Welcome to the Mignonnette Tea Talks, where we speak to wonderful women who inspire us.
Today’s guest is the wonderful British actress Amrita Acharia, who has been in some of the most widely-loved TV series, including Game of Thrones (HBO) and The Serpent Queen (Apple TV).
More recently, Amrita has moved behind the camera, delving into writing and directing - so we believe she is the ideal person to chat about our great loves of enchantment and transforming the world around us.
Amrita, you have such an interesting heritage and grew up in very distinct cultures – can you tell us more about that and how it led you to acting?
I was brought up across Ukraine, Nepal, Norway and the UK. I absolutely loved moving from place to place and experiencing new perspectives, traditions and environments - both in terms of culture and nature. I’ve always been an avid reader, and was led into theatre and film by my love of books, plays, and a fascination with building different characters. I had an amazing teacher in high school in Norway who encouraged me to apply for drama schools and that’s what brought me back to the UK.
Are there specific elements of those cultures that you draw on for the different roles you’ve played through your career?
I think it helps to understand the physical and psychological space a character comes from to create a truthful portrayal. I’m sure I subconsciously draw on people, places or situations from my life, but ultimately it comes down to the writing for me. If the writing is solid, the character develops from your interpretation of it and - during rehearsals or performances - how you collaborate with the director and co-actors, as well as the rest of the creative team. In terms of approaching character work, I generally go by instinct. Whilst I like to think about what has made the character who they are today, why they make the choices they do and how they occupy space within the world of the script, once that’s percolated in my mind for a while, I’m happy to let it go and trust that what’s right will stick.
You co-hosted a podcast with Sagar Radia Rule Not the Exception, focusing on inclusivity in the creative arts. Do you feel the industry has become more inclusive since you started out?
Yes and no. It depends which lens you look at it from. There seems to be more space for - and awareness around - inclusivity, however I’d love to see the conversation move away from words like "palatable". I think we need to ask who we are trying to be palatable for? The world does not just consist of cis, white, able-bodied stories, and whilst streaming has created opportunity and visibility for lesser-told stories, it still feels like a fight to authentically and freely story-tell. There’s been progress but still a way to go to get away from box ticking and the perception of diversity as “risk”.
You’ve recently moved into writing and directing – can you tell us more about what you love about being on the other side of the camera?
I thrive in the creative freedom we’ve had in the independent projects I’ve been part of behind the camera. As an actor you’re there mainly for the shooting part. As a writer and director, you’re there at the inception, the collaboration with your team of creatives is so hands on and extensive. It's incredible to go through a huge amount of exploration across all the components that go into telling the story - from script editing, shot listing, art design and so on before filming - to the actual shoot itself, and then the entire post production process where it evolves even more. I get a huge kick out of being around people that are passionate and brilliant at what they do, and being able to bring to life a shared vision for a story.
What would your dream project be?
As an actress: two things I’m dying to do - play a villain, and to do a sports movie. I find the athlete's mentality fascinating and would lap up the physical challenge.
As a director: get Sleepeater the feature film I’m developing made - it's a psychological horror about insomnia and the manifestation of guilt. It will be doing the festival circuits this year.
With Mignonnette London, deeply embedded in the core of our brand, is that when you put our clothes on, they bring our your inner enchantress, you transform. It starts from our design process, through to the way the finished clothes move on the body.
Acting is a very literal example of transforming into a particular character for a time, but do you find there is a similar transformation process that happens through writing or directing?
Absolutely. I think when you are in a state of “flow” in any art-form and however that is expressed, it is always a transformation process - from one state of mind into another. You come out the other end different to how you went in.
Which characters have you enjoyed transforming into the most?
Each character comes with their own quirks and personalities, it would be difficult to pick a favourite. But I think Aabis in Serpent Queen comes up high as it was my first period drama, and the transformation through costume was so dramatic.
Do you feel you’ve allowed any parts of those characters to blend with your own over time?
I’ll take a trait of a character away that might come in handy down the line maybe!
There’s always a part of you in your characters; my view is they are ultimately some form of a version of you that could be. In another life under other conditions. We could all “be” someone different depending on circumstance. That to me is the exciting part of acting: getting to draw this other version out of yourself, moulding a character through words, interactions, movement and thoughts.
I do like to learn from my roles, but I would say I take what I need and leave my character on set. There’s a clear line for me between who I am and who they are, and I generally look for what’s different in the character from myself, rather than focus on similarities. Purely because it's far more fun to experience something new than something I already know.
The career path you followed demands a huge amount of confidence and self-belief, even on days where you may not necessarily feel your most confident – how do you approach those moments where you need to present that certain side of yourself?
It’s a really tricky part of the industry which I think people experience differently. On days I don’t feel the most confident - at my worst I might throw a pity party or a frustration fest! But at my best, I’ll do the rituals that make me feel powerful- brew a banging coffee, hit the gym and lift heavy stuff, whack on an outfit that makes me feel powerful and go in with nothing to lose. I’m also a big believer in truth. Sometimes I’ll just straight out say I’m terrified/ intimidated or whatever it is and often it can dissipate the feeling.
Do you have tips for people to feel more confident in their daily lives?
Don’t compare. Easier said than done and don’t I know it! Movement and breathwork. Genuinely. In whatever capacity works for you. On a superficial level - I love scents, so I’ll use a perfume that screams presence!
How do you prep when you want to look and feel your best?
Gym or yoga - non negotiable! It’s the anchor of my routine. A simple but good skin care routine. Tons of body oil. A deep tissue massage.
Are there fail-safe items in your dressing room that you rely on to feel incredible?
Leopard print, gold hoops, silk slips and perfume.
What does style mean to you?
Style is a reflection of mood, seasons and presence for me. It’s seeing textures, colour , pattern and cut as an extension of yourself in that moment for a particular space in time. Style to me is a fluid expression, and can evolve constantly as we do. I have my go-tos of course, but I enjoy experimenting and finding things out of the ordinary alongside treasuring classics. I love either keeping things very simple and tailored, or full blown risqué, dopamine dressing.
Who are some of your personal style icons?
Grace Jones, Sophia Loren, Ab Fab’s Patsy, Madonna and Morticia Addams.
What’s your favourite Mignonnette dress?
The Farewell Lovely Trench Dress in black cherry - the colour of the season! I love a burgundy at this time of year, and this dress incorporates some of my favourite textures. I adore the classic simplicity and open back of the slip, and the full length trench-dress veiled over it ooze elegance. The sheer sleeves give a delicate touch to the structured form, so it feels perfectly balanced. I revel in the lightness of the material and how it moves and creates shape.
Amrita is wearing the Mignonnette London Farewell Lovely Trench Dress in Black Cherry
You can discover more about Amrita at:
The Serpent Queen Season 1 and 2 are currently on Starz & Amazon TV.
Sleepeater will be showing at festival circuits this year.
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