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I am actress Natalie Dormer. AMA!
Hello reddit!
You might know me from my roles as Anne Boleyn in the Showtime series The Tudors, Irene Adler in Elementary, and Margaery Tyrell in the HBO series Game of Thrones... and my latest project, as Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Parts 1 & 2.
Proof: http://imgur.com/dyj3LUz
You can learn more about the Hunger Games films here:
Victoria from reddit will be assisting me today. I kindly ask that everyone be respectful and avoid asking for - or sharing - spoilers in questions.
AMA!
https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/534407218196938752
Update Thank you so much for your questions. That was really enjoyable. I hope everyone gets to theaters to see MOCKINGJAY Part 1 opening November 21. Enjoy the next season of Game of Thrones. And I would love to do this again, other side of shooting PATIENT ZERO and THE FOREST!
badgeofdescension2899 karma
Ser Pounce: future king of Westeros or a diva and right royal pain in the ass to work with?
Natalie-Dormer3490 karma
Oh, the CAT! Hahahah! Actually, Ser Pounce was a bit of a diva that day, he didn't want to stay on the bed, he was very difficult to work with.
n0g0d2390 karma
Hello, Natalie! What was it like working with Jack Gleeson ("Joffrey")? How did you find the strength to resist slapping the shit out of him when he was in character?
Natalie-Dormer3297 karma
Because he's so fun and so lovely between takes...that it takes the edge off of it! Haha!
I_make_things2337 karma
I love your acting. Is Diana Rigg as fun off camera as she is when playing Margaery Tyrell's grandmother?
Natalie-Dormer3681 karma
Uh, she's INCREDIBLE. She's a veteran actress that's won Tonys and BAFTAs, she's so well-read, she's always got a dirty story and a piece of wisdom. I love working with her.
Natalie-Dormer3433 karma
On set, as in the craft service, or as in on-set dressing? Because it's the opposite - like for production design, the fake food is BETTER in King's Landing than obviously in the rationed District 13, but if you're talking about the craft table, then the craft table in the Hunger Games was way better than in Game of Thrones.
If you're looking for Natalie Dormer, she'll be standing by the craft table next to Jennifer Lawrence...
umpo231885 karma
Hi Natalie! I’ve been a big fan of Margaery for a long time now and I just wanted to thank you for doing this AMA! My questions are:
1) Who is secretly the funniest person off the set? 2) Who is most like the character that they portray?
Thanks again!
Natalie-Dormer2996 karma
1) Who's the funniest person OFF the set? Like between takes? Oooh. Oooh! That's a hard one. All the following people make me laugh easily, and I'm going to give you a list of four:
- Pedro Pascal
- Gwendoline Christie
- Lena Headey
- Peter Dinklage
They all make me laugh, and I'm very easy to make laugh, easily.
2) Probably Peter, he is that droll and intelligent.
TheBestNarcissist1822 karma
Hi Natalie! What's a hobby of yours outside of work that people wouldn't expect?
TheMockingjay51804 karma
What's the funniest thing Jennifer Lawrence has ever said to you?
Natalie-Dormer3265 karma
"Dude, are you SURE?!"
when I was about to shave my head. It's actually only funny in hindsight. Hahaha!
C-Hutty1766 karma
Hello Natalie, has there been a scene so far in Game of Thrones that was particularly difficult?
Natalie-Dormer3045 karma
Uhhhhhhhhh. I tried very hard to find the line of manipulation of Tommen in this last season. It was a difficult thing for me and the creators to get the right tone on. We tried our best.
Natalie-Dormer2210 karma
I would always consider that opportunity. But that's not for me to decide.
Thenanore1580 karma
Have you always had that smirk as part of your facial expressions or did you have to practice it?
Natalie-Dormer3264 karma
I have an asymmetrical mouth. I have a naturally crooked smile. People call it a smirk, but it's not, it's just my natural smile with my lips closed. If you could quote me verbatim, I'd appreciate that...
