June 2009

A Rose in Full Bloom

With a starring role in the hit legal drama Damages, Rose Byrne’s career is flourishing

WORDS BRET LOVE

Though she’s proven gun-shy in previous interviews, Sydney-born Rose Byrne seems excited to talk about her acting projects these days. Perhaps it’s because her latest film, Knowing (co-starring Nicolas Cage), debuted at the top of the global box office. Or maybe it’s because Damages, the US-based, critically acclaimed TV series in which Byrne plays attorney Ellen Parsons, was just picked up for a third season. Whatever the reason, we’re just glad the Hollywood acting gods are smiling down on the 29-year-old actress. Looking happy and gorgeous, she sat down to discuss her Aussie roots, working in America and what to expect from Damages season two when it airs in Australia later this year.

What are the biggest differences between working in Hollywood and Australia?
It’s like comparing chalk and cheese. In Australia, the industry is smaller and basically government-funded so it’s a slower process to get films made. I’ve always been ambitious and wanted to work overseas, so when it started to happen, I was delighted. I’m so thankful for Australia and for my training there. It’s a beautiful country with incredible talent. There are so many prolific Australians in the film industry that it’s kind of disproportionate to our population — I’m very proud of that.

Has the jump from Australian to American film and TV been everything you envisioned?
Yeah, I love working on Damages. I’d been watching a lot of American television and said to my agent: “If there’s anything interesting, I’d love to have a look”. I ended up coming in very late in the casting process, but the show’s been a good platform for me because it’s popular. I feel really grateful to have the role, especially in these times, and Knowing was great because it came during our hiatus and it was shot all over Melbourne to represent Boston.

The Damages scripts seem so sharp and nasty. What was your initial reaction to them?
I thought it was clever and intriguing. I’d never done a television show before, and it’s a completely different process. You have an intimacy with your character that I’ve never had before. The guys who create the show are incredibly smart; tweaking and changing things and creating a whole world that we’re puppets in, but I trust them implicitly.

How will season two differ from the first?
The new season was influenced by real-life environmental cases in America’s mining industry. The writers spent a lot of time talking to Robert F Kennedy Jr, the famous environmental lawyer, about the people he’s had to deal with, including some questionable CEOs. Damages is a drama but it tackles issues you read about in the news.

What changes will your character, Ellen, go through?
Ellen has gone through such an incredible transformation that it was almost like playing a new character. She’s still working for Patty (Glenn Close), but at the same time she’s working as an undercover informant for the FBI. She’s determined to destroy Patty and to use her firm’s resources to prove Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) murdered her fiancé.

Why do you think the show is a hit?
It’s a very stylised show and it’s kind of heightened — obviously lawyers aren’t really like this a lot of the time! But it’s flashy and dramatic and adrenaline-fuelled and incredibly addictive. I recently watched [Roman] Polanski’s Frantic, which reminded me of Damages with all the tension and the weirdness. I immediately rang the [creators] and asked, “Was that an influence?” And it was! But I think the show has really carved out a niche for itself.

Do you ever worry about being typecast?
I think Damages is perfect because we have a great viewership, but I don’t think I’ll ever be typecast as Ellen Parsons because the show’s not huge enough. I’m incredibly grateful it’s given me exposure that I would never have had before — only 2% of the Screen Actors Guild is in work, so I’m so happy to be on that show and to be working in movies like Knowing and Adam.

What’s next?
I have a few months of downtime before we start shooting season three of Damages. I’m kinda in limbo at the moment, waiting to see what I can get up to!

Damages season 1 is on Australia’s Foxtel W channel, Fridays at 8.30pm ’til 10th July. Season 2 will air from Thursday at 7.30pm, 16th July.