english actress Mia McKenna-Bruce sits down for an exclusive interview with DSCENE editor Maja Vuckovicto talk about her acting debut, playing Mary Elliot in netflixis a hit movie Persuasionupcoming projects, fashion and more.
MIA MCKENNA-BRUCE ON THE COVER OF THE SEPTEMBER 2022 ISSUE OF DSCENE
For DSCENE MagazineSeptember 2022 digital cover story Mia McKenna-Bruce teams up with a famous photographer Joseph Sinclair at John Parkinson Agency using Leica. In charge of styling was Emily Evans at The ONLY Agency, assisted by Sabrina Di Giulio. Beauty is the work of hairdresser Davide Barbieri in Caren Agencyand makeup artist Jacinta Spencer at The ONLY Agency. Photo assistance by Tom Appleton.
Hello Mia, nice to have you at DSCENE! Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Hi! Thank you very much for having me. My name is Mia, I’m an actress from South East London and I’m a HUGE animal lover.
Was acting something you always wanted to pursue, or did you have different plans for your future?
At first, I wanted to be a dancer. I think I always knew I wanted to do something creative and dancing was that outlet for me throughout my childhood. It was thanks to dance that I had my first role as a professional actor, then acting really took off for me!
Do you remember your first casting? Was it a good experience?
Yes yes. I found it in a local newspaper. It was for an amateur production of Seussical The Musical In Croydon I thought I would have absolutely NO chance of getting any role, but I somehow managed to play Cindy Lou! So it was definitely a positive experience for me. Although I remember the nerves from before the audition, because they never go away!
For you, what is the main difference between preparing a role for a film and preparing for a TV show?
I think the main difference for me is that with a movie, you know your starting and ending point and how far your character has gone to get there. This makes breaking down the timeline much easier as it doesn’t tend to change! (With the exception of rewrites) but with a TV series there are constantly moving parts. Your character is constantly changing and evolving, you might think things are going one way, and then there’s a dramatic twist that changes the whole course of what you were doing. It definitely keeps you on your toes, but it’s also just a great reflection of how life works, I guess, you never know what’s coming your way!
You star in the hit Netflix movie Persuasion, can you tell us how your experience was as Mary Elliot?
Really honestly, the most fun ever. She was my first real comedy role, so not only was playing Mary a whole new adventure for me, but I learned a lot playing her because I really had to get past any embarrassment I felt about being wrong. You have to be willing to try new things and fully commit to a role because while Mary is definitely an extreme character, she does exist in this world.
Did your co-stars, Dakota Johnson, Henry Golding, Richard E. Grant to name a few, have any advice for a young actress like you?
I think the main thing I learned from everyone on the show was to always have fun. The fun/work balance is really important in delivering comedic performances and means you have a really wonderful bond with the other cast and crew!
Do your on-screen experiences sometimes affect you?
I think I’ve struck a good balance between being able to separate my roles from reality, it sounds silly, but even taking off my costume and putting on my own clothes, I’m able to disconnect from the character I’m playing!
We can see that you are a big fashion lover. Do you enjoy transforming your style and appearance for different roles?
Yes definitely! I love anything that takes my character away from who I am. So dyeing my hair or wearing a corset always appeals to me a lot and helps me play a role even more.
Besides being an actor, what do you like to do?
Walk my dogs haha! That and I really enjoy spending my time off work surrounded by my family and friends. It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of the industry, so I always like to stay true to my roots and the people who have been with me every step of the way!
What’s next for Mia McKenna-Bruce? Upcoming roles that excite you?
Yes! I have just started working on a film for Movie4and I have another movie called Ignition come out next year. Both of these stories are extremely important and I feel incredibly grateful to be able to tell them.
Follow Mia McKenna-Bruce – @mia_mbruce
John Parkinson’s photographer Joseph Sinclair uses Leica.
Stylist Emily Evans at The ONLY Agency
Makeup artist Jacinta Spencer at The ONLY Agency
Hairdresser Davide Barbieri at Caren Agency
Talent Mia McKenna-Bruce
Photo assistant Tom Appleton
Stylist assistant Sabrina Di Giulio
Special thanks to Reverend David Green of St Mary-the-Virgin, West Malling
