This month, we're already excited for new shows that will be part of our steady streaming as we navigate the summer! We sat down with Lara Wolf to talk about how she got into the industry, her approach to playing her characters, and her latest project, Those About to Die which is currently streaming on Peacock as a Peacock Original! With an incredible cast and the ability to take us back to Rome, Gladiator Games, and corruption - we knew that we wanted to find out a bit more about what she is up to as well as this series.
ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the first film or TV that made you aware of this industry?
LARA WOLF: Growing up, music was actually more prevalent than film and TV. It was always playing in our house, either from my dad's massive record collection or from him playing the guitar. And I would always sit with him and sing. That was a significant influence on me and the foundation for me seeking to be in the arts later. Of course, I watched every Disney cartoon, but it wasn't until I was a teenager with battles that films like Incendies, Control, Hunger, House of Sand and Fog made me feel a certain way, maybe made me feel understood. And so I started to develop a palette for film, and the more I watched, the more I wanted to be part of the world.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be an actor and where did you train to hone in on your craft?
LW: As a kid, I jumped at every opportunity to perform in front of an audience. It allowed me to express myself as a somewhat introverted child otherwise. I didn't grow up in an environment that would encourage performance art professionally, so it didn't cross my mind. But later on, when I was already in college going on to be a psychologist, something was missing, something I couldn't ignore. So, I started reconnecting with that childhood passion and picked vocal classes. This allowed me to release whatever I was holding in, which then snowballed into gigging in bars around town and performing, at the same time watching films, then enrolling in studying film, film history, and film theory, and finally realizing and admitting that I wanted to be in them! But that also required that I move to a place that would offer acting programs, a movie industry, and like-minded people. So, I moved to NYC from Zurich and studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute for 2 years. I have lived there since, continuously honing my actress, singer, and writer skills.
AM: I remember you in Quantico, how do you approach playing characters and what are you looking for when it comes to deciding on whether you want to be attached to a project?
LW: When I receive a script, I quickly notice if I fit into that world and if the character resonates with me. I look for similarities and differences and personalize as much as possible.
When deciding about a project, I ask myself if it is a story I want to tell and if it is something I would be interested in watching. I also get excited about collaborating with a director whose work I admire and with actors I look up to.
AM: We have heard great things about The Performance which is an Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, The Price) short story and is directed by Shira Piven (Claws, Sweetbitter, Divorce) and you acted opposite Jeremy Piven (Entourage, Wisdom of the Crowd, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For). Can you tell me about this film, your character Sira and why you wanted to be part of this?
LW: I remember seeing the breakdown that my agent at the time had sent me and thinking: if I don't book this part, then I won't book anything, because the way this character was described fits like a silk glove. They were looking for someone who spoke English, German, and French and could sing jazz. It's so rare that a role would check so many of my boxes. Aside from that, I was excited about the project itself, a period piece based on an Arthur Miller short story about a Jewish-American tap dance group in the 1930s that decides to fly to Europe for a tour right before the second WW and get themselves into a tricky situation. The film explores how far you are willing to go and what you are willing to risk and sacrifice for your passion. And when does your passion turn into greed? While it was a period piece, it's still incredibly relevant today, and I find that very rewarding. It was a blessing getting to work with the wonderful Shira Piven, Josh Salzberg (Welcome to Me, Walking Man, Welcome to Flatch), Robert Carlyle (Stargate Universe, Once Upon a Time, The Full Monty series), Jeremy Piven, and my colleagues, who were fantastic actors and brilliant tap dancers, and it was such a pleasure watching them do the choreographies. Our days were filled with music, dancing, singing, and acting - a dream! Our costumes were phenomenal, and the locations in Bratislava, like the State Opera, helped immensely to dive into the period.
AM: We're looking forward to Peacock Original's Those About to Die! What drew you to this series?
