Leah McNamara is the Star of DSCENE’S August Digital Cover

Breakthrough talent Leah McNamara is DSCENE Magazine’s latest cover star! The irish actress has gained recognition for her roles in projects such as Metal Heart (2018), and Vikings (2013). With captivating performances in the esteemed BBC/Starz series Dublin Murders in 2019 and the sensational Emmy-Nominated series Normal People, she has undoubtedly become a force to be reckoned with. Her portrayal of Rachel in the series solidified her status as a talented actress, capturing the hearts of viewers and sparking countless conversations about the show. With her multidimensional skills and growing body of work, she continues to captivate audiences and impress both viewers and critics alike. In our interview, we discuss her approach to characters, her inspirations, and the exciting projects she has been a part of. Fashion photographer David Reiss captured our August 2023 cover story. In charge of styling was Rachael Perry, with beauty from hair stylist Davide Barbieri and makeup artist Naoko Scintu.

EXCLUSIVE

.From her early memories of being captivated by the theater to her recent projects, Leah shares insights into her journey into acting, her influences, and the dynamic roles she has portrayed.

Can you tell us about your journey into acting?
My earliest memory is going to the theatre as a toddler and straining to see up over the stage as I was so small! I was always surrounded by the arts growing up and I was really fortunate that artistic hobbies were always encouraged by my parents. For a while I definitely wanted to be a singer. I started doing musicals, took up dancing, singing and piano and eventually realised that I wanted to make acting my main focus. I always kept an eye out for open auditions and one day I managed to make it to a street casting with casting director Louise Kiely and she ended up giving me my first acting role. She has been a huge support to me during my career.

Are there any particular actors or actresses who have inspired or influenced your own acting style?

Charlize Theron, she never repeats herself and is incredibly transformative in every performance. If you haven’t seen her in Monster, you definitely should!

What type of roles or genres do you feel most drawn to, and why?

Anything that is good writing. I have no specific love or dislike of any genre, once the material is of a high standard I want to get on board! I would definitely love to do some comedy next as I have done mostly dramatic roles to date.

My earliest memory is going to the theatre as a toddler and straining to see up over the stage as I was so small! I was always surrounded by the arts growing up and I was really fortunate that artistic hobbies were always encouraged by my parents.

“Normal People” has garnered widespread acclaim for its honest portrayal of relationships and the complexities of young adulthood. What do you think makes the series resonate with audiences, and how do you believe your portrayal of Rachel contributes to the overall impact of the story?

I think this series came at a time where people were at a total loss during the pandemic. Normal People is such a beautiful and complex love story and it touched a lot of people during a very strange and turbulent time. The world was suddenly void of human connection and contact and Normal People is all about deep human connection and love. Rachel is ultimately a person dealing with unrequited love and I always sympathised with her. She is definitely flawed but who isn’t? Of course I have always been team Connell and Marianne! In terms of the overall story she is definitely an obstacle on their love course and she serves as a vehicle for us to emphasise with Marianne. Connell asking Rachel to the debs was pretty messed up, for sure!

How did you approach portraying the character of Rachel in the TV series “Normal People”? What aspects of her personality did you find most interesting to explore?

The book was a really helpful tool to have as the scripts were very closely adapted from the book. I read it plenty of times as well as the scripts. I wanted to show Rachel’s vulnerability in moments and Lenny and I had discussed how it was important that she wasn’t a one note stereotypical “mean-girl”. I didn’t want to judge her and instead tried to understand her.

In the movie “Danny Boy,” you portrayed the character of Lucy Wood, who is based on a real-life person. How did you approach preparing for this role and ensuring an authentic portrayal?

Brian Wood’s book was wonderful source material for my portrayal of Lucy as it gave great insight into their home life. As an actor the script is always the priority, anything else just helps to serve your overall understanding of the person and the circumstances. As there wasn’t any media materials existing of Lucy, I created my own version of her while making the portrayal as accurate possible with the bit of information that I had.

Working on a project that is inspired by real events can come with its own set of responsibilities. How did you navigate the balance between staying true to the story while also bringing your own interpretation and creativity?

