1. What are the five best pieces of advice you have for someone starting out in the horror acting and filmmaking business?

1. Find your people. Horror is one of the most collaborative and passionate genres, so surround yourself with like-minded creatives who genuinely love the craft.
2. Learn by doing. Don’t wait for permission—write, direct, act, or produce in any way you can. Even small projects help you gain experience and confidence.
3. Be versatile. Indie horror often requires you to wear multiple hats. The more skills you have—whether it’s acting, writing, editing, or even costume work—the more opportunities will open up.
4. Engage with the horror community. Festivals, social media, and networking events are crucial for building connections and finding collaborators.
5. Take risks. Horror thrives on originality. Commit to bold choices in your performances or storytelling, and don’t be afraid to stand out.

2. What drew you to the role of Queen Ginnarra in The Reign of Queen Ginnarra?

The role of Queen Ginnarra was completely different from anything I had played before. She is cold, calculated, and merciless, and I was drawn to the challenge of portraying someone so powerful and unrelenting. She is fascinating because she fully believes in her own destiny and will stop at nothing to fulfill it. That kind of obsession and self-righteousness makes for such a compelling character, especially in gothic horror, where themes of fate, power, and madness are so prominent.

“She fully believes in her own destiny and will stop at nothing to fulfill it.”

3. How did you prepare for playing such an iconic gothic horror character?

To prepare, I focused on building Ginnarra’s internal world: her backstory, how she sees herself, and how she justifies her actions. I had a long conversation with Lawrie Brewster, the director and writer, about how Ginnarra rose to power. I also researched historical rulers known for their iron will, particularly Queen Elizabeth I, who cultivated an almost mythical image of herself. I also explored the psychology of cult leaders and religious zealots to understand how someone can come to believe that their ruthless actions are justified. Physically, I worked on stillness and presence, in the hope that even when she was not speaking, she still held the attention of the room.

4. What was it like working with Hex Studios/British Horror Studio?

British Horror Studio and Hex Studios are not only my main creative collaborators, but also my good friends (really, they are like family to me). They’re infinitely passionate about creating bold, atmospheric horror, and they give actors the space to really explore their roles in depth. Both Lawrie and Sarah are amazing, as are the rest of the core team. Tom Staunton, our brilliant production manager and sound recordist; Michael Brewster, our talented director of photography and VFX artist; and Neil Cooper, our wonderfully sarcastic New Zealander gaffer. Then there’s Caz Paul, who wears many hats as our art director, prop maker, and fight choreographer, along with all of our fantastic actors and production assistants. They all contribute so much, and each person brings something truly unique to the table.

“There is a real sense of community within the team, and it makes the entire process collaborative, creative, and genuinely rewarding.”

If any fellow creatives are interested in getting involved with British Horror Studio, they’re more than welcome to join our free Patreon page and become part of the community.

5. What do you love most about classic gothic horror?

I love how gothic horror blends the beautiful with the terrifying. There is something so compelling about haunted mansions, tragic figures, and slow-burning dread, where the horror is not just external but deeply psychological. Unlike some modern horror that relies on jump scares (which absolutely has its place), gothic horror tends to linger. It is rich in atmosphere, driven by character, and filled with grand emotions such as love, loss, madness, and obsession – all things I absolutely adore in art.

“Gothic horror tends to linger. It is rich in atmosphere, driven by character, and filled with grand emotions.”

Plus, the costumes and settings are always stunning, which is definitely a bonus! Some of my favourite gothic horror tales from classic literature include Wuthering Heights, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (of course), The Yellow Wallpaper, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

6. What was the most challenging part of filming The Reign of Queen Ginnarra?

To be honest, I had such an amazing time working on The Reign of Queen Ginnarra with the team! If I had to pick the most challenging part, it would be the timing. Pre-production and filming for this project were sandwiched between two other feature films we at British Horror Studio were also working on. We had just finished pre-production and filming on Black Chariot, and as soon as Ginnarra was wrapped filming, we all jumped straight into another project – a Georgian horror-fantasy film that has not been fully announced yet. It was a bit of a whirlwind, and we all had to stay completely focused on each project as it came, doing our best to block out the others so we were not pulled in too many directions. It was definitely a very full-on period, but also incredibly exciting. Getting to work on three completely different feature films, one after the other, was an absolute dream!

7. Do you have a favorite scene from the film?

One of my favourite scenes has to be a surreal, almost dreamlike moment where Elderon becomes paranoid that someone is out to get him… potentially one of his allies. It’s brilliantly acted by the wonderful Andrew Gourlay, Sam Barclay, Adam Barnett, and Novarro Ramon, with incredibly intense cinematography. There’s also an insanely dramatic and epic fight scene between the talented Dorian Ashbourne – who plays Prince Raemin, Queen Ginnarra’s son in the film – and Andrew Gourlay as Elderon. Of the scenes I was in, one of my favourites that doesn’t give too much away is when Queen Ginnarra stands with her Black Claw Guard on top of a rocky cliff, addressing her… dragons! That moment felt pretty epic to shoot.

8. Who are your biggest influences in horror filmmaking and acting?

For directing, especially with my directorial feature debut Spoiling You, Sion Sono and Takashi Miike have been huge influences. I really admire the way they blend psychological horror with shocking intensity, all while keeping deeper themes simmering beneath the surface. More generally, other directors who inspire me include Brian De Palma, Akira Kurosawa, and Coralie Fargeat. I only recently discovered Coralie Fargeat through her incredible film The Substance, and I was absolutely blown away by her dedication to her craft.

“She stuck to her vision from the film’s conception right through to the final result.”

When it comes to acting, I really admire Ingrid Pitt for the way she balanced fierce authority with a sense of fun in classics like Countess Dracula. Charlotte Rampling is another standout, especially in Asylum – she portrays psychological unraveling with such quiet brilliance. Deborah Kerr in The Innocents is also a huge inspiration, bringing raw emotional depth into a gothic horror setting. For a modern influence, Mia Goth is someone I truly look up to. She throws herself into her roles completely, and there’s a beautiful intensity in the way she balances vulnerability with fearlessness. And after watching The Substance, I simply have to add the phenomenal Demi Moore and her co-star Margaret Qualley to that list – both were absolutely mesmerising.

9. What do you hope audiences take away from the film after the premiere?

I hope audiences leave The Reign of Queen Ginnarra feeling like they’ve experienced something grand, dark, and deeply immersive. This film is a Lovecraftian horror fantasy, but is also very much a character study of power, obsession, and the terrifying lengths people go to when they believe they are chosen.

“I want the film to stay with audiences long after they’ve left the theater.”

I also hope people find themselves questioning who they can trust in the story. Loyalties shift, motivations remain hidden, and even those who oppose Ginnarra have their own agendas.

10. Any fun behind-the-scenes moments you can share?

There were plenty of fun moments on set, even in a film as dark as this! The whole team was brilliant at keeping the energy up with their hilariously dry sense of humour and witty banter, which definitely helped during those long filming days. But one standout moment was the race to get all the throne room scenes shot in a single day. We had to film roughly 14 pages – which is a lot – between 9am and 5pm at the stunning Dunfermline Abbey. We were all up at the crack of dawn, getting into hair, makeup and costume so we could arrive as early as possible. The entire production team worked like a well-oiled machine, especially on that day. Lawrie and Michael had carefully planned the shot list and the order of everything, so we could make the most of every single minute we had in that incredible location. It was full-on, but such an exciting day!