your preferences changed as time has gone on?
NOK I have most certainly learnt a whole lot about various filmmakers and films and actors that I didn’t know about in my youth. But in general, I feel that my preferences and where my attraction lies has probably stayed the same. I still love a slow-paced film. In a rapid moving world, clawing for your attention, there’s stuff getting made that is geared towards our dwindling concentration. Dumbed down, so we can shop online while we watch the TV. This seems to be what human brains are becoming accustomed and I’m not a fan. Phone is in the other room before you hit play. Okay?
Read the full interview on Muse February Issue 65.
