IN CONVERSATION WITH ANGOURIE RICE

Interview by Jana Letonja

Angourie Rice is quickly on her way to becoming a major Hollywood starlet garnering hit success across both film and television. She can be currently seen opposite Jennifer Garner in AppleTV+ and Hello Sunshine’s highly anticipated miniseries ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’, based on Laura Dave’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, which premiered on 14th April.

Angourie, you’re starring in AppleTV+ and Hello Sunshine’s miniseries ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’, that follows Hannah, a woman who forms an unexpected relationship with her sixteen-year-old stepdaughter Bailey while searching for the truth about why her husband Owen has mysteriously disappeared. Tell us more about what can we expect to see in the remaining episodes of the series.

You can expect Hannah and Bailey to go on more adventures, separately and together. In the last few episodes you really see their relationship change and evolve into something more caring and supportive. They learn to lean on each other when they need it most.

This miniseries is based on Laura Dave’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel. Have you read the book when you got cast on the project? How does the series differ from the novel? 

I read the episode scripts first and then I read the book. Both hooked me and were such quick reads. In the book we’re always with Hannah’s perspective, and what I love about the series adaptation is that we get to see more from other characters. We get more insight from Bailey’s perspective into her relationship with her dad and her experience at school. The book and series are both so compelling and thrilling, but they each tell the story in a slightly different way. 

In ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ you portray Bailey, the 16-year old dayghter of Hannah. What do you love the most about your character Bailey? What was Bailey’s most exciting storyline for you to film?

What excited me about Bailey was the emotional journey she takes. Olivia Newman, one of our directors and producers, pitched the show to me as a love story between Hannah and Bailey. We see a woman who doesn’t know how to be a mother and a girl who doesn’t know how to have a mother. Tracking their journey from adversaries to mother and daughter was so exciting to play. 

You’re currently also in production on Paramount’s ‘Mean Girls’, a film adaptation of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical. What will make the fans of the Broadway musical and also the fans of the original film want to see this and love it just as much?

I wish I could say more about it, but I’m sworn to secrecy. All I can say is that ‘Mean Girls’ is an iconic film and I’m so excited to be a part of the musical movie adaptation. It’s a dream come true to be in a musical. 

2022 marked your first leading role in the Paramount+ original movie ‘Honor Society’. How has the experience of being in a leading role helped you grow in your career? What have you learned from the experience for the future?

What struck me was how I felt a sense of responsibility. It was a big task and I didn’t want to let anyone down. I think it pushed me to want to be a better actor and scene partner. My favourite thing about the experience was being on set every day. I really got to know the crew and felt part of a community.

In your career so far, you’ve gotten the chance to work alongside some major names in the industry, like Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. Do you get nervous when being cast alongside such iconic artists?

Yes, always. But it goes away as soon as I properly meet them and talk to them. We’re all actors who love our job.

You began your acting career young and had your breakout role in the short film ‘Transmission’ when you were 11. Having been in the business since such a young age, how have you evolved as an actress since then? 

I’d have to go back and watch that short film to give you an answer. I remember that I learnt all my lines for the entire film before we even started shooting. Now I know that’s not always practical because they often change the lines.

You come from a creative family. What other creative passions have you developed aside from acting?

I love to knit. And I love writing. My mom’s a writer and we’ve written a book together. It’s a modern adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ called ‘Stuck Up and Stupid’. 

Besides acting, you also have a podcast called ‘The Community Library’, which encourages readers and listeners of all ages to think more critically about the media we consume. What made you decide to start this podcast and especially to do it about this topic?

I wanted to create a project that was completely mine, while sharing my love of stories. After high school, a lot of my friends and I felt burnt out from reading books for English class. I wanted to reignite my love of reading through the podcast and continue to talk about books and stories and reading habits in an accessible way. It’s given me so much joy to connect with other readers on the internet.

After ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ and ‘Mean Girls’, what’s coming up next for you? What are some of your biggest goals and dreams?

Our book ‘Stuck Up and Stupid’ will be out this year, which is very exciting. I’ve always loved writing and it’s so wonderful to finally share it with the world. I’ll also be doing a play in Australia later this year with Melbourne Theatre Company. It’s called ‘My Sister Jill’. I’m looking forward to exploring the theatre making process, something new for me.

TEAM CREDITS
Talent: Angourie Rice @angourierice
Photographer: Emilio G Hernandez @emilioghernandez
Stylist: Raz Martinez @itsmerazzie
Make-up: Amanda Thesen @amandathesenbeauty
Hair: Clara Leonard @claraleopard
Photography assistants: Pierre Bonnet & Ryan Liu @jpierrebonnet @justryanliu
Styling assistant: David Atere @david_atere_
Market Assistant: Grace Connaughton @grace.conn 
Production: Tunnel Media Group @tunnelmediagroup
Exec producer: Danielle Hawkins @daniellehstyles
Exec producer: Jason King @jasonloveking1234
Editor: Timi Letonja @timiletonja
Interview: Jana Letonja @janaletonja
Cover design: Arthur Roeloffzen @arthurroeloffzen