My sister has it too, it's a family trait.
Natalie-Dormer3396 karma
Manchego! I love feta! I love goat cheese! I love mature chedda! I also love Wensleydale, I have no idea how you spell Wensleydale, especially with cranberries in it, it's the perfect cheese for Christmas. The only thing i can't do is blue. I can't do blue cheese. It just doesn't work with me. It's not even so much the smell, I just can't do it, you know? Maybe as a bit of a salad, but... hahaha. I mean, very rare circumstances! Brie, I love brie, melted brie. Burrata! God I love a Burrata.
I literally could talk about cheese for 10 minutes.
Natalie-Dormer2213 karma
To be a part of that incredible ensemble that has such great scripts. The show's a phenomenon, and it's such a privilege to be a part of that ride.
seismicor1256 karma
I heard that you can speak French. What is your favourite French word?
Natalie-Dormer2427 karma
I can't speak fluent French, that's another IMDB myth, so here's a good opportunity to set that straight!
I do know basic french, cuz I did it at school? And I like the word "vin rouge" I use it a lot.
Natalie-Dormer2287 karma
But I also really like the french word "Malheuresement."
I've always liked that word.
DGalamay301190 karma
Who from the game of thrones series would you like to be on your survival group in a zombie apocalypse? 4 people!
Natalie-Dormer2641 karma
I'll take Pedro as the Red Viper. I'll take Rory as the Hound. I'll take Gwendoline as Brienne, and I'll also take... Jaime Lannister. But I also very cheekily ask to take Norman Reedus as well, please! I'm sure we can fit him in!
WalkerFLRanger936 karma
How are you liking your new role as Cressida in the Hunger Games? Is it at all similar to your experience playing Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones? They both have that sci-fi/fantasy theme so I’m guessing the experience you’ve gained on GOT has prepared you for your role in Hunger Games.
Natalie-Dormer1420 karma
I loved how physical the role was for playing Cressida, and that she's all about her job. It was fun to play someone who works the other side of the camera. Like Cressida's out there in the field, whereas everything Margaery does is sitting around behind closed doors. They're both very PR-savvy, that's what they have in common, they both know how to manipulate hearts & minds. So there's a trend, a theme there between the two of them.
LpztheHVY880 karma
Do you get identified on the street more as Anne Boleyn or Margery Tyrell these days?
Natalie-Dormer1611 karma
Uh, it's probably 60/40, more as Margaery. Or 10% Moriarty. But that's going to chance, Cressida's going to be taking over.
solitarysniper762 karma
Hi Natalie!
You've taken on roles in films/shows which have gone on to become very popular and huge franchises (Elementary, Hunger Games, Game of Thrones etc). Quite a lot of these franchises have very enthusiastic fanbases; have you ever felt overwhelmed by how eager/enthusiastic fans are of certain shows or films you've been in?
drocks27753 karma
Natalie,
You have been quoted saying that Jennifer Lawrence is everything that she portrays herself to be. Very down to earth and personable. What was it like working with her?
Natalie-Dormer1154 karma
(I'm laughing, everything you would expect it to be)
She's a cool chick.
pikkopots750 karma
For Mockingjay, were the military boots you wore comfortable, what with all the running you had to do?
Natalie-Dormer1537 karma
Very comfortable. I loved being in flat shoes that long. Margaery wears small heels, but they are heels - because i was training for the marathon and filming MOCKINGJAY, I didn't wear heels for 9 months and it was amazing.
Thestigsfatcousin574 karma
Ms. Dormer, you have played both Irene Adler and Moriarty in the most recent television adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Elementary. What was it like to play such iconic characters in a not-so-iconic way? Are there any plans to return to Elementary?
Also, Margaery Tyrell is one of my favorite characters on Game of Thrones, so keep being awesome in that role as well. Thanks!
Natalie-Dormer809 karma
Effing FANTASTIC, I love playing Moriarty! And I love being in New York, I hope very much to return. I'm just lulling Sherlock into a false sense of security.