LW: All of it was appealing: the genre, the historical aspect, having Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day: Resurgence, Moonfall) - the master of big-scale disaster films - lend his expertise to this ancient story, shooting in Rome where it all happened, Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Nixon, Westworld series) playing the Emperor, and of course, getting to play the Judean Queen Berenice was a dream come true.
AM: What can you tell us about the show as well as your character Queen Berenice?
LW: Her life unfolded against the backdrop of the Roman-Jewish revolts when the Romans burned down the Second Temple and enslaved the Judeans. The Judean Queen Bernice was the daughter of King Agrippa I of the Herodian dynasty, and she was known for her strategic alliances and marriages. There were also rumors about an incestuous relationship with her brother, but there are no facts to prove it, and it might only show the threat she posed as a woman in power. Her most notable relationship was with the son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian (played by Anthony Hopkins), Titus, also known as the destroyer of Jerusalem and its temple. Naturally, this caused controversy and put her in the eye of public scrutiny on the side of the Romans and the Judeans. Despite this, her political acumen, diplomacy, and grace prevailed throughout history. And for me, it was an honor to be given the trust to play her and give voice to this incredibly powerful Queen in our history.
AM: It's a great cast that includes Sir Anthony Hopkins, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, and Iwan Rheon - what was your biggest takeaway from having this experience in this series?
LW: Every time I get to be on a set, it feels like the dream comes true again. My gratitude is beyond words. This is true, especially this time with this collection of incredibly talented actors, two top directors in our industry, and a production team that meets the highest standards. I love knowing that the people I work with are brilliant at their craft because it is a lot of fun working with them and motivates me to be a better actor. Ultimately, it's all about collaboration, honing your craft, getting as close as possible to the slippery idea of perfection, and seeing how it all comes together as a collective work of art.
AM: You've been acting for awhile and been in a number of series, but you are also a writer! When did you realize that you wanted to include this in your storytelling?
LW: From the moment I started this acting journey, different people in the industry encouraged me to write. Up until that point, all I had written were either essays or papers from when I was studying Psychology and Film, all in an academic tone. I had never imagined that I would ever write fiction and dialogue. I had never really seen myself as a writer, but I started dabbling in writing almost secretly and noticed how ideas would come up and evolve. Then, finally during the pandemic, the stories poured out of me, maybe because we were all cooped up and needed to sit still, which is typically not my forte. But it really allowed me to dig deep, improve and find the joy in writing. Currently, I'm working on a play I'm workshopping at the Primitive Grace Theatre Ensemble with Paul Calderón (Fear the Walking Dead, Bosch, Boardwalk Empire) and David Zayas (Michael Clayton, The Blacklist, Dexter) as co-directors.
AM: When you're not in the midst of a project, how do you take time for yourself?
LW: I guess that's exactly when I have the time to take time for myself. And I love getting back into a healthy food/sleep/exercise routine, which is often hard to maintain when working. I use the time between projects to reboot physically and mentally and feed myself creatively by writing or seeing art or plays. As I mentioned, I'm part of a theatre company in NYC which I'm very grateful for as it is my safe, creative place to work with other actors and writers and wonderful mentors. And then I also sing and write music and collaborate with other musicians.
AM: Do you have any upcoming projects that we should keep an eye out for?
LW: Keep an eye out for the film Reading Lolita in Tehran, directed by the renowned Eran Riklis (Shelter, Spider in the Web, A Borrowed Identity). It is based on the same-named NY Times bestseller memoir written by Professor Azar Nafisi and starring the Iranian icon Golshifteh Farahani (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Invasion).
And there is a next project on the horizon, and I wish I could tell you, but my lips have to remain sealed for now. I can only say that it's an action/spy film with a stellar cast! And you can follow me on @laradwolf for all the updates. Thank you so much!
IG @laradwolf
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 158 Sharon Daniels | PG 161 - 165 Reiner Bajo/Peacock |
Read the JUL ISSUE #103 of Athleisure Mag and see THE ANCIENT WORLD | Lara Wolf in mag.
