Ep 13. Noomi Rapace

Noomi Rapace, the Swedish actress well-known for her role in the original "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" films, is the featured guest on this episode of Off Camera with Sam Jones. In her interview with Jones, Rapace discusses her rise to fame, her approach to acting, and the challenges she's faced along the way.

Jones kicks off the conversation by asking Rapace about her breakthrough role as Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptations of the "Millennium" trilogy. Rapace reveals that she almost turned down the role because she was intimidated by the character's complexity and vulnerability. But something about the role drew her in, and she ultimately decided to take on the challenge.

Rapace also speaks candidly about the pressure she felt in following up the success of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." She says that she became very selective about the roles she accepted and turned down a lot of high-profile projects in order to stay true to her vision of what kind of actress she wanted to be. She points out that it's not always easy to say "no" to big opportunities, but that she feels it's important to be true to oneself and not compromise one's integrity.

The conversation then turns to Rapace's approach to acting. She explains that she likes to get deeply involved in the characters she plays, often doing extensive research and learning new skills in order to fully embody the role. For example, when preparing for her role as an astronaut in the upcoming film "The Secrets We Keep," she spent time with real-life astronauts and learned how to do a spacewalk in order to be as authentic as possible.

Jones and Rapace also discuss the importance of finding the right balance between preparation and spontaneity when it comes to acting. Rapace says that while she likes to come to set prepared with a clear sense of what she wants to do with her character, she also values the serendipitous moments that can happen on set and tries to stay open to those moments.

Throughout the interview, Rapace is open and honest about the challenges she's faced in her career. She talks about the difficulty of breaking into Hollywood as a non-native English speaker and the pressure she's felt to conform to certain beauty standards. She also discusses some of the personal struggles she's faced, including her divorce and her experience with depression.

Despite these challenges, Rapace maintains a positive outlook on life and her career. She talks about the joy she feels in being able to make a living doing what she loves and the sense of fulfilment she gets from taking on challenging roles. She also discusses the importance of maintaining a strong support system and her gratitude for the people in her life who have helped her along the way.

Overall, this episode of Off Camera with Sam Jones offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of one of the most talented actresses working today. From her early breakthrough role to her current status as a sought-after actress with a string of critically acclaimed performances under her belt, Noomi Rapace has made a name for herself as one of the most respected actors in the business. Through her conversation with Jones, viewers get a sense of the hard work, dedication, and passion that have fueled her success.