Natalia Tena

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**From roaming the wilds of Westeros and now taking the stand in Channel 4’s Vardy v. Rooney: A Courtroom Drama, Natalia Tena is a powerhouse chameleon.**

Taking on the role of any fictional character is daunting enough but playing a real-life person who had a very public (and recent) trial is another beast entirely. And Natalia Tena makes it look easy. Her portrayal of Rebekah Vardy in Vardy v. Rooney: A Courtroom Drama breathes new life into the events that took place between May 2022-July 2022 that captivated the United Kingdom.

The ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial or ‘Scousetrap’ was sparked by Vardy herself who sued Coleen Rooney for defamation when Rooney accused her of leaking private posts from her Instagram account. The whole debacle is ripe with drama and that’s where the two-part series picks up, right in the thick of it. For those unfamiliar or who missed the excitement entirely? Don’t worry. The show does a brilliant job of summing up events, leaving the watcher to wonder how something could be allowed to snowball into the realm of public consciousness. But then again, who doesn’t love a little bit of drama in their lives?

Natalia’s ability to morph into Rebekah Vardy is nothing short of stunning; for those familiar with her work, it’s easy to see why she was chosen for the role. Her attention to detail and ferocious commitment is any director’s dream. From battling evil wizards in the Harry Potter franchise, playing the school alpha female in About a Boy and a vicious wilding with a heart in Game of Thrones, it’s clear that Natalia relishes the diversity of each character she portrays. It takes a special kind of bravery to step into someone else’s shoes and she does it with heart, steel and grit.

Natalia Tena spoke with 1883’s Dana Reboe about Vardy v. Rooney, how daunting it is to play a public figure, what roles she would love to play in the future, her favourite way to unwind and so much more.

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Vardy v. Rooney captivated the nation. What about the script captivated and resonated with you? What was something about this role that attracted you to the project?

I only found out about the case and who the women involved were when I received the audition. I remember I was with some mates of mine drinking wine on the roof of my houseboat, and I asked, ‘what the fuck is ‘Wagatha Christie?’ I’m a massive Agatha Christie fan so thought it was maybe a new show based on her work. They got me up to date and I think the day after the verdict was announced followed by Rebekah Vardy’s interview which blew my mind, she is what captivated me. Who she is, why she made the decision to go to court, and her past pain — it was riveting! There was no script at the time but even a few sides had me thinking this was an interesting way of showing the story. That, coupled with meeting director Oonagh Kearney while auditioning really cemented something for me. She immediately seemed so lovely and kind, and her vision of how she wanted to go about filming made me feel I would be in truly safe hands with her guidance.

Can you talk a little bit about the process of preparing for the role? How is portraying a real-life person different from portraying a fictional one?

I watched that interview she did after the verdict on repeat. We had such little time to prepare — I said yes to the job on the 22nd of August, and our first day off filming was the 29th. I did not stop watching that interview and all the other serious ones she did on Loose Women. From the moment I woke up, to the moment I went to bed she was on my laptop or phone. I wanted her accent, the melody of her voice, and her movements imprinted on my brain. I also crammed, on repeat, with the wonderful Brendan Gunn, a very patient accent coach who went through the script with me many times.

Knowing you’re portraying a real-life person, was that something that was ever daunting for you?

It was daunting from the moment I got the job, where usually there is a massive sense of celebration. I have never in all my years of acting been that consistently terrified doing a job. I was in proper fight or flight mode. The adrenaline did not abate for 3 weeks. This was in part due to playing a very well-documented human and the voice of self-doubt being at full public volume but more, not having proper time to prepare. Adrenaline is part of the performance but it’s something that with experience and some confidence in what you are doing, you learn to control and use it to thrive. This felt all-encompassing and even after we wrapped, I was in that state for a few weeks after. The director and the other cast members are the only things that got me through it, they consistently tried to drive home that I had been picked for some reason which vaguely silenced the lambs and meant I didn’t have a complete breakdown — thank you, you wonderful people if you read this!

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Was there anything that surprised you about this character while playing them?

Did not have time for that kind of introspection on the job!

From the real-life trial to script to screen what are you as a viewer most looking forward to watching?

I haven’t been able to watch it yet. The idea makes me feel a bit nauseous and makes me want to crawl under a rock. I think it is valuable to watch your work, even if only once so you can learn, evolve your technique, and see all the ways you have failed. At some point in January 2023, I will sit down alone, with the dog, and tear the plaster off.

