|
|
 |
Ashley Jensen interview - Radio Times, October 2006 |
|
|
|
 |
|
The Scottish actress describes herself as "not hugely ambitious", but following success in Ricky Gervais's comedy Extras, Hollywood beckons…
On her rise to fame
"People were surprised, because I came from nowhere. A lot of people who do comedy have come from a stand-up background, or they've done improv or something. So it's a bit weird to be catapulted into that premier league comedy world. But Maggie just seemed to strike a chord with people."
On her Extras character, Maggie
"She's absolutely without cynicism. A lot of modern comedy characters have a wee nasty streak. But Maggie's like a girl from 1956 who's been transported to the future. She has the innocence of another era. And people really respond to that."
On her co-stars
"Ricky is very generous. He's not just waiting for the chance to trump everyone with a killer line."
"You have to disassociate yourself from who [the stellar guest stars] are. You have to think, 'We're all just actors doing a job.' Then you can go home and shriek: 'Oh my God, I've just kissed Orlando Bloom!' to your family."
On her childhood ambition to be an actress
"I used to ask for things like face paints and false noses for my birthday. I'd make myself up and say, "Look Mum! I'm an old green witch!"
"I went to the dentist and said, 'I want braces.' And he laughed at me and said, 'Unless you want to be a model, there's no point.' But later, when I was at drama school in Edinburgh, I thought, 'B****r it, I want braces.' So I spent the first two years after graduation playing children."
On her role in Ugly Betty
"Last year, me and my chap [actor Terry Beesley - the pair got engaged earlier
this year] went on a Californian road trip, and my agent here said, 'I might as well put you in touch with a couple of people out there.' So I got an
American agent and found myself up for the pilot of Ugly Betty.
I got the part - I play the sensible, Scottish friend of the lead [America Ferrera] - and all of a sudden it's like, 'I'm getting a wee bit out of my depth here. It's really
happening!' I don't even know how many clothes to pack. I've genuinely no idea how long I'll be out there. I'll probably be home by Christmas."
On her new life in Hollywood
"It's quite scary. Over there, I'll be having my hands manicured and my waxed bits waxed. I'll weigh four stone and my face will be orange."
"I'm just going to do a job. I hope people don't think I'm 'selling out'. I'm a jobbing actress. I'll work for a bit over there, then, ideally, I'll come back to London and do
a play at the Royal Court or the NT, because theatre is where I started. I think it's really nice to be able to do a mix."
**
Read our Q&A with Ashley Jensen - or take a look at our full Extras guide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Advertiser link |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EMAIL A FRIEND |
|
| Want to share this page with a friend? It's quick and easy! |
| Email a friend |
|
|
|
|
|
