We Speak Actors

Actress Charlie Blackwood on her new role in the just-released Apple TV+ series ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’

Published

1 year ago

November 30, 2023

Oihane Molinero

Charlie Blackwood’s career debuted at The National Theatre, followed by The Royal Opera House, London. In quick succession, she fast became known for her lead role in ‘Matriarch’ movie released by Lionsgate and now she’s taken a new role in TV which has just been released. ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’ is produced for Apple TV+ by MetFilm and Concordia Studios, the same producers of Apple’s ‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’ which is this year’s most Emmy-nominated documentary. The series is directed by Jerry Rothwell. Executive producers are Al Morrow, BAFTA winner Stewart le Maréchal, Oscar Award-winning Davis Guggenheim, Jonathan Silberberg and Nicole Stott.

Charlie, can you tell us about your appearance in the new Apple TV+ series ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’?

Sure, I play the role of Teacher in Episode One. The show is about the most famous and well-documented poltergeist haunting in history, which happened in Enfield, London during the 1970’s. The show’s creators of used real-life audio recordings taken at the time of the hauntings and actors to reenact those scenes. It’s very unique, and has a wonderful balance of reenactment, real-life interviews and beautifully crafted cinematic scenes. We had the cast & crew screening last week and I have to say this is such an awesome project to be part of. Audiences are in for a treat!

How did you prepare for the role?

My preparation was different to any usual approach for me, as we were acting alongside the audio recordings and therefore had to lip-sync. This seemed similar to when I watched ‘London Road’ at the National Theatre, however, achieving this on-screen seemed like a bigger feat, to give audiences an authentic, realistic close-up performance. The voice of the character I was playing was unfamiliar and brought out characteristics I would perhaps not have chosen otherwise. It was such fun to explore the breath and vocal inflexion of the teacher in the recording and bring her voice to life.

What was your experience on the set of ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’?

I love being on set, whether it’s film or TV; it seems to be my happy place.

“I enjoy the camaraderie that comes with a team of like-minded individuals coming together to create something new and exciting. Some amazing friendships have come from being on set, ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’ being no exception.”

Working with an earpiece was a new experience for me. We were given them on set to hear the audio recordings, which enabled us to keep the accuracy of the performance. It did take me a moment to get used to it. As an actor you’re actively listening to the other characters in the scene – it was strange to hear them so clearly in your own head!

Where are you currently more, in the UK or US?

I move between the UK and the US depending on work. However, with the SAG-AFTRA strike I have found myself in the UK for a longer period.

BTS of Charlie Blackwood in Blue Salt (Paint Brush).

Which project should we look forward to seeing you in next?

‘Blue Salt’ is my next project which was filmed in Mexico in 2022. It’s just had its debut festival screening at The Monterrey International Film Festival, in which Variety selected it among the “10 Most Outstanding Films at Monterrey”. The story centres around the character I play, called Connie, who finds herself in a toxic relationship where she is being manipulated and essentially gas-lit by her partner Vic, played by Gustavo Sánchez Parra. Her situation is made even more harrowing by the fact that she’s isolated by language and cultural barriers. The film is directed by Alejandro Cervantes Polanco, who is making his feature film debut, alongside cinematographer Juan Jose Saravia, and production company Cómplice Films. I imagine it’ll hit a distribution deal for next year and will be released in Spanish and English – the Spanish title being ‘Sal Azul’. There is so much to say about ‘Blue Salt’, but it’s perhaps best to keep it under wraps a little longer, for when audiences will be able to get their hands (or eyes) on it!

All four episodes of ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’ are now available on Apple TV+

‘Matriarch’ movie is available on Sky Store UK and Amazon Prime US.

Featured photo credit: Oihane Molinero

We Speak Actors

Robert Besta appears opposite Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in new Netflix film ‘Back In Action’

Published

5 days ago

January 16, 2025

Anna Sutton

‘Back In Action’, dropping tomorrow on Netflix, is a fast-moving action comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx as a middle-aged couple with children who are pulled back into being spies after their secret identities are exposed. Among the star-studded cast (the film also features Glenn Close and Andrew Scott), German actor Robert Besta plays an Eastern European oligarch who possesses some highly sensitive data that the couple want to get their hands on…

Robert, who was born in Poland and grew up in Germany, is an actor and musician known for the films ‘Treasure’, starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry; ‘And Tomorrow the Entire World’, directed by Julia von Heinz; and ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin’, directed by Todd Komarnicki.

Robert is also renowned for playing villains in the German TV shows ‘Die Fallers’ and ‘Tatort’, and he brings this skill for evil to his new Netflix role.

“I was happy to slip into the role of the dodgy businessman!” he said. He added that the Hollywood stars in the film were remarkably relaxed:

“It was an incredible and wonderful experience to be in front of the camera in such a big production. Working with Cameron and Jamie was super-relaxed and enjoyable.”

“Both greeted me warmly before the shoot and I chatted to Cameron about everything, so we had already got to know each other beforehand and were able to ease into the scenes. In addition, Jamie always kept everyone in a good mood between the takes and entertained everyone with little jokes and dance interludes!”

Robert Besta at the Berlin premiere of ‘Back in Action’ Photo credit: Netflix, Sebastian Reuter

Robert speaks German, Polish, English and French and used all his languages in the film, with an Eastern European accent layered on top. Filming took place in London, UK and Atlanta, Georgia, and Robert did a lot of preparation for his role: “I prepared as I would for any other shoot: understanding the world in which the role is set, creating a role biography that I can connect with as much as possible, finding out what the goal of every scene is. It takes a lot of preparation to be able to let go of everything on set and be completely with your partner and in the moment.”

He said it was fascinating to see how everything in the film was planned down to the smallest detail, and yet the actors were still given the opportunity to improvise. He explained:

“For example, we invented a completely new scene on set with my film daughter, that wasn’t even in the script.”

“Seth, the director, instructed her to act out a scene with me: he called out lines, she acted them out and everyone was really enthusiastic about it.”

Robert’s acting career began in theatre – after studying at the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, he became a regular actor at the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe. He said: “I didn’t know Karlsruhe until then and had no intention of staying – well, I still live there. In fact, it’s the longest time I’ve ever been in one place in my life.”

After appearing on the red carpet for the premiere of ‘Back In Action’, Robert’s year continues in a similarly high-octane vein, as he prepares to tour with his indie band MICOR as well as work on more exciting TV and film projects.

‘Back In Action’ premieres on Netflix on Friday 17 January.

Featured photo credit: Netflix/John Wilson