I don't think any actors love taking their clothes off on film, unless you're an exhibitionist, which I'm certainly not. Those are the scenes that you actually dread doing. But, so much more goes into this role. As an actress, it's all about reality, and I'm not a prude. I'm not someone who judges other people for taking their clothes off for roles. I'm not going to show everything, but nudity here or there doesn't faze me.
Tamsin EgertonI did model for a little while part-time, but I wasn't a bloody model, and I am definitely not that horrible thing 'model-turned-actress.'
Tamsin EgertonGuinevere has been done quite a few times, especially as a mature young woman, who either is the damsel in distress or the warrior, strong-willed woman. Chris wanted a variety of things in this Guinevere. He predominately wanted her to be real and natural, and make mistakes and be passionate, and be the feisty young girl, but then also completely naive, innocent and ignorant, at the same time.
Tamsin EgertonI suppose I am one of those lucky people who eats what they like and doesn't gain too much weight.
Tamsin EgertonGuinevere and Arthur's story is so about the passion. It's about the sexual attraction between them. You can't have that story and show that sexual attraction with them kissing, and then shut the door. It just doesn't work. It's such an important part of their relationship and what happens in Camelot later on. It's who they are and how they bond.
Tamsin EgertonI love jewellery, but it's something I go through stages with. I have my go-to pieces that I will bring out and wear for weeks at a time.
Tamsin EgertonWhat I don't like about Guinevere is the fact that she can't control her passions and urges. She gets herself into quite a love triangle, and quite a web. Personally, I find that very difficult to relate to. But, it wouldn't be interesting, if she did everything right.
Tamsin EgertonThe 1950s would be my ideal decade because I'm actually very traditional; I enjoy being at home, and I'm a complete nester.
Tamsin EgertonThe weather in California is so much hotter than it is in England that it's absolutely changed my style. I have many more dresses and shorts than I ever thought I would coming from U.K.! It's so much easier to dress femininely in a warm climate.
Tamsin EgertonI am my own worst enemy. My friends and family will say, Youve got everything going for you right now, and I say, Oh yes, but! Which is not a good way to be.
Tamsin EgertonKicks are my forte. I've got strong legs and high kicks. And I've got very good reach, obviously.
Tamsin EgertonI will normally eat about seven or eight mince pies in one sitting. Sometimes, I can get to double figures. My friends, and probably most people, stop at two, so they probably dislike me a bit for it.
Tamsin EgertonAnd, the sets that they built are just so beautiful. It's like going to a completely foreign country and experiencing a new culture that you've never seen before, especially at Camelot. It's just so magical. Personally, it's just so much more interesting than wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and walking around somebody else's house.
Tamsin EgertonWhen you're acting, you're escaping and hiding behind something. It's cliched to say, but there's a safety there.
Tamsin EgertonI hardly ever missed school, and I always got my work in on time. I was a good student and always got top grades.
Tamsin EgertonI'm trying to cultivate a long-term career rather than get every job right this minute. That'd be putting too much pressure on myself. I'd go crazy if I thought like that.
Tamsin EgertonMy mum is a bit unconventional; she's outdoorsy and has more of an emotional intelligence, whereas my dad is pragmatic; he's a businessman.
Tamsin EgertonI love dressing up for events; to me it's almost like wearing a costume for the evening.
Tamsin EgertonI've always wanted to play Guinevere. I just asked Chris what he thought, and he steered me in the right directions. We just wanted to make her young and able to make mistakes, which I think is important.
Tamsin EgertonI have no sense of direction at all. Thank the Lord for my TomTom, otherwise I'd spend my whole life lost.
Tamsin EgertonThat's really why I wanted to do it. I wanted to be a part of this generation's telling of Camelot, and also get the chance to play a fantastic, complex, interesting, emotionally passionate, young lead role.
Tamsin EgertonMy style is schizophrenic! One minute I'll be wearing bright girly dresses, and the next I'll be swinging towards more structured masculine things.
Tamsin EgertonI was brought up to think a lot about food and have respect for it, both as medicine and something to eat and enjoy.
Tamsin EgertonGuinevere is not the Morgan type, where she's sultry and she knows she has this incredible female energy that she can use and utilize, and she's not necessarily used to having this power over men.
Tamsin EgertonI was very aware of the legend, from such an early age. Being a Brit, you are so aware of King Arthur, Camelot, Guinevere and Morgan, the witch. Merlin is this mad magician who's cloaked in mystery. It has that mystery about it. And, it's a lead role for a woman that's strong and has a real journey to take.
Tamsin EgertonI defy any woman that doesn't feel more elegant and more groomed and ready for an evening than if you have a blow dry.
Tamsin EgertonI don't think I've ever done a character like this before, so I couldn't really draw from previous roles. I've been known for doing a lot of comedies in England, so I don't think that would have worked. I completely went from scratch, with this one, and used the research and what was in the script, and spoke to Chris. It's all from in my mind ,rather than drawing from previous experiences or roles.
Tamsin EgertonI don't think any actors love taking their clothes off on film, unless you're an exhibitionist, which I'm certainly not.
Tamsin EgertonGuinevere is just head over heels and doesn't know how to handle these new emotions that she's feeling, as a young woman. Unfortunately, she can't reign it all in, all the time. And, even though she tries to do the right thing and be the good girlfriend and have her morals, she slips up a little bit.
Tamsin EgertonI know that the battle scenes, as well, are quite gory and quite strong. Battle was romantic, but it was far from being easy. It's nice, in both respects, to have that color and contrast.
Tamsin EgertonBut, as an actress, you don't want to run into these scenes, willy-nilly. The couple that I did do were important for the character and essential to the plot, to show what was actually going on between each character. It is great to be able to have that, and to be able to say certain things and have certain passions.
Tamsin EgertonI have to be careful not to do so many comedy airhead roles from now on. I've turned down a couple already.
Tamsin EgertonI actually love doing period pieces, purely because it takes you into a different world, mentally. The clothes you have to wear are so far from our everyday clothes that it immediately helps with the character and putting you in that mind frame.
Tamsin Egerton