‘I enjoy working in the action space’: Annabelle Wallis

As an actress, Annabelle Wallis has only gone from strength to strength. With TV shows like The Tudors and Peaky Blinders, and movies like The Mummy and Annabelle, she has proved that she is somebody to look out for. With a number of interesting projects in her kitty, she speaks to After Hrs about getting inspired by strong women around her and what’s next...

How had the experience of working in The Mummy with Tom Cruise been for you?

It was such an epic movie. Firstly, Tom Cruise is such an icon, he’s someone I grew up watching. He was a big part of my casting, so really grateful to him. Also, we had stadium- size sets. We went out to Africa and created an entire village. It was a size and scope we don’t often get to work in.

You had done some of the stunts yourself...

I’m a tomboy and I was adamant that I was going to run on screen with Tom! I used to race him in the gym and we thought we should add some scenes in the movie. I love the action space. I like crossing boundaries and who better to do that with than Tom Cruise!

You’ve done The Mummy and the Annabelle movies. Are you a fan of horror and supernatural? 

I like all genres but there is something captivating about a film that makes you feel afraid or gives you an eerie feeling. It ignites your instincts. I love movies that help people go into another world. I grew up watching Hitchcock’s movies. I like movies like A Room with a View and The Shining. Among the newer ones, I love A Quiet Place with Emily Blunt.

You seem to not be afraid of taking risks in your career. Where does this innate sense of confidence come from?

From my mother. It’s great when you have parents who support your choices and stand by you. It can be anyone, even a friend. For me personally, it’s my mother. She was like, ‘Be brave, go out, be your own boss, follow your dreams’. When you’re fortunate enough to hear that as a child, it’s very powerful.

Do you consider your role in Peaky Blinders as a turning point in your acting career?

Yes, I definitely call that a big turning point. It’s not often that you get such well-written female parts to play. Now, of course, there is an abundance of support for female characterisation, but at that time, I was young and unknown and wasn’t getting those kind of scripts. We all knew when we started filming, that we were doing something special. It’s stood the test of time and its popularity is only increasing.

Do you go by instinct when you’re narrated a role or a script?

I think as a woman I feel many things. We’re complex, maternal, dark, devious and heroic. So I feel indebted to honouring the examples of women I have seen and been inspired by. It’s interesting to read a part of a woman who is like that — diverse and complex, not so much a hero but an anti-hero, but truthful, because women are far more complex than men. I love to look for that in a character and stretch myself into uncomfortable spaces. I think fear plays a big card in this. When I feel afraid of something, when I don’t know how I will be able to pull it off, I’m like, ‘I have to do it now!’

What’s next?

I’m doing this project with Russell Crowe called The Loudest Voice in the Room. It’s about the rise of Fox News and the sexual harassment allegations that took place. It’s very timely in current conversations. Then there is a sci-fi thriller Warning, and a Western movie where I play a dark character.

Watch the Indian Television Premiere of The Mummy on Sony Pix.