interview by JANA LETONJA

Cynthia Addai-Robinson will star in the upcoming Amazon MGM action film ‘The Accountant 2’ alongside Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, which will be released theatrically on 25th April. She recently starred in Amazon hit series ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ and in Amazon’s rom-com ‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’.

dress ACLER
earrings ALEXIS BITTAR

Returning to the role of Marybeth Medina in ‘The Accountant 2’, what excited you most about stepping back into this world alongside Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal?

I was excited to see what Marybeth's next chapter would be all these years later. I knew that at the end of the first ‘Accountant’ movie there was more to Marybeth's story, that you were left wondering where she goes from here. People really loved the first movie and they would ask me all the time "Are they doing another one?" So when I finally got that call, I was just happy to get to inhabit this role again and be back in this world. And the best part was that so many people who were involved in the first one, including cast, crew, producers, our writer Bill Dubuque and our director Gavin O'Connor, were coming back for the second, which is always a good sign.

Marybeth plays a central role in the sequel’s storyline. How has she evolved since the first film, and what new challenges does she face?

We made the first film nine years ago, so Marybeth has evolved, and I have definitely evolved as well. It gave me a nice opportunity to revisit a character years later for the first time in my career. In the first movie, Marybeth is an analyst, sort of a worker bee, who is content to keep her head down and not draw attention to herself in service of her work. In the sequel, she's definitely stepped into her role as Deputy Director, like a new Ray King. But from the start, we see she has a bit of imposter syndrome in this higher position, like, has she actually earned her place? And her journey in the movie is a really great arc that shows her navigating her dedication to serving justice under the law versus justice by any means necessary.

‘The Accountant’ franchise is known for its intense action and intricate storytelling. Did you undergo any special training or preparation for this film?

I sure did. I knew if I was getting an awesome action sequence, I wanted to do it justice and prepare as much as possible. We had an amazingly talented stunt team and before we even started filming, I was training with the stunt guys and gals just to get into fighting shape. There was a lot of jumping rope, which I remember fondly as a kid, but it’s a lot harder as an adult. And some boxing for coordination and conditioning, which I enjoyed so much that I still do a boxing workout to this day. Turns out I like to punch things, a lot. My costar Daniella Pineda and I got to train together along with our respective stunt doubles, and it's such a good feeling to be rewarded for all that collective sweat equity with action that's not only cool, but dramatically satisfying as well.

How would you describe the dynamic between Marybeth, Christian, and Brax in this sequel?

The dynamic between the three characters is one of my favorite parts of the film because it's so much more comedic than you'd expect. This was actually my first time getting to do scenes with Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal since we didn't work together in the first movie. Initially Marybeth and Christian are paired together, and it's definitely a reluctant partnership because their brains approach things so differently, and yet they are both in pursuit of the same thing. I always thought they were sort of cut from the same cloth in a way. Once Brax enters the picture, it's all downhill from there. Marybeth is definitely someone who'd rather do things her way by herself. But the comedy definitely comes from the odd throuple vibes.

Without giving away spoilers, what can fans of the first movie look forward to in ‘The Accountant 2’?

Fans of the first movie can expect another giant puzzle that unfolds before them. I personally love those kinds of movies, the ones where you have to put your phone down and fully pay attention so you don't miss anything. And when it's all over, you watch it again to see what you missed. The stakes are higher and along with all the action and the funnier moments, the movie has a lot of heart and some really emotional moments as well.

suit NADINE MERABI
earrings EFFY

Playing Queen Regent Míriel in ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ is such a powerful role. What has been the most rewarding part of portraying her?

I still feel so fortunate to get to play in Middle Earth. Not many people get to say that. It's been a five year journey playing Queen Regent Miriel and I'm so proud of getting to embody the strength and leadership of a queen in such an epic, fantastical way. ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ has taken me all over the world in a way that I could have never imagined and it's really rewarding to see the reception of the show and my character from fans all over the globe.

The show’s costumes are legendary. What was it like wearing such elaborate pieces, and do you have a favorite look from the series?

I'm a fashion girly, so any excuse to wear larger than life clothes that I don't wear on an average day, I love. For a series like ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, you need a literal army of costumers who are making these items from scratch. And because I'm a queen, I get an extra level of extravagance. To me, the costume ultimately has to be an extension of the character and of storytelling in general. It's one of my favorite parts of the process, because it's iterative and you see the costume come to life in stages with each fitting.

It's hard to pick a favorite. I did have a beautiful deep blue dress with an amazing hand forged headpiece in the first season that really had a quiet power and elegance, and is the costume that Miriel is introduced in in season 1.

full look THE 2ND SKIN CO

The show has also been praised for its diversity. How does it feel to be part of that representation in such an iconic world?

Now more than ever, I feel the weight of responsibility of representing so many other people beyond myself, especially within the world of fantasy. That was always true, but as people try to systematically dismantle progress, you realize just how powerful it is to be seen and to exist within a story. And how people need to see themselves and their own struggles and hopes and dreams through characters that look like themselves, their families, their friends. I have always viewed being an actor as an act of service, and being part of a diverse cast for a global series that represents a fictional Middle Earth is the only thing that makes sense to me at this point. I'm beyond proud to represent.

jacket AREA
bodysuit and hosiery WOLFORD
shoes LA SILLA
necklace and ring MELINDA MARIE

From ‘Spartacus to Power’ and now leading major film and TV franchises, how do you choose roles that challenge and inspire you?

I would love to say that I got to choose all these amazing, complex, wildly different roles, but the reality is that they truly chose me. Every character that I've had the good fortune to play seems to come to me at different times in my life. I've really been able to surprise myself and learn about myself with each experience. I've fought with swords, ridden horses, wielded a sniper rifle, had an underwater face-off, all things that terrified me, but ultimately taught me that I can be a lot tougher and stronger than I give myself credit for. I think it's so important for self-growth and evolution to regularly challenge yourself, surprise yourself, embarrass yourself and laugh at yourself. Being uncomfortable and nervous, and pushing through and doing something anyway is something I don't think people do enough of.

Besides ‘The Accountant 2’, what’s coming up next for you? Any dream projects or genres you’d love to explore?

I'm excited to be headed back to start season 3 of ‘Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ and see where Miriel's story goes. I'm also excited to start expanding beyond acting and use all of my skill sets to get more stories out into the world as a producer, a writer and a director. I've had the chance to work with some of the most talented, intelligent and inspiring women and men in the business and as I continue to live my dream as an actor, I've also been dreaming about what comes next. And the prospect of collaborating and dreaming alongside my husband and my friends and peers is the fuel to my fire.

skirt and top SEBASTIAN GUNAWAN
earrings DAVID YURMAN
shoes LA SILLA

TEAM CREDITS:

talent CYNTHIA ADDAI-ROBINSON
photography MEKHI TURNER
styling JENNIFER AUSTIN at THE WALL GROUP
makeup DANA DELANEY at THE WALL GROUP
hair MARCIA HAMILTON at FORWARD ARTISTS
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA

IN CONVERSATION WITH CYNTHIA ADDAI-ROBINSON

IN CONVERSATION WITH THE DIONYSUS GROUP

IN CONVERSATION WITH CERO ISMAEL