Few people will look like a goddess in a bathrobe and slippers, but Emma McKee she succeeds, which perhaps explains why she is the face Burberry’s new Goddess perfume but we are not. When we decide to stop and talk in the dressing room in the middle of filming in a North London studio, he insists that I sit in the most comfortable chair. “Honestly, I look good on a stool,” she says with the brilliance of someone who is very easy to work with.
And he has a job, and his impressive resume belies his 27 years. McKee’s new role as Burberry Beauty Ambassador is just one of many that show just how quickly the British-French actress’s star has grown since landing the role of sweet but badass Maeve Wiley on the cult Netflix series. sex education, just four years ago. She has since starred opposite Kenneth Branagh in Death on the Nile (2022), played writer Emily Brontë in the film. Emily (2022) and appeared in Barbie. In February, he received the prestigious BAFTA Rising Star, Rising Star Award: the fact that previous winners have included James McAvoy, Tom Holland and Kristen Stewart shows that this is just the beginning for McKee.
At first, Barbie – by far one of the most hyped movies of all time, with the added bonus of living up to it – it’s sort of a dream (house). “I’ve always wanted to work with Greta Gerwig,” McKee confirms. “I understand how you think. It’s incredible, joy.” After auditioning for the role through a video she recorded, she says she pestered her agent every day for news. “I really wanted to be a part of it, even to the smallest extent. We all felt that way.”
He enjoyed every moment of the experience, not least the autonomy afforded to each actor. “I have learned a lot. It changed my life. Greta made it clear from the start that she wanted us all to feel truly beautiful, whatever that means to us. So, in terms of outfits and makeup, we were all part of the conversation, which is pretty rare, or in my limited experience, it happens. We all felt heard.” Equally, she praises Margot Robbie, who produced and starred in the film. “Margot played both roles with grace and humor – plus, she’s really down to earth, which is a fantastic quality.” And yes, Ryan Gosling is as charismatic in real life as he is on screen. “He’s so funny and has so many ideas on how to add his own pace to the script. He completely owned Ken’s character.”
center point Barbie in that it gives Mattel’s plastic doll a subtle, complex, and well-rounded character, and I wonder how McKee feels about the lack of complex female roles in movies. Do you think the scripts are getting better? “I don’t think I’ve been here (long enough to comment),” she says. “There have always been great roles, I consider myself very lucky.”
Of course, Greta Gerwig is one of the women making the difference, and I believe she, along with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sharon Horgan, have contributed to shifting the balance of power from men to women through their screenplays written with a promising woman. “I am aware that there has to be a balance,” McKee says. “All parties need to interact with each other to fuel the story. Great things are born from true cooperation. McKee has his own aspirations such as writing and directing in the future. “I’m into producing and I’m surrounded by friends who are great writers. My partner is a writer and director, so he definitely fuels my daily life.”
McKee tries to keep her personal life as private as possible as part of her education, although she says she has two younger brothers, aged 25 and 22, the youngest of whom just graduated from college and “could” follow her sooner or later. . into business. Not that acting is in their blood: Raised in Sables-sur-Sarthe, France to a British mother and French father, McKee is hardly an unpopular kid.
Although she moved from France to the UK in 2013 to study English at the University of Leeds and lived in London when her job required it, McKee says she now mostly lives in France. “I love living there, it calms me down,” she says with a smile, adding that the French culture of cooking and eating together at the table is part of her DNA. “I’ve always been passionate about food and I love cooking. It’s a great way to get creative.” Do you have a favorite type of cuisine? “You can’t go wrong with pasta, can you? (And) when I live in France, I can go to the local market, which is great.”
According to her, she used to worry a lot about being recognized on the street, but now she has less problems with this. “It made me crawl into my shell. But you have to put up with it, and that’s okay.” As shy as she is, Mackey is also strong in both will and spirit. AND perfect face of goddess Burberry, a perfume that, according to the brand, celebrates strength, power and inner confidence. “I am fascinated by how (scent) can instantly transport you to a specific time and place in your life,” she says. Obviously, she’s a big fan of Burberry. “When I think of Burberry, I think of British heritage, comfort, elegance and practicality,” she smiles. “I know practical isn’t sexy, but that’s how I see it.”
McKee is also serious about his career. “Rejection happens on a weekly basis in this life – it’s part of the game. You smile broadly and endure it. Sometimes you get really attached to certain things (roles), but I’m pretty good at moving forward.” Her list of actors she’d love to work with include Emma Stone, Mads Mikkelsen and Viggo Mortensen, though “the list is endless.” And while some of her future projects may not have been revealed yet, she says she will be filming in America with James L. Brooks later this year. She also starred in the film adaptation of the novel. Hot milk Deborah Levy in 2017 with Fiona Shaw and Vicki Krips. Now it’s time to undo the hairpins and brush them out before returning to the camera. Have you ever had bad hair days? “Every day. Constantly. Don’t we all have them?” According to him, he also has days with bad skin. “I have had acne for 10 years and just got rid of it. It was a long process. I could talk about it for hours.”
Unusually for an actor – and indeed unusual for anyone – he did not conduct an interview while fiddling with his phone. He says he has “zero” social media. “I find it crazy how much time people spend on their smartphones. I’m not saying this arrogantly, I understand because it’s completely addictive, but it really scares me. Of course, there are also positive aspects. I’m missing out on great restaurant recommendations, secret gigs and stuff. But people don’t tell me about what they do anymore. When they get good news, they forget to tell me because they put their whole life into stories and wait for everyone to look at them.” Avoiding social media must mean she’s in great mental health, right? No, that’s also a myth. But it helps, yes, no need to constantly swipe your finger. It’s just a waste of time,” she says, shaking her head. And if there’s one thing Emma Mackey shouldn’t lose, it’s time. Not when Hollywood is waiting…
This interview was conducted prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Style: Aurelia Donaldson
From ELLE UK