How agreeable are you?
It depends on how many hours of sleep you catch me on or if I’ve eaten. But there is a certain level of agreeableness and understanding you need when working in film and TV. Theatre is an actor’s medium; film and TV are a film-maker’s medium. Sometimes you can’t see the vision and you have to trust them.
I did comedy for the first time with the TV show Ted Lasso. When you do something enough times on set it’s not funny any more. I’d leave set and think: I wasn’t very funny today. Then you watch the edits and see how they cut it up and you’re like: “Okay, now I understand you.”
What is your middle name and what do you think of it?
My middle name is Louise. I had to ask my mother for the meaning, and she just said she really liked the name. My Confirmation name is Bridget. The only saints I knew when I was a child were Mary and Bridget, and my aunt was already called Mary, so Bridget it was.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
Belfast. It’s always been my favourite place. My mother is from Armagh. I’ve done the panto for years. I think Belfast is the most concentrated place of Irish culture and trad. It has everything as a city. It’s small enough, it has pubs, it’s a little bit cheaper. My parents met in Belfast too, so I love it. It’s the best night out, and the taxi drivers are the best. I’ve never been in a taxi in Belfast and not had a great chat with the driver.
RM Block
Describe yourself in three words
Garden. Bubbles. Onomatopoeia.
What is your strongest childhood memory?
I have such a vivid long-term memory. I’m not sure if it’s hereditary because my uncle can remember things from when he was two or three. I think my favourite memory is visiting my grandmother’s house in Co Monaghan. It’s a big house on a big plot of land with a farm. It was full of making scones with my family and catching frogs in the garden and playing in this world so separate from Dublin. I’m a culchie in my core.
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
I’ve detached myself from material items because I’ve lost around 20 water bottles this year so far. It’s like when you see yourself wearing a top in a picture and you’re like: “Where’s that gone?”
In a greater sense I would think it would be maybe the loss of close relationships. It’s hard. In the moment you can love something so much and don’t want this moment to pass and you can grasp on too hard and tarnish it. As young people we are always changing. I’m 23, so my life is constantly evolving like one big long, winding road. Sometimes you can’t take people on it with you and other people can’t take you on theirs and they fork off the road. Now I understand we can both merge again in the future.
Where do you come in your family’s birth order and has it defined you?
I am an older sister to my core. I’m holding it down. It’s crazy but I just recently realised I don’t have a lot of best friends that are younger siblings.
When do you think you were happiest?
I really do think I am happiest now. . Earlier this year I was coming off Ted Lasso and I had finished college; it was my first time outside of education. I was just burnt out and my life changed overnight and I had everything I had ever wanted but wasn’t very happy. But you have to break down to break through. But now I am at my happiest and I have never been more me. I am literally doing my dream job, I have my dream friends and family and I’m in love. Living the dream.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
When you have red hair people just think Jessica Chastain. But I love Emma Stone. Her range is next to nothing. She’s doing comedy, drama, musicals and everything. As actresses we have a similar essence. She’s one of my favourite actresses ever.
What is your biggest career/personal regret?
I think regrets are not helpful. Everything is either a win or a lesson. However, with that being said ... there has been self-sabotage in the past in my professional life and relationships sometimes. I am learning as I go. I didn’t have someone back then to show me the way. Now I am where I am meant to be and I am doing what I was always meant to do.
