Lydia Wlson
This season, Lydia Wilson graced the Broadway stage with her uncanny portrayal of Kate Middleton. But her exquisite performance in one of this year's best reviewed plays, King Charles III is no surprise given her resume both on these shores and the U.K. In 2010, Lydia appeared in the Olivier Award-winning Blasted at the Lyric Theatre by Sarah Kane. Her film and television work includes “About Time” with Rachel McAdams and the British television series, “Ripper Street”, which she is currently filming. This week, Lydia travels back to the U.S. to take a seat On the Couch.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
My brothers Seb and Josh.
What was your proudest moment?
The birth of my beautiful nephew Wolfie twenty months ago!
What is your favorite drink?
Matcha latte…is that lame?
What is your favorite food?
Vietnamese vegetarian Spring rolls. God made them.
What is your favorite condiment?
Marmite. Google it. English poison.
What is your current obsession?
My aforementioned nephew.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Laziness. It's actually a sin.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I've always dreamed of playing a man. And playing a dancer. Rudolf Nureyev?
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Uber. I injured my ankle on a film in the summer and I couldn't walk so I developed an Uber habit that's hard to quit.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Lying in bed solving problems in my head that dissolve when I stand up straight?
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Butter. But apparently it's healthy again!
What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
My parents are gentle, curious and hardworking, extremely humble. They inspire me.
What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Me and my brothers can't get through a sentence without punning because my Dad's brain is a pun factory.
What in the world most thrills you?
The feeling when you introduce two friends of yours who didn't know each other before and they get on so well. I always thought there should be a special word for that feeling.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Anxiety induced by social media and the conjoining of acting with celebrity.
What was the single most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced on the job?
On Ripper Street last week, I was doing a scene with the genius Matthew Macfadyen who plays Edmund Reid and instead of saying ' I am very fond of you dear, dear Edmund' I said ' I am very fond of you dear, dear Matthew' he laughed and made it all instantly okay but I was crimson.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Provincetown, Massachusetts. My mom grew up going there every summer and so did my brothers and I. The light, the sailboats, my family and friends and the amazing energy.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Oh if I knew that I'd have it all wrapped up by now…
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
My mom rescued a dog from in front of her bus in Notting Hill Gate in 1982. Poochie was his name. He was our angel. Dogs.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Everyone would meditate for ten minutes. Is that dogmatic of me?
What is your personal motto?
Nobody is a bad person. What I love about theatre is that it dignifies every character by virtue of putting them on a plinth and giving them breath.