ELIZABETH LONGSHAW TALKS THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVED
"Empathy, rather than judgement"
Daniel John
When a crime novelist reveals having survived a serial killer in a new book, the killer returns and demands his legacy re-written. With it also comes the attention of true crime-super fans, such as Claire, whose intense interest might be more personal than it first appears. What drew you to, and what did it take you to, get into her head?
I actually first auditioned for the role of Alice, and a few days later was asked to send in a tape for Claire. When I went back to the script and took a closer look at Claire, I was immediately drawn to her complexity and humanity. I’m always fascinated by the question of why good people sometimes do bad things or make questionable choices, and what experiences shape someone into who they become. Claire isn’t just what she first appears to be, there are layers to her and discovering those was really exciting as an actor. To get into her head, I spent time thinking about what she must have gone through as a child. Watching 'Yellowjackets' was quite helpful. Christina Ricci gives a wonderful and unhinged performance where her character’s behaviour might seem extreme on the surface. But underneath it, there is real hurt and history. I tried my best to approach Claire with empathy rather than judgement.
This is a fictional story, but true crime fans such as Claire are very real, why do you think so many are as fascinated as they are by the darker aspects of humanity?
I think it goes back to that very human question, “Why do people do bad things?” True crime stories gives us a way to explore that from a safe distance. There is a natural curiosity about what leads someone down that path, the psychology, the circumstances, the warning signs. I also wonder if people love true crime as a way of understanding the world a bit better. I think most of the fascination for it comes from a very human desire to make sense of things that feel senseless.
Is it right you were a fan and manifested getting into Lifetime-movies long before you were first cast as the lead in one?
Ha! Kind of. About a year before I booked the lead in my first Lifetime movie, I had a tiny role playing an influencer in a film called 'Dying in Plain Sight'. It was two scenes, maybe ten lines, but I remember calling my husband so excited to tell him I had booked it that he thought I landed the lead. Perhaps that was a bit of manifesting, because almost exactly one year later I ended up booking the lead in 'There’s No Way Out'. Which felt like, and still does feel like, a dream come true!
Do you believe such things are important, as an actor. Not every audition lands you a role, in fact behind every role there are probably many auditions that did not go anywhere, how do you sustain and inspire belief, throughout that uncertainty?
It’s funny timing for this question because recently I’ve come very close to booking a few roles that would have been huge for me. That’s the reality of acting. For every job you book, there are hundreds if not thousands that you don’t. For me, it’s really important to have a full life outside of acting. I stay busy with my family and two daughters which quickly puts everything into perspective. I also love being in class and just having a chance to play with no pressure attached to it. Staying positive in this business is very much a day-by-day practice for me.
What makes you passionate about this craft?
I have wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. There’s something incredibly powerful about stepping into someone else’s shoes and helping bring a story to life. I’ve always loved film and theatre, and the idea that stories can change how people feel or see the world. As actors, we get to be a part of that, and I take that responsibility very seriously, but I also just genuinely love to play and collaborate with the other amazingly talented folks in this industry.
What was your very first step into acting like?
My earliest memories of acting are from childhood school plays at Grand Canyon Elementary School. I remember performing in a 'SpongeBob SquarePants'-stage adaptation, and shortly after doing 'The Grinch'. I have a terrible long-term memory! But I do remember one thing very clearly, how much fun it was! There’s something about being on stage with a live audience that has always spoken to me. That energy and connection is addictive. And honestly, I am a Leo so performing may have always been a little inevitable for me.
What kinda roles and stories would you like to investigate next. What would be the next thing to manifest?
In keeping with our theme of trying to understand why people make questionable choices, I would absolutely love to exist somewhere in the world of 'The White Lotus'. Said every actor ever! I’m a huge fan of Mike White and the way he writes these beautifully flawed, complicated characters. At this point in my career I’ll keep my manifestation modest and say I’d be thrilled to just receive an audition for “girl at resort”. No such thing as a small role! The show is so intriguing in the way it explores human behaviour.
