Eerie Charm Abides with Me

Morfydd Clark, the 35-year-old Welsh actor, is an enigma. With her pale, almost translucent skin and watery blue eyes, she has become the go-to for directors wanting an ethereal, otherworldly presence. Her breakthrough performance as a pious, uptight nurse in the 2019 indie film Saint Maud led to a Bafta Rising Star nomination. But Clark sees it differently. “It’s quite humbling to continually be cast as someone who is really freaky,” she says with a sing-song burr.

Clark was born in Sweden to a Glaswegian dad and a mum from north Wales who met while singing in the same choir. Her parents, a software engineer and a paediatrician, moved the family back to the UK when Clark was two. She developed a lifelong love of anarchic characters from Swedish children’s books, such as Pippi Longstocking and Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter.

At seven, Clark was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and put on pills to level out her behaviour. She attended Welsh-language school, but struggled with the discipline, often getting into trouble for speaking English. After leaving school at 16, Clark decided to pursue acting, encouraged by her mother, who had initially suggested she try singing or drama.

Clark worked steadily through her 20s, both on screen and in theatre, including roles in the BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield. Her plan B, if acting didn’t work out, was to become a midwife. “I’ve watched every One Born Every Minute,” she says, referring to the Channel 4 documentary series set in a labour ward.

Clark’s breakthrough came with Saint Maud, which premiered at the Toronto film festival and earned her a Bafta nomination. The film’s writer-director, Rose Glass, became a close friend and collaborator, and Clark credits her with helping her develop her craft.

Clark’s latest role is Galadriel in Prime Video’s Lord of the Rings prequel, The Rings of Power. She spent almost two years in New Zealand, filming the show, which was shrouded in secrecy. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve been working for the government,” she says, laughing.

Clark’s personal life is just as interesting as her professional one. She lives with her younger sister, Siwan, a teacher and researcher, and their toy poodle-bichon cross, Matty. “Matty is my timetable enforcer,” she says. “She makes sure I take her out in the morning.”

Clark’s upcoming projects include a film version of Hamlet, in which she plays Ophelia opposite Riz Ahmed. “He’s such an incredible Hamlet,” she says. “I think because he’s a musician and a rapper, as well as being an incredible actor, I’m very familiar with Hamlet and yet hearing him do it, I felt like I didn’t know anything about it.”

Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is on Prime Video from 29 August. Starve Acre is in cinemas from 6 September. Roots runs at the Almeida Theatre from 10 September to 23 November, Look Back in Anger from 20 September to 23 November (almeida.co.uk)

Conclusion

Morfydd Clark is a talented and versatile actress who has quickly become a sought-after talent in the industry. With her unique blend of quirky charm and ethereal beauty, she has captivated audiences and critics alike. From her breakthrough performance in Saint Maud to her latest role as Galadriel in The Rings of Power, Clark has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with.

FAQs

Q: What is Morfydd Clark’s breakthrough role?
A: Her breakthrough role is as a pious, uptight nurse in the 2019 indie film Saint Maud.

Q: What is The Rings of Power?
A: The Rings of Power is a Prime Video series that is a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Q: What is Morfydd Clark’s next project?
A: Her next project is a film version of Hamlet, in which she plays Ophelia opposite Riz Ahmed.

Q: What is Morfydd Clark’s personality like?
A: Clark is described as quirky, charming, and eccentric, with a unique sense of humor.