Laura Marcus: ‘I Endeavour To Be Insufferable’

Streaming now on BBC iPlayer, The Jetty is a twisty mystery led by Jenna Coleman, delving into the dark mystery lying beneath what seems like an open and shut arson case. We sat down with newcomer Laura Marcus who stars as Caitlin to hear all about it.

Interview: Laura Marcus On The Jetty

Hi Laura, how’s life going at the moment?

It’s going great! I’m in Budapest at the moment and it’s very beautiful here – feels like a fairytale city.

You can currently be seen starring in The Jetty – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

The Jetty is a brand-new detective show that follows Ember (played by the ever-incomparable Jenna Coleman) investigating the murky history of her small lake town and shining a particular light on the impact of the MeToo movement and consent. It is an unpredictable, thought-provoking and beautifully acted show.

You play Caitlin – how would you describe her?

When we first meet Caitlin, she is like a deer in the headlights. She’s at the age where she’s questioning everything: her identity, relationships and sexuality. So when she comes into contact with her first ever love, Amy (Bo Bragason), everything is turned on its head. Especially as Amy comes with some serious smoky eyed baggage.

What was it like playing her?

It was a challenge. I’d say there were elements where Caitlin and I overlap, especially with a certain sort of timid curiosity about people, but our tempos are very different. Caitlin has to summon all of her courage to even speak at times and physically moves much slower in her body. Her choices are more exact. I have zero precision or filter so it was interesting to exist in a different rhythm for a time.

How did you get into character/prepare for the role?

I’d love to say I just Sandra Huller’d it and ‘learnt the lines’ but I can’t say that’s how at ease I am with my craft yet. I always start with physicality – it’s my go to. I did a lot of workshopping to see what her neutral state is. The answer to that is awkward. When your body is changing so much, and your whole world is being uprooted, it’s impossible to take up space. You don’t even know what to do with your hands, and you feel like looking someone in the eye is like allowing someone to flick through your personal diary. But I wanted this to evolve through the show. By episode four, she is more grounded and front footed – she’s taking less crap from everyone, and quite literally finding her feet.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Watching our beautiful Chilean director Marialy Rivers experience Rochdale in the peak of winter. By the end, we could just about see her nose through the number of layers she had piled onto herself. She looked like Utica’s sleeping bag runway from Drag Race.

What is the cast dynamic? Who was your favourite person to work with?

It was always a dream to see Bo everyday. We both had a shared desire to serve the writing and do the work as well as look after each other throughout. Both our characters go through a lot in the show, but having someone who is as empathetic, joyful and cool as Bo makes that much easier. We could also fangirl over Billie Eilish for hours so that was a bonus.

You’ve also got season two of The Devil’s Hour coming up. What can we expect from that?

Yet again my character isn’t having the best time… Seems to be a theme… But the show is so wonderfully and intelligently written, it will be impossible to not to be gripped by it.

What was filming for that like?

Great! The whole team are so chilled out yet passionate about what they do so it’s encouraging as a young artist to feel that energy.

You play Teenage Lucy – what is it like to play the younger version of another character? 

This is the third time I’ve played a younger version of someone – which is the most bizarre typecast. None of them look alike, but they’re all phenomenally talented women in the industry so that’s a nice trend. It was great to play a younger version of Jess [Jessica Raine] – she is such an inspiring performer and a great example of why we need more bold leading female actors.

Did it change how you prepared for the role?

Well – without giving too much away – this Lucy can operate in a slightly different way to Jess’, so I had a touch more free reign.

You’ve also starred in the likes of Bad Education, The Great Escaper, Tom Jones… What has been your favourite project to date?

I mean, The Great Escaper will always be a standout moment. To star alongside some of my heroes, including Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine, is still something I’m convinced is all a big dream that I’m waiting to wake up from. I also got to do a big dance scene, which was a complete joy. Our choreographer, Sara, is a master of screen choreography and such a generous soul. Plus, my parents were very smug that the years of tap class in the church hall were finally not wasted.

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? 

