IN CONVERSATION WITH WILLA FITZGERALD

interview JANA LETONJA

Actress Willa Fitzgerald will be starring in the horror thriller 'Strange Darling', which is being released on 23rd August. She has previously starred in Amazon Prime's series 'Reacher', drama series 'Royal Pains' and in Netflix's miniseries 'The Fall of the House of Usher', amongst others. Later this year, Willa will also star in Netflix's medical series 'Pulse'.

Willa, we'll be seeing you in 'Strange Darling', a horror thriller described as a dramatization of the last known months of a serial killer. Tell us more about what can we expect from the film?

It’s about two people who meet up, form a connection and then experience a betrayal that sets everything on its course. In some ways, it’s a love story. The whole movie could be viewed as an allegory for a romantic relationship gone wrong. 

Can you share a bit more about your role, The Lady, in the film, and what attracted you the most about portraying this character?

It was the script. JT wrote a thrill ride, and my experience of reading the script was probably pretty similar to someone’s experience watching the film. I remember thinking that I had to do this movie, that I had to play the part and in the same moment feeling incredibly anxious about how hard of a task that would be. I wanted the job so badly I remember almost feeling ill. Luckily, I got the job. 

As far as saying a bit more about The Lady, I loved her from the moment I read the script. She’s smart, she’s curious and she’s someone who is intensely seeking connection in the world and suffering through that desire continually being thwarted. 

What will the fans of the horror thriller genres be most surprised about this film?

I think I speak for the whole creative team when I say we’re very excited for ‘Strange Darling’ to be in the world and for people to start engaging with this film we made. I think ‘Strange Darling’ is saying a lot, and I think what it’s saying can be read through many different lenses. I’m excited to hear what it is that people take away from it in the hours and days after seeing it. It’s a movie that sticks with you. I think it defies any strict genre labels, which might be surprising to people. 

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hat, dress & shoes EMPORIO ARMANI
earrings LADY GREY
right
dress CHRISTIAN COWAN
tights FALKE
shoes MADAMETTE
earrings MATTIA CIELO

You initially studied psychology, before earing your BA in theater studies from Yale. What intrigued you the most about psychology, and what is your favorite memory from the years you spent at Yale?

I wanted to be a professor for a while. I’ve always been attracted to academics and I’ve always loved learning. I spent most of my time at Yale in the theater though. I was always doing plays, usually at least 2 per semester. I was also in an experimental theater company. My favorite part of undergrad was the distinct feeling of having a creative family with whom you always made work. I think in my professional life since, I’ve been trying to recreate that. There’s nothing better than making art with people you love.  

What made acting become your passion and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

In a lot of ways it chose me. I fully intended on getting a “real” job after Yale. My parents are musicians and I saw as a kid the difficulties of living a life in the arts. But before I’d even graduated, in a very coincidental turn of events, I got my agents and decided I wanted to take a year off before thinking about grad school. I actually booked my first job before I’d even moved to NYC. It was ‘Alpha House’, Amazon’s first streaming show. 

Is there a genre or a specific kind of role that challenges and excites you the most as an artist?

I do love genre films because I think they allow you so much space to explore the human condition. The best horror movies are allegories and when you’re telling an allegory, you have almost an infinite well to draw from. There’s something very expansive about genre for me as an actor. But fundamentally, what excites me the most is something that feels new, something I haven’t seen before, something I haven’t done before. Luckily there are a lot of things I haven’t done. 

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dress QUINE LI
earrings JOANNA LAURA CONSTANTINE
headpiece LIÉ STUDIO
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dress LAQUAN SMITH
gloves CAROLINA AMATO
earrings CHRISTINA CARUSO
rings ERIN FADER JEWELRY
gold ring LADY GREY

Out of all the roles and projects you've had the chance to work on so far, which one do you believe had the biggest impact on your career and why?

Oh, I don’t think I can answer that question. I think everything I’ve done has been a stepping stone to a future project in some way, even if the links aren’t incredibly obvious. You never know who you are going to meet, or how a particular project will shape you as an actor. All of those elements are part of the unpredictable journey. 

What is your favorite part and your least favorite part of the career as an actress?

Those two things might be opposite sides of the same coin. I love not knowing what could be coming next, and I also struggle with unpredictability and change. 

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dress, headpiece, gloves & shoes DOLCE & GABBANA
tights NYLON
earrings CHRISTINA CARUSO
right
dress LAQUAN SMITH
gloves CAROLINA AMATO
earrings CHRISTINA CARUSO
rings ERIN FADER JEWELRY
gold ring LADY GREY

What are the things you enjoy the most in your free time?

I love to be in nature. I love to cuddle with my dogs and go on long walks. I love to read. 

Next up, we'll be seeing you in Netflix's medical drama series 'Pulse'. What can you share with us about it, and your other upcoming projects?

I’m excited for that one. It was a big shoot with a bunch of talented people involved,  and I can’t wait to see how it comes together. I also have a movie called ‘Relay’, directed by David Mackenzie, premiering at TIFF next month. 

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bodysuit BRONX & BANCO
tights FALKE
earrings ERIN FADER JEWELRY
shoes AQUAZZURA
right
dress BIBHU
gloves CAROLINA AMOTA
earrings LIÉ STUDIO

TEAM CREDITS

talent WILLA FITZGERALD
photographer ANKA GARBOWSKA
stylist TATIANA CINQUINO represented ART DEPARTMENT
makeup NICHAKAMOL EVERETT
hair MICHIKO BOORBERG represented by BRYAN BANTRY AGENCY
styling assistants ORIANA APONTE & EMILY BENZINER
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA