“The Little Mermaid” star Jess Alexander shares insights about her portrayal as the human incarnation of Ursula, her experience collaborating with renowned Hollywood talents, and further details about this eagerly awaited project.
Jess Alexander is a rising star in the world of acting, captivating audiences with her magnetic presence, undeniable talent, and versatility. Born and raised in London, England, Jess discovered her passion for performing at a young age. Her journey in the entertainment industry began with roles in television series and films, where she showcased her remarkable acting skills and ability to bring complex characters to life. In the highly anticipated live-action rendition of “The Little Mermaid,” Jess Alexander plays the role of Vanessa, the alter-ego of the iconic character Ursula, played by Melissa McCarthy. Portraying this pivotal character, she delves into the complex and captivating transformation that Vanessa undergoes in this enchanting underwater tale. For our interview, Jess Alexander offers a glimpse into her artistic process, her experiences on set, and her aspirations for the future.
Congratulations on your upcoming role in Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid”! Can you tell us a little about your character and what it was like to work on such a highly anticipated project?
I’m honestly just honoured to be a part of the story, and the entire experience. Like millions of people, the original cartoon was something I watched and adored when I was a kid and it was a huge part of my childhood. And Vanessa – even though she’s in the film for such a short period of time she’s just an iconic baddie! And I love playing a villain. So it’s just surreal seeing my face pop up in the middle of what is such a masterpiece. It was just a joy to work on, everyone was so excited to be there and I learnt so much in such a short space of time. And on top of that, I made some great friends, so you can’t really ask for much more than that.
You’ve worked on a variety of projects across film and television – is there a particular genre or type of role that you find most challenging or rewarding?
I don’t think there’s any specific thing I like the most, I genuinely want to throw my hat in the ring for every kind of genre there is – I’ll try anything once when it comes to acting. But without a doubt I love the dark stuff, the stuff that disturbs me and the viewer, and roles that are physically demanding are always the most rewarding. I love getting in bed after a huge set day doing fight scenes and just feeling totally battered. I sleep like a baby!
How did you get started in acting, and when did you realize that it was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
I think the question is more ‘when did acting get started with me’… Because it was always something that made me feel so alive and present – it was only once I started getting jobs, that I knew I might stand a chance of actually making a career out of it. When I was like five, I starting going to this after school drama club called Monster Cat in my local church hall every Wednesday and this amazing woman called Erica used to run it. That’s where I first remember feeling the indescribable freedom acting gives you. I decided I was going to be an actor, and I just never let it go. When I want something, I tend to obsess.
You’re starring alongside some major Hollywood talent in “The Little Mermaid” – what was it like working with the likes of Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem?
Again, it’s just a trip to even be mentioned in the same sentence as people like that so early on in my career and I just feel really grateful that Rob and John took a chance on me. Melissa is someone I’ve looked up to for a long time especially for her work in the comedy world – she was one of the first actresses that made me laugh out loud until my stomach hurt. When I first saw her as Ursula I lost my mind – she’s phenomenal. And don’t even get me started on Halle because she’s just a once in a blue moon kind of talent. When I hear her sing I get goosebumps. The entire cast just committed so beautifully to the story, and so everything has so much heart and gravity to it.
You recently starred in Kate Cox’s “Into the Deep” for Lionsgate – what drew you to that project, and what was your experience like working on it?
I mainly took that movie because I simply wanted to experience what the hell it would be like getting a film crew on a 100 year old sailing yacht, at sea for 8 hours a day. It’s no easy feat! I also adore Cornwall, where we shot, and I was going to work on the same beach I played on as a kid on family holidays, so it was weirdly a very spiritual sort of full-circle four weeks for me. I also love playing a vengeful, violent woman! I get to let my wild side out with roles like that and it’s just nothing but pure ridiculous fun. Plus, my costar Ella Rae became one of the most important people in my life after that summer.
You’ve been involved in several projects that have premiered at major film festivals like TIFF and London Film Festival – what is it like to see your work screened on such a big stage?
It’s strange because many of the indie films I’ve shot were filmed and came out during the whole covid era, so I didn’t get to go to any festivals and really feel it happening. I suppose for me, it just felt rewarding to know that the hard work everyone who was a part of these projects had put it, was getting the recognition it deserved, even in such a weird time for art. I also always wanted to work on independent projects especially early in my career, so for sure seeing a small film like A Banquet get recognition at TIFF and BIFA gave me a personal sense of achievement. Indie films are the best and I’m glad more people who aren’t necessarily cinephiles are exploring that world more these days.
What was your first professional acting job, and what did you learn from that experience?
My first job that I actually got paid for was a great short film titled ‘Truck’. I was about 15 or 16 I think, and we filmed it over 5 days one summer, all in the back of this stinky white truck. It was a sort of post apocalyptic thing. It was the first time I got to get down and dirty with fake blood and up close to a camera, and I just remember loving it. All I could think was ‘Yep, I want to do this again and again and again.’
You’re set to star in the upcoming series “Fallen” for Silver Reel – can you give us a hint about what audiences can expect from that project?
This is going to be a special one! I know the later episodes are still in the edit, and it’s all pretty hush hush, but I had an incredible time filming that in Budapest. It’s an action and love-packed reimagining of the Fallen books with some added twists and turns. It’s full of new actors who are brilliantly talented, and it’s shot so beautifully, I genuinely don’t think there’s another teen show that looks the way this does. I’ve only seen one episode so far, but it’s looking pretty epic.
You’ve also appeared in several short films throughout your career – do you approach those projects differently than you do feature-length films or television shows?
I don’t approach them any differently. Each character I play will have my undivided attention from start to finish. I suppose the only difference is when I shoot a long project, like Fallen which was about 4-5 months, I definitely get a lot more lost and immersed in the world my character is submerged in. I become useless at keeping up with my ‘real’ life and kind of go off the grid a bit. With shorter projects it can be easier to dip in and out, but I only ever seem to play quite intense roles, so that’s easier said than done. I recently shot a 5 day short that involved all this fighting in corsets and heels, and let me tell you, that 5 days was enough to finish me off!
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in the acting industry?
Be kind to yourself. Don’t take yourself seriously. No one knows what they’re doing, really, at the core of it, even if they seem like they do, so forget what anyone thinks about you and trust your instincts. And don’t give up. That’s easily the main thing. It can take so long to get a ‘yes’ and as long as you don’t give up, I always believe another ‘yes’ is right around the corner.
You’ve played a range of different characters throughout your career – is there a particular role that you feel was especially challenging or rewarding?
They’ve all been challenging for different reasons, and I sincerely hope every role I get to play in the future will be too. You don’t get the reward without the challenge. But I’d say playing Betsey in A Banquet was special to me, not just because it was my first film role, but because it was my first time really proving to myself that I could pull off a role like that. I got into this industry because I love acting, but I love acting because it forces me to push myself. And at the time, that performance was a push. It really made me believe in myself and what I was capable of feeling and expressing.
What’s next for you in your career – are there any upcoming projects that you’re particularly excited about?
Fallen is the main one I’m sitting on right now… There’s a few other things bubbling… But a magician never reveals her secrets. I guess we’ll wait and see.
Originally published in DSCENE issue 19, out now in digital, with print copies shipping on July 1st – shop now.
Photographer Joseph Sinclair @josephsinclair using @leica_camera
Stylist Natalie Roar @natalieroar
Makeup Artist Brooke Turnbull @brookelturnbull
Hair Stylist Pete Burkill @peteburkill
Talent Jess Alexander @jessalxander
Styling assistants – Annie Tshichimbi and Eden Charkani
