- Meredith Henderson, lead actress of "Heartstopper," agreed to a telephone interview. Anyone looking for more info on Ms. Henderson or her films, can visit her IMDB page.
Q: Meredith, can you explain how you first got into the movie business?
A: I was 5 and my mother taught drama. I think it was sorta to keep an out on me. But I kept it up and every year we would do a play and one year an agent was there. Thought I could do more and luckily my mom said yes. At age 11, I got my first job.
Q: How did find this role?
A: I received the chance through my agent. I had never done horror before and hey, I’ve never been bathed in blood before but it wasn’t a problem.
Q: Please explain your role in “Heartstopper”.
A: I play Sara Wexler a troubled young teenager and have troubles, I attempt suicide. But I get hit by a car and that car carries the body of a serial killer. I get transported to the hospital with the serial killer and our hands end up touching. There is a transfer of energy and I try to make people believe me that something bad is gonna happen.
Q: Knowing how movie reviews may skew the perception of one’s product, give us in your own words what you want people to know about this film.
A: Good question. It was just lots of fun, very interesting to explore the idea of “extreme fear.” It was just so unworldly.” Something we don’t see in normal life. It was fun for me. A really fun shoot. Bob Keen, the director, was just lots of fun. He worked on the “Star Wars” movies, specifically the Jabba the Hut Character and it was my favorite character so it was fun to work with him.
Q: If there were one part of the film that was more difficult than you expected, what would that be? Getting a costume to work? Appearing in a certain scene? Certain lines?
A: Just lying in blood, specifically the operating room scene where my charter and Nathaniel and Laura (Nurse Grafton) are hiding from the killer. We were on the floor for like 45 minutes, just lying down. It was very sticky and really gross.
Q: I found the fact that our 2 main heroes spend basically the entire movie, injured, to be a very unique challenge for the characters in trying to survive their situation. What did you think of that aspect of the plot? Did it make your job easier or harder to deal with this facet of your character?
A: Well my character had a leg cast on so it was kinda easy for me to be aware of this. It sorta helped and it was pretty clumsy. But it was a fun extra layer to be terrified and weakened at the same time.
Q: Was there any one day, one moment where you just knew the film would work they way you thought it could?
A: The day we shot the scene with Chambers trying to get into the incinerator room with me and Nathaniel and Laura. There was so much energy and we never knew when he was gonna bash through the door. It was really intense. We were like “Oh My God, what is going on.” Sorta forgot the real world during that scene.
Q: Since “Heartstopper” what have you been working on?
A: I’ve been working on “The Assassination of Jesse James” with Brad Pitt as well “Jumper” with Samuel L. Jackson & Hayden Christopher. Right now I’m on the set of “The Dresden Files.” I have another demon chasing after me.
Q: What’s next for you? If you and I were to talk 1 year from today, what do you think would be on your plate at that time?
A: I hope to be doing a couple films. I also have some scripts in front of me to produce.
Q: Is there any director or actor you really want to work for one day? Someone that you look up to?
A: I adore Gary Oldman and really would like to work with him. Also Ellen Burstyn and of course, Johnny Depp.
Q: You’ve appeared in some TV series and other television episodes. Is that something you enjoy doing, or do you prefer films, doesn’t matter?
A: I prefer films. With films there is a beginning and an end. With TV shows, many times you’re coming into the middle of the arc so although it’s more open with what you can do, you don’t always see the finish. With films, you get to see the end and the full texture of everything.
Q: Anything you wish to add for my readers and visitors? Something special about you that they probably do not know?
A: I’m always trying to get better and improve. I enjoy experiencing new things and just trying to keep improving.
Q: Finally...this is an “Obscure Horror Movie” website. Can you name the last horror movie you watched either at the theatres or on DVD, etc? How about name a favorite horror film that you have seen that most people probably haven’t seen?
A: I recently saw a documentary on the CBC but do not remember the name. The scariest movie has to be “The Changeling.”
Thank you very much for doing this.
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Heartstopper Review Page