What is a singular piece of advice would you give to Rebekah Vardy?

I wouldn’t give unsolicited advice to anyone I hadn’t met. I would need to, at least, share a drink with them! I save that for random acquaintances and all my poor friends and family.

To switch gears; you’ve played an array of characters from Tonks to Ellie, Osha and now Rebekah, what is a trait you share with them and one you don’t?

Tough question! Okay, maybe:

Ellie, from what I remember of her — fuck me, it was a long time ago — I’m like her in that she doesn’t really care about what people think about her, coupled with having an authority problem. I’m also not like her in the sense that she’s very cool — I had lice and people generally thought I was a bit mental — and the whole school thinks so, she’s an established adolescent alpha female.

Osha, I’m like her in that I’m pretty feral and at times almost bordering on violently protective of humans. However, I love water and being clean which is not in Osha’s repertoire. I also haven’t killed anyone so far.

Rebekah, My fella has mentioned once (or a hundred times) how absolutely relentless I am in general, but even more so if I think I’m right. I struggle to concede. However, I give very little energy to what I wear and put on makeup sporadically, if ever. I feel like Rebecca has an incredible eye for fashion and makeup that she uses to her advantage and a beautiful coat of armour.

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From stage to screen is there a dream role you’ve always wanted, if so who and why?

There are so many. Working again with my cinematic family Lastor Media and Carlos Marques Marcet in anything they do. I’m a big comic book fan. There are so many universes I love (and too long and boring to mention) that I would give my left ovary to be in. I met with writer Hugh Howey who gave me his first book of a trilogy years ago called Wool. He said he could see me being Juliet. I read the whole thing in one night, without sleep then rang my agents. I remember I was about 27 at the time and hoped that by the time I got to her age, 35, they would make it. I think they are, but I missed the casting as I was on a job. But hopefully, I can make it into the sequels of the book they film. Currently reading Children of Ruin, the second in a trilogy and I think I could pull off the sociopathic scientist with a god complex that is Dr. Avrana Kern.

In that vain, Dune sequels. Also, just to have it, a villain in a James Bond film. Then there is the earlier mentioned Agatha Christie. I would love to be in any more adaptions of her work. Period-wise, a biopic of Juana La Loca, a pretty impressive Spanish queen that was broken down by the patriarchy. Julie D’Aubigny the wonderful French outlier. Though maybe I’m too old for those parts now. If they remade House of the Spirits (Isabella Allende) in Spanish that would make my year.

Would love to work with Emma Rice again doing anything in her stage productions. Her current company called Wise Children is just an utter YES. I worked with her when she had Knee High and it was one of the jobs that made me feel the most alive in all my professional life. Also, it’s due to her that I picked up the accordion. I went on to have my band Molotov Jukebox and travel the world making people dance. I don’t know when I should stop with this question! Emilia in Othello? Yeah, let’s end with some high-brow Shakespeare.

When you’re not on set what is your favourite thing to do to unwind?

I will paint a picture for you: a long walk or run with my dog, preferably in a cemetery, passing on my way home to the library looking for a new book, a wine shop and Sainsbury’s to buy ingredients to make a long haul dish and collect Nectar points, a weird obsession from the pandemic I cannot shake. I will then proceed to make food ALL DAY (lasagna is a good one for that) while drinking wine and watching films or stand up. People I love will come over, I will feed them, they will make me laugh and then I will bake dessert, feed them again and then throw them out to read my book till I pass out. Or do cross stitching, either works.

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Peeking at Instagram, there was a shot of you with Tom Felton’s new book! How did the role of Tonks change your life?

I would say it opened audition doors for me. That coupled with Osha definitely helped me get amazing agents in both Spain and the US. As well as the tireless talented ones I have in the UK.

What is a piece of advice you’d give to your younger self knowing everything you know now about life and your career?

Stop worrying, work harder, and enjoy the ride more.

And lastly, what’s next for you?

There are a couple of films in the bag for next year, but I’ve nearly gotten into trouble with my big mouth in the past, so I’ll leave it at that. I am, however, so utterly grateful there isn’t looming unemployment like part of 2021 and most of 2022. Much of gaining experience in a self-employed job is trying to hold back the anxiety when you don’t have a project around the corner. Hopefully, I can take my own advice from the question into 2023.

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