You’ve just celebrated your one-year anniversary, True Blood has been commissioned for a fifth series, and you have four films coming out. Is this the best time of your life?
This is definitely a really amazing time in my life, personally and professionally. A lot of things are coming together in a way that is just amazing and I feel incredibly lucky. We all know it’s not always going to be brilliant. There’s always the harder times. But this is one of those really, really good moments.
Do you ever find it difficult; being both married to Stephen and romantically involved with him on screen?
Not at all. We have a life outside the show. Plus, I get the opportunity to see my husband all the time as opposed to being stuck in a random country making a movie and not seeing him for five months.
Nonetheless, it must be refreshing to have a new love interest in the character of Eric [Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård] in the fourth series?
Of course. It would be boring if all the characters were happily involved with the same person for season after season. There’s got to be conflict, there’s got to be some downs, some new people, so this season it’s the tall Swede. He’s massive – 6ft 4ins.
According to the books written by Charlaine Harris [which the series is based on] you are set to have quite an explicit scene in the shower…
Well, in the books, there are very detailed encounters in a shower. Our boss has confirmed that there is indeed a scene in a shower with Sookie and Eric, the specifics are yet to be divulged. It could be anything!
True Blood has some pretty intense fans. How do you cope with them?
I started acting young, so I had a head start in dealing with the ‘work thing’. It didn’t used to be as crazy as it is now, but I don’t totally remember what it was like before. Being recognised happened much less often when I was younger, but it still happened. I don’t really notice it anymore to be honest. When I am out with friends, they will get kind of protective, and be like, “Do you want to move, these people are staring?” I’m like, “Oh no, we’re fine.”
Even if fans are in your face, taking pictures on their phones?
Hmm, that’s an odd one to me. I like to think I’m someone who has good manners, and that’s not something I consider to be polite. If you like somebody’s work, and you would like to take a picture with them, why don’t you ask?
Perhaps they’re scared you’ll say no…
I’ve only ever said no once or twice in my life. Once was when I was crying. I was like, “God, I don’t understand this at all. I’m not an unpleasant person or stuck up but I’m kind of weeping into my cell phone right now, is there any chance maybe you can give me a pass on that one?” You know, it is what it is. I’m not asking for a pity party, but I would never go up to somebody who was crying and say anything other than, “Can I give you a Kleenex?” But that’s just how I was brought up.
"It would be boring if all the characters were happily involved with the same person for season after season."
You were brought up in New Zealand. Has that helped keep you grounded?
Growing up in New Zealand, you’re about the things you have. I think that aspect of my upbringing has been helpful. So when people are really gushy about stuff, I kind of just want to laugh. I’m not someone who inherently believes someone when they pay me a compliment. I’m always sort of like, “Really?” A lot of the times, I can tell you’ve never seen my work, and you don’t know me, so you don’t know if you like me. It’s like you are kissing my ass because you think you should. I can be polite about it, but it doesn’t really make my heart go pitter patter.
Winning an Oscar at 11 years old for The Piano must have had a huge effect on you?
It’s not meaningless but it’s not the be all and end all. It’s so random. Which people are acknowledged and what films win and why; you can’t let yourself focus on it. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel incredibly exciting when you get one.
Was your Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama [for True Blood in 2009] more gratifying?
Yeah, in a way. I think something that I was conscious of when I was working for it, to get rewarded for it, it feels like I’ve actually done something. [With The Piano which was directed by Jane Campion] I just kind of showed up on the film set and did what I was told, and I didn’t really know why everyone was making such a big deal. The acknowledgment as an adult really feels like it’s more mine, it’s something that I can take credit for. I work really hard, thank you very much. I didn’t expect it, I didn’t need it, but thank you. That was all my work. [Laughs]
As the show’s profile rises, you’ve been involved in some iconic magazine shoots [Anna, Stephen and co-star Alexander Skarsgård appeared on the August 2010 issue of Rolling Stone magazine naked and covered in blood]. Do you like doing them?
I love that kind of stuff. They’re pure fantasy; dressing up, beautiful clothes, amazing locations. I think clothing tells a story all by itself. And it’s another tool we have as actors to express our character. I’ve always loved that aspect of it. Like, how short your nails are or how practical your outfit is. All these sorts of things play a big factor in giving people an immediate in as to who that person is. Not that it’s all about aesthetics, but as far as visual storytelling, a lot of it is. And manipulating people’s minds will immediately make them feel a certain way and that’s interesting to me.
What’s next on your career agenda?
An indie film called Straight A’s which makes no sense unless you read the script. It’s me and Ryan Phillippe, who is incredibly talented. I think he’s going to be amazing. I don’t think people give him enough credit for being a really serious actor. He’s fantastic.
Who are your favourite designers?
I always loved Alexander McQueen. I love what Sarah Burton is doing with the house now. I wore one of her dresses to the [2010] Emmys, shortly after he passed away, and then I got to meet her in London and she showed me around the showroom. It was amazing.
Did you meet him?
Sadly, no. But I wore a lot of his clothes and I’ve always been a big fan. His legacy is very edgy, but very intricately feminine, which is a combination not many people can pull off. I feel like Sarah’s continued on with that. I got to see some of the stuff that was in the middle of being prepared for the next show. It’s like getting to see behind the curtain. There were these intricate shoes being cast out of plaster. It was unbelievable.
What did you make of Kate’s dress?
Are you kidding? It was gorgeous. Just gorgeous. I mean, it’s a whole new take on ‘royal’.
Stephen is from the UK and you also have a house in London. It sounds like you’re becoming an honorary Brit?
I love that you can’t throw a stone without hitting an amazing Indian restaurant in London. That’s kind of the first thing we do when we go back to London, eat really good curry. Now I really want Indian food. Our house is right near Hampstead Heath, and when it’s sunny in London, there’s just nothing quite as beautiful. I also love any city that has a good public transport system, because then you feel like you can immediately get around and go places and have adventures on your own.
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