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

Interview with Riz Khan: Bringing Kirk to life in ‘Last Breath’

Published

3 days ago

March 3, 2025

Anna Sutton

British actor Riz Khan, known for his roles in ‘This England’ and ‘Curfew’, is appearing alongside Woody Harrelson in the highly anticipated survival thriller ‘Last Breath’. We spoke with him about his experience on the film, working with Emmy-nominated director Alex Parkinson, and his exciting upcoming projects.

You play Kirk in the upcoming film Last Breath. Can you tell us more about your experience working on the project?

Filming took place in May 2023 at the film studios in Malta. It was an incredible experience, and my jaw dropped when I saw the impressively realistic set they had created. It was also a privilege to work alongside Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole—an experience I will never forget.

I played Kirk, one of the team of deep-sea divers in the film. The role gave me a real appreciation for the challenges faced by saturation divers, from the long hours spent in confined spaces to the mental and physical endurance required to survive in such extreme conditions.

How was it working with Emmy-nominated director Alex Parkinson?

It was fantastic working with Alex Parkinson. I learnt so much from his unique style. He is meticulous, with a clear vision of the project, striving to achieve cinematic gold in every moment. His attention to detail really brought authenticity to the film, and it was inspiring to watch him in action.

What have been your most significant projects to date?

I’ve been fortunate to work on several exciting projects. I had a recurring role in the TV series ‘Changing Ends’ and played Arjun in the Paramount production ‘Curfew’. Most recently, I filmed ‘My Oxford Year’, a feature film set to be released later this year.

“Each project has given me the opportunity to explore different characters and work with some incredibly talented people.”

Who would you recommend Last Breath to, and when can people watch it?

I would recommend ‘Last Breath’ to anyone who enjoys a gripping survival thriller based on a true story. It offers a fascinating look into the dangerous and admirable life of deep-sea divers. Those who watched the original documentary will likely be intrigued to see how it has been adapted into a feature film. The movie was released in cinemas on 28 February 2025.

Do you have any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?

Yes! I recently had the pleasure of working with Tom Hiddleston on an NDA television series project, which is very exciting. It’s definitely a career highlight for me, and I can’t wait for it to be released later this year.

“I’m also developing a sitcom at the National Film and Television School. It’s called ‘Needs Help Seriously’ (NHS) and is based on my experiences as a general practitioner over the past 15 years.“

The series is set in a London GP practice and follows a burnt-out doctor navigating the absurdities and challenges of the NHS. It’s a passion project of mine, and I hope to see it commissioned in the near future.

Featured photo credit: Kim Hardy