Aw, that's sweet.
GeorgieeLouu558 karma
What's the biggest stunt you've ever had to do yourself? Love you ❤️
Natalie-Dormer998 karma
Thank you!
Um... pbbhhhht.
I had to do an underwater crash once, which is how i learned to scuba-dive. The stunts in MOCKINGJAY 2 were pretty hard - there was water involved there, but i'm not allowed to tell you! wink
thetoristori504 karma
Hi Natalie! I'm a big fan. Any interest in doing Broadway anytime soon? I would love to see you on the great white way.
Natalie-Dormer1088 karma
HAHAHAHAHA!
Um... I like creamy tomahto. And when I'm sick, chicken.
pikkopots464 karma
Cressida comes from the Capitol, but from the short clip released, she looks like a badass. Is she possibly a former Peacekeeper?
Natalie-Dormer836 karma
OOHOOOH! That's a controversial question. No, definitely not. Cressida's background - I think she came from a subversive family of artists that never agreed with the government for the past 75 years. She comes from an artistic, freedom-fighter family. I don't think she'd ever be a Peacekeeper, not in a million years.
merola1024445 karma
Hey Natalie, I saw in your semi-recent interview with Seth Meyers that you're a marathon runner. Do you have any tips for someone who has run a half but hasn't yet gone for a full marathon? Also, how did it go? Any plans on doing another one soon?
Natalie-Dormer772 karma
Uh, hullo fellow runner!
My tips would be:
- You run a marathon in the training, not actually on the day, so you have to be disciplined with your training.
- And ice bath after you've run anything over 10 miles.
- And yes, I very much hope to do the New York one next year and beat my time of 3:50 (or it might've been 3:51, I can't remember).
Rennn23441 karma
If Katniss or Cressida were to fight any character on Game of Thrones, who would you put them up against?
Natalie-Dormer912 karma
Well... hm... there's a whole new bad government that's going to come in on season 5 of GoT that's going to need overthrowing, in King's Landing.
So that's what's interesting - now Joffrey's gone... wait, I suppose Ramsay needs to be dealt with. Ramsay needs to be dealt with! So we could take him on.
Daredizzle407 karma
Natalie! You played a great Anne Boleyn and have been killing it on Game of Thrones!
What do you like on your waffles?
Edit: Thanks Buzzfeed http://www.buzzfeed.com/kmallikarjuna/more-reasons-to-love-natalie-dormer
Natalie-Dormer1473 karma
I think we've established that cheese would be one of my guilty pleasures. With a nice glass of vin rouge.
My favourite dessert... I'm not really a dessert girl, to be honest. I would rather have a starter. Like prosciutto, and Manchego! Hahahaha! Oh my god, if I don't get a Manchego endorsement after this, I'm going to be very disappointed. Any opportunity to go to Spain. I love Tapas.
mostlyforlurking394 karma
You've mentioned before that you almost went into academia for history. Have you ever wondered how things would've been like if you ended up on that path? Would you still have pursued it back then knowing how your acting career would turn out?
Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Natalie-Dormer603 karma
I'd like to think of myself that I would have become an actress. I just would have done it after my degree.
Fuliginos389 karma
Hey Natalie, my friend and I are huge fans! My question to you is: What have you been listening to lately?
Natalie-Dormer1389 karma
Alt-J's new album. And also, Sia, and I also loved Hozier, he's a friend and I shot his new video for "Someone new" which should be out in January.
ScruffysHuman259 karma
Now that you have played a documentary film maker on screen, can you tell us if you were one in real life, what topic or person would you make a documentary film about?
VoteForGreg239 karma
Hey Natalie, I love your work on in the Tudors and Game of Thrones! You do such a great job of mixing innocence and malevolence. I have two questions regarding Game of Thrones:
I heard you're an avid Fencer, have you pushed at all to use your skills in the show?
