Articles & Interviews
Dakota Blue Richards on "The Golden Compass"
from Tottenham Journal, Dec 5, 2007
YOU might not know Dakota Blue Richards now, but she's about to become as famous as Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. The 13-year-old stars in The Golden Compass, adapted from the first book of author Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Set in an alternate universe, Richards plays Lyra, a 12-year-old girl who sets out to rescue a friend - and winds up on an quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. Here she discusses bagging the role in the Christmas blockbuster and working with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.
How did you react when you were told you got the part?
I came home after a bad day at school and my mum said we had to wait for a call. It was Chris Weitz, the director, and he said, "Can you put me on the speaker phone?" and so my mum hung up on him because she's not good with technology. He called back and I screamed and did the Snoopy dance - a jumpy and kicky kind of dance.
How did your friends react?
My friends were really happy for me. Three of my friends are in the film - for the scene where the children escape from Bolvangar. The man who was casting asked me if I wanted to bring in a few of my friends, so I did.
Were you a fan of the books?
When I first read the books I was quite young and I didn't understand it. I didn't get "dust" and why the bears talked. It took me a while to understand it.
Are you anything like Lyra?
Lyra's brave, she sticks up for herself, and she's confident. She's very loyal. I'm loyal to my friends and family, but I don't think I'm as brave as Lyra.
What was it like working with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig?
The first scene I did was with Nicole Kidman. I didn't have to say anything, thankfully. Nicole sat next to me and I had to act like I knew her. Both she and Daniel Craig do this thing when they are acting which might be just to help me, but they seem so confident that I feel I should be too. They make me feel more confident. They taught me that whatever happens during a take, just carry on.
Did you keep up with school?
I had a tutor on the set, so when the cameras were being changed, I'd go off to lessons. It was quite difficult to switch from being on the set, to being in the schoolroom, but I must have learned a lot because when I got back to school I was quite far ahead.
Do you want to keep on acting?
I don't know that I'd want to do acting as a job. I want to be a supply teacher. I'd like to be one of those teachers that kids really like.
Who would you most like to work with now?
It's hard to judge what actors might be like just from seeing their work. Ewan McGregor seems very cool - I'd like to work with him.