Wonderland

LIGHTS ON: HARRIET SLATER

British actor Harriet Slater is breaking big with her starring turn in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. She talks inspirations, prequels, and slamming a door in Harrison Ford’s face.

Leicester-born Harriet Slater has been fixated on acting for as long as she can remember. From a childhood littered with theatrics and attending Guildford School of Acting, the 30-year-old has found an array of success across a number of years in the TV world. A recurring turn as Sandra Onslow in DC’s Pennyworth proved a breakthrough, rewarded with a role in the latest film in a cherished franchise – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Slater’s latest performance is perhaps her richest showcase to date. Starring as Ellen MacKenzie in a spin-off of a much-loved show, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, is an impressive prequel to the Emmy-nominated phenomenon. Slater takes centre stage in her biggest role to date, in what could prove yet another significant watershed moment for the ever-rising star.

Wonderland catch up with the actor herself, talking inspiration, fitting into franchises, and the Outlander universe.

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Hey Harriet! Talk us through your early acting origins?

As far as I can remember, acting is the only career I ever seriously considered for myself. I was performing in amateur dramatics in Leicester from the age of six right up until I left home at nineteen to go to drama school. I worked in theatre for the first two years after graduating, before moving into screen, which is where I’ve found myself since. Acting’s always been a huge part of my life. It was my first love and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Who was inspirational for you at a young age?

The first film I ever remember watching was The Wizard of Oz. I must have been four years old. It had a huge impact on me. I was completely swept away by Judy Garland and the magic of cinema. The moment where she steps out of her sepia world and into technicolour still gives me goosebumps… that score! I had photos of her all over my room growing up. Her and Lindsay Lohan – another icon. I completely based my style on whatever movie she was starring in at the time. 2003 was very much skater girl with Freaky Friday, followed by a heavily Mean Girls influenced 2004, which was probably slightly inappropriate for a 10-year-old. I remember putting my VHS of The Parent Trap on the TV when my aunt came round to cut my hair, skipping to the poker scene and saying, “That’s what I want.” I had the longest hair at the time and she turned me from Annie into Hallie in an afternoon. Bad to the bone!

Who proves influential now?

I draw inspiration from everything I watch. I get nerdy about the craft. I love to hear about other actors’ processes. If there’s a moment on screen that I think was executed well, I’ll rewind it and rewatch it and try to break it down. But I’m probably mostly inspired by the people that I work with. I love coming to set and getting my teeth into a different scene each day. That’s one of the biggest differences between stage and screen, I think. With theatre, you get the whole arc of the story and you perform it from start to finish every night, whereas with screen you just focus on a tiny portion of the episode or film at a time. I love the fact that each day on set is different from the last, and I get to work with so many talented, inspirational people who I’ve learned and continued to learn so much from.

You attended drama school at Guildford School of Acting — how was that experience?

It was a blast and I met so many amazing people, many of whom are still my closest friends today. I learnt a lot about acting for the stage and the different ways to approach it, but the majority of my knowledge of screen acting has been acquired on the job. I left school and quickly realised I didn’t have a clue how to act for the camera. I found some classes in London, but nothing can really prepare you for being on a set, other than actually doing the thing. For aspiring actors, I’d say drama school can be a great way to learn your craft and it’s one route into the industry, but it’s not the be all and end all. I think gaining experience is the most important thing.

Your debut TV role came in Pennyworth. Talk us through your role as Sandra Onslow?

I’ll be forever grateful for the people who put me in that show because they really took a chance on an actor who didn’t even know how to hit a mark! The role of Sandra was a gift because she evolved so much from seasons one to three. She began as a meek and naive barmaid who had a crush on the hero, Alfred. I remember my agent calling me after I’d been offered the part and saying, “They want to know if you can sing?” I said, “Erm, I used to sing a lot growing up, but I’m not trained or anything.” But they rolled with it and my first week on the job I sang As Long As He Needs Me from Oliver, in front of a huge cast and crew, which was honestly one of the most terrifying moments of my life! I was shaking. The imposter syndrome was off the charts. But I came away thinking, “If I can do that, then I can do anything.” From there, Sandra became a regular singer in Alfred’s nightclub and by season three, she was a chart-topping star! She had a real journey, not only in her career, but also as a person. She went from being quite vulnerable and lacking in confidence to a much stronger, more assertive and hardened woman. That show was a lot of fun to be a part of and served as a fantastic training ground.

How was it appearing within the DC Comics’ framework?

It was a real privilege to be contributing to a universe that has so many avid fans. There was an element of pressure because, you know, that world means a lot to people and you don’t want to let them down, but the fact that my character hadn’t ever appeared before meant that I had the freedom to really make her my own.

You appeared in the latest offering from the Indiana Jones franchise. How was working with Harrison Ford and co?

Wildly exciting. That was the biggest set I’d ever stepped foot on and it was an honour to slam a door in Harrison Ford’s face. He called me by my real name in one take, whether accidental or deliberate I’m not sure, but it made my day. Everybody I met on that job – Boyd Holbrook, John Rhys-Davies, James Mangold, the crew – they all made us feel extremely welcome and valued, even though we were day players. James’ feedback after my first take was, “Feel your power”, and I’ve never forgotten it. I was scared and I was wilting, and that advice really gave me strength. It was an amazing experience being a tiny part of something of that scale, with so much history and such a huge fanbase. My only regret is that I never got to meet Phoebe Waller-Bridge! I think Fleabag is one of the greatest shows ever made.

Now you’ve been on set within both the Film and TV context, how do the two experiences differ? Do you have a preference?

I guess the main difference as an actor is the fact that when you begin working on a film, you have the whole script, so you know where your character starts and ends and the journey that they go on. You know the story that you’re telling. Whereas with TV, you often begin a job with just an episode or two, and maybe a vague idea of where your character is heading. The rest of the episodes come through whilst shooting and they’re often full of surprises. In a way, that’s nice because it means you can’t anticipate anything and you really have to live in the moment as your character – as we do in real life. It can also be tricky because sometimes things happen further down the line that you wish you’d known about, because it might have altered how you played something earlier on, but that’s something that I’m learning to relinquish. I’d say that I enjoy working on both equally and I just feel insanely lucky every day that I get to do what I love for a living.

Your next big role comes in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. How did the role come about?

It came about in the form of a self-tape, followed by a recall, followed by a chemistry read. That last round was quite unique because the only day that both myself and Jamie Roy (who’d already been cast) were available happened to be a bank holiday Monday. We met and read together in an eerily deserted Wardpark Studios. The rest of the team – casting, the director, the producers – were all watching via video call. I was so nervous that I sank to the floor with relief after the cameras cut. Jamie picked me up and gave me a hug and told me he was rooting for me, and the rest is history.

The show is a prequel to the Outlander series. Are you a fan of the show?

I was aware of the show and its success, but I’d not actually seen any of it before I was asked to audition for Blood of my Blood. Once I landed the role, I watched the whole thing. Jamie and I were making our way through it at the same time and it took us most of the length of the shoot of season one. There are a lot of episodes! I found it helpful in many ways, namely for grasping the accent and understanding the tone of the show. I also found Bear McCreary’s soundtrack hugely inspirational – I’d often listen to it whilst learning lines. So, yeah, I can safely say that I’m a fan now and looking forward to the final season.

What can viewers expect from this upcoming prequel?

The DNA of Blood of my Blood is similar to Outlander, in that it’s a love story set mostly in the Scottish Highlands in the early 18th century, and of course there’s the signature time travel element. It centres on the romantic relationships of the parents of Outlander’s Jamie andClaire, but it also really delves into the history of Scotland and clan politics and family rivalry. It has an incredibly talented ensemble whose storylines are all equally as exciting and complex. Established fans will get to see the origin of characters they know and love, but the show has been designed in a way that means you don’t need to have watched a single episode of Outlander in order to enjoy it – it really is its own thing. Viewers can expect romance and passion and scheming and backstabbing and birth and death and love and loss and marriage and war and more stunning shots of Scotland in all its glory, with a sweeping score to match – there really is something for everyone. And despite being set 300 years ago, I think the key themes it tackles are largely universal and transcend time periods.

Who is Ellen MacKenzie, your on-screen character – please describe her as a person, what you like about her and how she fits into the Outlander Universe?

Ellen MacKenzie is a badass. She’s the eldest child of the head of Clan MacKenzie, played by the phenomenal Peter Mullen, whose death occurs at the beginning of the show. We find her grieving, lost, alone and vulnerable. Her father protected her from having to marry, but once he’s gone, her brothers, Colum and Dougal, seek to use her as a pawn in their own games of securing strategic alliances for personal gain. But Ellen is a strategist and a survivor and she uses her wits to stay one step ahead and maintain what little agency she has. She’s an unusual example of a woman at that time because she’s educated. She was her father’s favourite and he listened to her; he valued her opinion. She would have been the perfect choice to succeed him as Laird, if only she were a man.

She also has a romantic side and falls head over heels in love with Brian Fraser – the bastard son of her father’s sworn enemy. She’s torn between that love and the duty of upholding her father’s legacy and maintaining the safety and security of the clan. It’s a constant balancing act but ultimately she chooses to follow her heart and risks everything in the process.

She’s known in the Outlander universe as being the mother of Jamie Fraser, the “King of Men” – so no pressure at all! There are character traits that Jamie likely inherited from her – her strong, independent spirit and her fiery courage and determination – but her story is largely unknown and it’s been an honour and a joy to bring her to life. There’s definitely a sense of responsibility that comes with playing someone who means so much to so many people, but the excitement and support of the fans has only motivated me to want to work hard and do the character justice.

What else have you got in the works that you can reveal to us right now?

At the end of last year, I shot the sequel to Fall, theaction thriller feature released in 2022 about two friends who find themselves stuck at the top of a 2,000-foot TV tower. I can’t say too much about it just yet, but it was a lot of fun! And so different to anything I’d ever worked on before. We filmed in Thailand, which was such an adventure and a really amazing experience working with a Thai crew. The film was a total workout, both physically and emotionally, and being a redhead in the sun every day for two months was challenging, to say the least. But the cast were great and we laughed our way through the pain! I’m excited for its release. Apologies in advance for any sweaty palms.

What are your long-term goals?

To keep working would be nice! In a variety of genres and mediums, and to keep learning and growing as an actor. I don’t want to ever feel like I’ve completed anything. I want to keep pushing myself and to keep making work that challenges me as an actor and also challenges the audience. I want to explore and shed a light on taboo subjects and be part of work that starts important conversations and makes people feel a little less alone. I’d love to return to the stage at some point. And I’d like to keep travelling, wherever possible. I feel extremely lucky that this job has taken me to places that I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to visit. I’d love to continue to live and work all over and experience different cultures and collaborate with inspiring people around the world. But to be honest, as long as I’m able to make a living from dressing up and playing pretend, I’ll be happy.