With the show being closely based but not identical to the books do you or other cast members read the books to prepare for your characters and if so, how has that influenced your work?
Thank You so Much!
Natalie-Dormer459 karma
1) I haven't fenced for over ten years, but I love physical work, and that's why I loved filming MOCKINGJAY part 2, but you're going to have to wait a year for that! Concentrate on this movie first!
P.S. And I've been told to say that the information about me fencing actively is incorrect on Wikipedia or IMDB - that information on IMDB is out of date. But I'm really looking forward to the physical demands of PATIENT ZERO and THE FOREST!
2) For Game of Thrones, I haven't read the books, because she's not a POV character, so I was advised by Dan & David that it might not help me. And I just love watching the show as a fan, and not knowing what's going to happen. In contrast, I did read all the Hunger Games books, and thought they were amazing.
seismicor236 karma
Hi, Natalie. Are you a horror movie fan? If so what are your favourite horror movies?
Natalie-Dormer482 karma
THE SHINING, THE ORPHANAGE, JULIA'S EYES (it's not really a horror, it's kind of a horror) - I'm going to be watching more horror movies in preparation for THE FOREST - oh, and ROSEMARY'S BABY is a classic!
frogginfish234 karma
Hello Natalie. What gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you motivated throughout the day?
Natalie-Dormer605 karma
(If you exclude granoler)
Then... Crunchy-Nut Cornflakes. D'you have that here? In the states? We call it Crunchy-Nut Cornflakes in Britain.
FRIDAY_229 karma
Hello, Natalie! What countries have you gone to? What countries would you like to explore?
Natalie-Dormer416 karma
Oh god, I can't list all the countries I've been to, it's a long list! Where I haven't been that i'd really like to go - I haven't been to South America, and i really really want to go - a lot of countries there. I've never made it down to Oz, I'd like to get to Australia and New Zealand, and I'd love to visit Japan, hopefully that will be possible with THE FOREST.
TheDuskDragon226 karma
What's up Natalie! Thanks for doing an AMA!
If you had to switch lives with either Margaery Tyrell from Game of Thrones or Cressida from The Hunger Games, who would you choose and why?
Natalie-Dormer395 karma
Cressida, definitely. Because I love the concept of her job. And I'm a big Lee Miller fan, as in the American photographer, and for me, she's like a dystopian Lee Miller.
carlosreddevil216 karma
Hi Natalie - gutted you had to drop out of London Comic Con over the Summer, any plans to attend any Cons in the UK in 2015? (We really want to meet you!) :)
Natalie-Dormer326 karma
I hope so. My schedule is pretty rammed right now. But I can't really say either way at the moment. I love meeting fans. And will always trying to do so, if I can.
Natalie-Dormer473 karma
Hmmm...the strangest place... bathrooms & airplanes happens a lot, it's not really strange. In a sauna? I got recognized as Anne Boleyn in a sauna, I think I was in Luxembourg, or Germany, I can't remember...
RunMortals205 karma
Hi Natalie, I was wondering which character have you enjoyed acting as from all the dramas you've been in and which one do you think is most like you?
P.S I think you're genuinely amazing, beautiful and talented. I wish you all the best and have a great life! :D
Natalie-Dormer317 karma
Aw, that's very kind of you. Thank you.
Um... they're all different sides of my personality. That sounds like a get-out answer, but it's true! I'm not as brave as half of them, probably. And I'm definitely not as manipulative as Margaery. I probably have the same work ethos that Cressida does. Hahaha! This is my laughing, because Mo riarty's a psychopath, pure and simple, so I hope i"m not like her at all, but I do love playing her, very much. And i love the weird dependency she has on interacting with Sherlock.
tashesque200 karma
More women are rocking the Cressida undercut now. Are you aware of the trend and the new level of spunk you've set for us?
Natalie-Dormer314 karma
Yes, I am aware of the trend! And it's kind of cool I'm a part of it completely by accident!!
