1. What attracted you to the role of Mileva Maric?
Firstly, the opportunity to play a woman of substance rather than an object was enormously attractive to me. Secondly and most importantly, Mileva Maric’s story is undoubtedly that of a feminist icon — a significant and precious life story that has been largely ignored. Mileva Maric’s life is a cautionary tale about a brilliant woman’s vast capabilities being cut short. Yet another example of a woman being failed by history, made to jump through hoops and shackled by the time in which she lived. Mileva Maric deserved the recognition that was denied her. I was extremely attracted to going some way in righting that wrong, and acknowledging how unnecessary the treatment of her was. Mileva didn’t believe she was lovable. I grew to love her deeply. The thought of someone googling her, having watched Genius, and falling in love with what she stood for — respecting her at the very least — is a thought that makes me happy.
2. What kind of research did you do?
Walter Isaacson’s wonderful book was obviously my cornerstone. I also went on the usual jaunts around Google and YouTube. For me, though, the most potent and rewarding research was finding, devouring and perpetually returning to Mileva’s personal letters — the early love letters between Albert and Mileva and also the continued letters between Mileva and her best friend, Helena Savic. The letters between Mileva and Albert cracked apart the cold image I initially had of them both. Their letters exposed the infatuation and passion of two great minds colliding. Their hedonistic, bohemian life crackled off the pages. They were quite naughty with each other. Mileva toyed with him in the beginning. Albert was initially attentive and very sweet. The letters between Mileva and her best friend revealed her warmth, loyalty, pensive self-analysis, crippling vulnerability and sensitivity. The letters were a goldmine. I also researched her impediment as thoroughly as possible. It was important to me to be respectful to her and do her justice.
3. What surprised you/may surprise audiences about Mileva?
I was surprised and saddened by Mileva’s self-view. She wondered how she could be lovable. Mileva’s dichotomy was the most amazing thing about her. She held her strength and determination (needed to smash through barriers the way she did) in a way that would encourage others to believe she had worked out how to be impenetrable in that strength. Surprisingly, underneath that armor sat a deeply loving and incredibly gentle woman whose main beauty was in her huge heart. Her heart was her weakness. If she loved you, you really felt it. I loved learning that about her. I hope the audience does too.
‘Genius’ Photos
4. Why is it important to you to play a strong and intelligent female character in today’s world?
Giving voice to all versions of the female experience is vital today. Not just “strong” women. I’m hesitant that only “strength” is the current in-vogue label to respect in women. It concerns me that what is impressive about a woman can move with the tide — or that we even discuss what constitutes an impressive woman. Women shouldn’t be pigeonholed. I don’t think the glory of women should ever be packaged or boiled down to a few traits. The glory is in the texture and contradiction. The truth. Playing real women who embody those contradictions is important today. It’s important for women to see themselves reflected and that it’s OK to be whatever they are — weak women, unintelligent women, limited women, simple women, naive women, humble women, broken women, women who are trying, modest women, quiet women, brazen and unpalatable women, women who don’t exist on the page or screen just to facilitate a man.
5. What message do you hope Genius gives?
That curiosity is a beautiful thing. That challenging what you know to be wrong is never a bad thing. That the potency of fear shouldn’t encourage us to be lower versions of ourselves. That the mantle of Genius starts with a kernel of bravery and hope.
Genius airs on Sundays at 9PM ET on National Geographic channel.