The magic of Andrea Riseborough is never quite knowing where you’ve seen her. I tell a friend her name, and he hasn’t a clue – then he googles her and realises he’s seen her in 16 films and two limited series for television. He recognised her face instantly. Riseborough tells me that it’s important to be slightly unknowable. It takes her a while. The actor speaks in long pauses, gathering her words and thoughts as if they’re precious, fragile little things.
“If you’re going to represent people in real life... you should retain... to the best of your ability... what might be considered a real life... in the sense that you can move through the world... in quiet observation.” Speaking to me over video call, Riseborough is curled up on the sofa of her London flat, a temporary abode while she’s appearing in a play. Surrounding her is vast nothing – white walls, a cushion. All the better to disappear into.