You trust the director’s vision as well as your own commitment to the character and the story. Sam Miller is an amazing director and a really lovely person so I always felt the story was in safe hands. Once you have done all the prep you can possibly do, you trust the work is there and everything else will follow when the cameras are rolling.

Tell us about your new project Then You Run.

Then You Run is a darkly comic, coming of age, psychological thriller that follows four best friends from London. What starts out as a fun getaway to Rotterdam, quickly turns to a thrilling road trip with the girls on the run from some of Europe’s most dangerous criminals. There is something in it for everyone and I promise you will be entertained!

How did you prepare for your role as Tara in ‘Then You Run’?

I was fortunate to have had more time than usual with the scripts prior to filming due to covid delays. Being free from time pressures allows more room for exploration and experimentation and it means a character can develop really organically. I also had a playlist for Tara filled with music I felt resonated with her and the world of the story.

Did you draw inspiration from the novel or bring your own interpretation to the character?

I definitely drew some inspiration from the novel but with the knowledge that the script and the show are very different. The series is a loose adaptation, but “You” is a real page turner and I was able to pick and choose from the elements of the book that I felt could serve Tara and the world we were creating in Then You Run. The Tara I formed was really from studying the scripts at length.

‘The show explores the theme of friendship and loyalty in the face of danger. How did you approach portraying the dynamic between Tara and her closest friends in the series?

The four of us were in a WhatsApp group from the moment we were cast and we all instantly hit it off. We had a lot of rehearsals prior to shooting and we hung out together all the time in Berlin. That bond was key to the portrayal of the four of us as best friends as it meant that the chemistry on screen was actually real. We really had so much fun!

The series combines elements of drama, thriller, and dark comedy. What was it like navigating these different genres as an actor, and how did you find the balance between the intense and humorous aspects of the show in your performance?

I think we were working with such brilliant material and that balance really exists within the writing, serious moments are wonderfully balanced with laughter or a joke and I think light and dark always work together in tandem, one can’t exist without the other. Tara is one of the less comedic characters on the show, she is carrying around a huge weight on her shoulders and she is trying to keep a lid on a lot of demons.. she definitely doesn’t always succeed as you will see throughout the series. The girls have some really hilarious moments which I think are counteracted well by Tara’s more reserved nature.

What kind of personal growth or transformation can we expect to see in your character as she navigates through the intense and dangerous journey?

Tara has to grow up very quickly, she really comes of age during the series but under very drastic circumstances. She gains a huge amount of strength in herself but in doing so she really tests the bonds of her relationships with those closest to her. She’s on a path of self-discovery, albeit a very dangerous one and she will stop at nothing-no matter the consequences. I don’t want to give too much away but her journey is definitely a wild one!

I am still so early on in my career but I definitely think you need to have a really strong work ethic and a thick skin. Know that it isn’t personal and sometimes you are just not right for a role, and that’s okay. Look after yourself and make sure your life is filled with lots of other things that fulfil you and bring you joy.

Can you share a behind-the-scenes story or an interesting experience from one of your film or television projects?

I recently did two back to back projects where I was filming with horses. They are such incredible creatures and I loved spending time with them. We can learn a lot from animals! I really built a bond with one horse called Tango and it was some of the most enjoyable days filming I’ve ever had.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring actors who are just starting their own journey in the industry?

I am still so early on in my career but I definitely think you need to have a really strong work ethic and a thick skin. Know that it isn’t personal and sometimes you are just not right for a role, and that’s okay. Look after yourself and make sure your life is filled with lots of other things that fulfil you and bring you joy.

Then You Run is available on Sky Max and streaming service NOW from 7 July.

Photographer: David Reiss @davidreissphotography
Stylist: Rachael Perry @rachaelperrystyling
Makeup Artist: Naoko Scintu @naokoscintuat The Wall Group using Victoria Beckham Beauty
Hair Stylist: Davide Barbieri @davidebarbieri_
Talent: Leah McNamara @leahdmcnamara