Anna Brewster is rarely on the side of the angels.
She betrayed Han Solo et al to The First Order in The Force Awakens, schemes her way through court as the ruthless Madame de Montespan in Versailles, and now takes the lead in Netflix thriller The Last Days of American Crime. (As the title suggests, it's not a rom com.)
The real-life Brewster has also been to some dark places – such as the much-lamented Cheapskates nightclub in Soho, where she managed to lose her grandmother's ring.
Everyone in the world will have a similar tale – I left my great-grandfather's cigarette case at the university bar – but at least Brewster can remember the design so creating another is very much an option.
And Cheapskates shut a few years back – eliminating the possibility of a second mishap.
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
Everything has been on hold since the Covid-19 outbreak, I think they are finally starting to move again, but sets are naturally places with lots of people in close proximity so I guess it will take a bit of time to get back to work still unfortunately.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
As your career progresses the jobs get bigger and the stakes higher. I think different jobs hold different accomplishments.
Being the lead in a Netflix film is really cool, but being in Star Wars for five mins is also really cool in a totally different way.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
I don't think we can really live like that, to change something would be to regret it and I think everything has got me to where I am today. So I don't really look back and regret anything.
On a personal level I'd maybe have less tattoos, that extra hour in make up is kinda annoying.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
I'd really like to do some theatre. I didn’t go to drama school, so I feel like I missed opportunities on that front, it's a totally different way of working and I'd be fascinated to learn.
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
I have really inspiring people around me. I have lots of strong women in my life. Life is hard and it's really important we stick together and help each other.
Sometimes I get in a bit of a funk about what I'm doing and I look to the people around me and they inspire me to keep going and push harder – whether it be on a personal or professional level.
Lots of my friends have families and run successful businesses, but if they are happy that's what is most inspiring.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
I have a massive hat obsession.
Seb Barros
Seb Barros
Style
What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
God I have so many. I have this pair of Manolo Blahnik boots I got years ago, and it was the first time I bought something expensive for myself.
I remember calling around London from the set of Mrs Henderson Presents trying to track them down and eventually found in Harrods, half a size too big.
Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?
I have the trio Cartier ring I got for my 30th. I love it so much and never take it off.
It was given to me in Venice just after a friend of mine committed suicide, so it also reminds me a lot of him.
What items do you take on holiday and why?
Sunglasses. I actually don't like wearing them but I'll always pack like ten pairs whenever I go away.
Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?
A ring of my grandmother's. It had a big dusty green stone on it and I lost it around ten years ago in a club.
I think it was Cheapskates and I waited till it closed and looked all over the floor but couldn't see it.
It was just costume jewellery, but i have the design imprinted in my brain and I want to try get it remade.
What’s next on your shopping list?
I'm really into the Carel Mary Janes.
What would you buy if money was no object?
I'd build an amazing house on a lake (think Ozark) and do some amazing Interiors.
View on Instagram
The Last Days of American Crime is on Netflix now