Natalie-Dormer509 karma
What's my favourite TV show? I love VEEP. I was just watching it last night on the plane from New York to L.A..
yokelwombat175 karma
Hi Natalie,
did you keep any of the AMAZING dresses you wore on Game of Thrones / The Tudors?
Lots of love from Germany!
Natalie-Dormer316 karma
No. I wish! They tend to go on exhibition tour. I did keep a pair of earrings and a crucifix from Anne Boleyn, though. It's in my jewelry box. I wear the earrings occasionally. And I still have the white cap from the execution scene, somewhere...
Natalie-Dormer262 karma
Besides the haircut?!... yea, I kept the back of my cast chair from MOCKINGJAY. And I'm still shooting Game of Thrones, so no!
Natalie-Dormer374 karma
I know it's kind of really simple, but I still like a good ol' Hawaiian, a bit of pineapple and ham. And pineapple is very good for you!
Natalie-Dormer183 karma
Oh... I have too many to say there's one favourite!
But I did my "Sky On-Demand movies" playlist the other day. I recommended, the other day, on Sky Movies on-Demand playlists back in the Uk, I recommended Robert Altman's "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," "Monsters Inc," and "Thelma & Louise." I have a poster on my wall at home of BLADE RUNNER signed by Ridley Scott when I worked with him. And I also have a La Reine Margot. Those are the two authentic movie posters I have at home, because I love those movies very much.
Montoyaa73 karma
Hello Natalie, I've never seen Games of Thrones. Everybody has gone mad about this series.
Why would you recommend it? :)
Natalie-Dormer194 karma
Because it's got something for EVERYONE - whether you love humor, action, romance, politics, whatever you love, there's something in it for everyone!
GeorgieeLouu72 karma
If you ever had the chance to do a voiceover in a cartoon film would you do it? ❤️
Natalie-Dormer168 karma
Oh, I'd love to! I'd jump at the chance, yeah. I've done radio, I did the radio version of NEVERWHERE with Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy, and we had so much fun, I laughed 'til I cried every day!
Natalie-Dormer137 karma
You can basically turn up to work in your pajamas and have so much fun!
forever_maloner63 karma
Hey first of all i want to say that you are PERFECT and i love you loads!And the question is:What do you think about Jena Malone and how was it to work with her? <3
Natalie-Dormer108 karma
Unfortunately I didn't really get to spend much time with Jena. But I think she's a really interesting, cool woman. And would love to see her band live sometime. She's got a band.
RingoGringo59 karma
How reluctant were you to shave part of your head for the hunger games?
Natalie-Dormer131 karma
It was a small price to pay to join the Hunger Games family. Hair grows back!
Natalie-Dormer77 karma
I'm good, I'm getting ready for a really long day of press with the grand finale of the MOCKINGJAY premiere here in LA, tonight.
AlphaApache32 karma
Hi Natalie! I'm looking to becoming an actress but I hear the business is really tough, how did you get started?
Natalie-Dormer98 karma
I went to dramer school and got an agent upon graduation. it is really tough. The secret to this industry is perseverance.
king_tommen18 karma
So would you rather fight 1 horse sized duck or 100 duck sized horses?
Natalie-Dormer81 karma
One huge duck. Hahahaha!
Cuz your focus is one moving thing, finding the weakness on that one thing is probably easier than being attacked from more angles!
kiannadormer15 karma
Hi Natalie, what were your initial thoughts about Cressida? Did you know exactly what you wanted to do with the character?
Natalie-Dormer34 karma
Yeah, I had a pretty strong instinct about her? Which I think is why it only took one audition tape to get the job.
rosaliedormer10 karma
If you could play any other character in The Hunger Games franchise, who would you choose and why?
Natalie-Dormer18 karma
Boggs.
As a female Boggs.
I think it's a really cool character, and I'm a little bit in love with Mahershala Ali.
chilldemon3689 karma
What do you think of this?
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