Growing up surrounded by artistry, Gaia Wise seemed destined for a creative path. With a childhood spent on film sets and a deep love of literature, her journey into acting feels both inevitable and uniquely her own. “I feel very lucky to have grown up on sets, surrounded by incredible actors — not just in my family but in general,” she shares. Her early forays into drama clubs and school plays were formative, culminating in a standout role in Sweeney Todd at sixteen. “Coming off stage that first night, I just loved the feeling, the environment, and the people,” she recalls.
Wise’s latest project, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, is an animated prequel to Peter Jackson’s iconic film trilogy. Set nearly 200 years before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, the story delves into the reign of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary king of Rohan, and the creation of Helm’s Deep. Wise voices Héra, the daughter of Helm, who emerges as a fierce and determined figure in the face of betrayal and war. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and written by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, the film combines Tolkien’s lore with stunning animation, offering fans a deeper glimpse into the rich history of Middle-earth.
From embodying a rebellious princess in The War of the Rohirrim to starring in an upcoming suspense thriller alongside her mother, Emma Thompson, Wise’s career is already brimming with variety. Sitting down with 1883, Wise speaks passionately about her role as Héra, her influences, and the joy she finds in diving deep into scripts.
Why did you decide to join the acting world? Was there a specific project or experience that led you to it?
I feel very lucky to have grown up on film sets and been surrounded by incredible actors, not just in my family but also when I was on set with my mum. I think I absorbed it by osmosis from a very young age. I did a lot of plays at school and was in my drama club. When I was 16, I performed in Sweeney Todd on stage, and I remember coming off after the first night thinking, “I just love this feeling.” I loved the environment, the people, and how much I was learning from everyone around me. That continued into my adult career.
Has your mum or anyone in your family given you advice that still resonates with you today?
Absolutely. My mum, dad, and even my grandmother have taught me so much. One thing that really stands out is connecting with the writing. My mum studied English literature, and I loved it too. They taught me to delve deeply into the text — to connect with the words. That’s where I find the character, how they might think, and where they sit in my body. From there, I can build the character and bring in my own experiences.
Can you walk me through the process of finding out you landed the role of Héra in The World of the Rohirrim?
It was a pretty standard audition process, except I’d never auditioned for a voice role before. I set up a makeshift sound booth using a blanket and two chairs in my room and recorded my audition. After a couple of callbacks, Philippa Boyens, our producer, had a Zoom call with me. She’s fantastic but doesn’t give anything away, so I came off thinking I probably didn’t get it. Then I got a group call from all my agents — which is either really good or really bad news. It was great news! I screamed so loudly that my neighbours called the police. The first people to find out I had a new job were two coppers from Camden!
Héra is such a vibrant, rebellious character. How did you approach her?
You’re spot on — she’s a rebellious princess, carefree and adventurous. She doesn’t listen to her father or brothers and does her own thing. But as the film progresses, she matures quickly, going through incredible anguish and hardship. Despite that, she retains her soul and doesn’t let trauma change who she is. I love her character arc and how she defies the odds.
Héra and Wolf have a complex relationship in the story. How did you and Luke Pasqualino develop that dynamic?
We didn’t actually speak much during the process, which worked well. It was like a tennis match. I’d record a pass, he’d listen and tweak his performance, and then I’d tweak mine. That interplay really helped me with the characterisation. Their relationship is rooted in being childhood friends who became enemies, largely because of their warring fathers. It was interesting exploring how their loyalty to their families clashed with their past friendship.
Héra’s relationship with her father, voiced by Brian Cox, is equally layered. How did you approach that?
It’s an archaic relationship — he’s her father but also her king, and she’s his subject. Their love for each other is unbounded, but it’s old-fashioned and formal. Like with Luke, Brian and I weren’t in the same room. I’d hear his performance and adjust mine to complement it, and he’d do the same. It was fascinating to build that dynamic through our voices.
This was your first voice-acting role. How did you prepare for it compared to on-screen acting?
It was a completely new experience. I relied heavily on the text and amazing writing since this is an entirely new story. It was strange at first, being alone in a booth with just my voice, but I found where the character sat within me. Especially during fight scenes, I had to push the energy from my diaphragm because you’re not physically moving. It was a real learning experience and something I’ll carry into future roles.
You’re also starring alongside your mum in an upcoming project, The Fisherwoman. This is your second film where you both share the screen. Can you tell us anything about that?
Yes! I’m very excited for everyone to see it. Our director Brian Kirk was a wonderful scary joy to work with — I adore him. We filmed in Finland with an incredible cast, including Marc Menchaca, Judy Greer, and Laurel Marsden. Thankfully, we all adore each other so spending eight weeks together in Finland was actually just quite lovely. It’s a very intense, suspenseful thriller. My mum had a physically demanding role, and watching her push herself was inspiring. We’re not on screen together, which is fun. The last time we were was in A Walk in the Woods when I was 14.
How are you handling the whirlwind of promotion for these projects?
Like anyone, I try to get good sleep and take naps when I can to avoid burnout. Honestly, I’m just so excited to talk about these projects. Alice, my publicist, has been amazing and keeps me sane. I love how passionate interviewers are and the unique questions they ask. It makes the experience even more enjoyable.
If you could pick a role to star in — whether it’s from the past, present, or future — what would it be?
Oh, that’s a good question. I’d love to play Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire — just because I think she’s such a fantastic character. To be able to tap into that craziness would be incredible. I’d also love to be in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And, oddly, I think I’d probably like to try Mrs. Lovett, even though I watched it nearly kill my mother on stage. It’s quite a physical feat. I love any sort of powerful female characters, even if they’re slightly mad. They’re just so wonderful to play. And, honestly, any character written with such well-roundedness and depth is a dream.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is in theatres now.
Interview Gennaro Costanzo
Photography David Reiss
Styling Sarah-Rose Harrison
Hair Chad Maxwell
Make-up Amanda Grossman