Yes! I’m shooting a really exciting project called Death By Lightning for Netflix. It follows the 20th POTUS James Garfield (Michael Shannon) and his assassin Charles Guiteau (Matthew McFadyen). I play the President’s daughter Mollie who I absolutely love. She’s an outspoken, bold and deeply intelligent young lady. I cannot wait for everyone to watch this truly special project.

Which character that you have played in the past has stuck with you the most?

Jinx (Bad Education) will always hold a special place in my heart. She was such glittery ball of ridiculousness which was a wonderful person to be for a bit. It was also a project where I met some of my best mates. All of the cast of Bad Ed are like family to me so every day on set was playtime with my favourite people – it got very very very silly.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I could never!

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I have learnt a lot from so many people for different reasons. It’s very interesting seeing the wide range of how people work on set or gear themselves up before a take. In particular, I remember watching the way Samantha Morton (who plays my mother in The Serpent Queen) held herself. She is such a good example of how to lead a show and take charge of a room but do so with kindness. You felt her command but you knew she had your back. I think we’ve come a long way in the industry with having more females in leading roles, but generally speaking it’s still a very male dominated industry, especially those in control. So, to see someone like Sam smash through all of the outdated expectations of how a woman should operate in these historically male spaces is truly inspiring.

What’s your dream role?

I would love to do something really eclectic and deeply art-nerdy. I grew up loving experimental and physical theatre like the Wooster Group and Gecko so I would love to go back and do something like that. I am also a Yorgos Lanthimos and Wes Anderson super fan, I would die with a smile on my face if a project with them ever manifested.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

Not a genre but I would love to do some theatre. Performing at the National Theatre is my absolute dream – ideally in the role of Masha from The Seagull… In a modern adaptation. This is more specific than requested.

You’re also a great writer – do you have any writing projects coming up?

I’m always cooking up a storm and am currently looking to develop a few different things. If writing was like ceramics, I would be the mad pot lady with a million unfinished jugs on her shelf.

What’s a TV series or film you wish you’d written?

I May Destroy You and Baby Reindeer are the benchmark for what I’d love to create but I’m not sure I’m qualified or skilled enough for such a mammoth undertaking.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

Yeah! But I love to travel for work as well. I’m happy being uprooted for a bit and getting to know a new city. It suits my inability to sit still for 10 minutes very well.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I’m a town mouse, 100 percent. The chaos of a city is soothing to me. Plus, I love flat whites, overpriced small plates and cocktails, @real_housewives_of_clapton culture. I endeavour to be insufferable.

What’s your interior design style?

Well, I’ve moved house four times in the last two years, so my style at the moment is ‘chaotic, nomad chic’. But when I settle, I think maximalism will be the place I end up at. I want to have lots of textures, trinkets, art and plants. A strong hoover will be required.

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

I surround myself with wonderful people back home. My friends are wicked and used to putting up with my disappearing act and terrible craic. I also love making new friends – there’s nothing more bonding than the shared anxiety of a new job so it’s easy to make pals for life at work.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Britney Spears and then Tilda Swinton and then Helena Bonham Carter.

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Put down the hair straighteners and black eyeliner. Trust me.

How can we all live a little bit better?

Just listen to each other.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

I’ve got two new baby cousins who are wicked. We’re planning on one of them growing up to replace Andy Murray as the next male British tennis icon so that’s good news for our family. And for British tennis.

Laura Marcus Recommends…

I’m currently watching… Such Brave Girls 

What I’m reading… Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Challengers 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Kinds of Kindness 

Favourite film of all time… Can’t do all time but at the moment, The Worst Person in the World 

Favourite song of all time… Also can’t do all time but at the moment, ‘Dance Yrself Clean’ by LCD Soundsystem

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Lynks

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Anything Gecko Theatre puts on, especially Institute

Cultural guilty pleasure… Obviously The Traitors but I don’t feel guilty about that at all.

WATCH

Laura Marcus stars as Caitlin in The Jetty. All episodes are streaming now on BBC iPlayer.