An Interview with Geraldine Hakewill, the Star of ‘Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Season two of Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries debuts on AcornTV today and to celebrate its arrival, we were lucky enough to sit down with the show’s star, Geraldine Hakewill, to discuss the art of acting and how Geraldine brings the titular character of Peregrine Fisher to life.

John Betancourt: What is it that got you into acting in the first place?

Geraldine Hakewill: Oh, that's a really good question. I think I've always loved stories; I've always been a voracious reader. And I think actually, the real reason I wanted to be an actor was because I wanted to be in the stories that I was reading. I always wanted to kind of get inside them. So, this seemed like the obvious career choice.

John Betancourt: Since you want to dive deeper into stories and the people that populate them, what is it then that attracted you to the role of Peregrine Fisher?

Geraldine Hakewill: I always loved the original Miss Fisher books that this is a spin-off of, and I’d always loved murder mysteries. I've always been a big Agatha Christie fan and I love that sort of entertaining, kind of light murder. There's a lot of character stuff around the actual murder itself. It's also about the relationships of the main characters. And the murders often speak to something that the main character's going through. I've always thought that Agatha Christie in particular is ingenious at crafting these really surprising endings. And so, I was really attracted to the murder mystery element. But also, I've always loved period drama and the 60s is such a fun period. So, yeah, the combination of those two things made me very excited. And it's a female lead and she's complex and flawed and funny and she gets to wear amazing clothes and drive cool cars. There was nothing that made me think; ‘maybe I shouldn't do this.’

John Betancourt: So, you stepped into a playground, then?

Geraldine Hakewill: Yeah, exactly. 

John Betancourt: So, in staying in with the craft, what do you do to get into the mindset of the character and adjust to the era as well, since you’re jumping into the 1960s here?

Geraldine Hakewill: Well, we did a bit of research and we were given quite a lot of stuff to read and watch before we started the first season. Documentaries about Melbourne in particular in the 1960s, how people spoke, what people wore, what life was like back then, what the skyline looks like. It was great to see all of that and try to immerse ourselves into that. But at the same time, we're not making a documentary. We're making a kind of a heightened world and Peregrine is sort of a woman of her time, but out of her time. And so, she's much more fashion forward than most people were in Australia in the early 60s. And yeah, there are elements that are definitely heightened and almost fantastical. But we wanted to really ground it in the energy of that era. And so, there were lots of films that I watched, like a lot of Audrey Hepburn movies, The Avengers, Get Smart, Pink Panther, like those great screwball comedy shows and films that were really playful and lent into the aesthetic of the era. I loved how people use their bodies in those films and how much fun can be had from the physicality. And Joel and I both really tried to find a lot of that and play with a lot of that, and recreate the banter as well between a lot of the male and female leads in those films. That was a big reference for Joel and I in terms of our characters and their relationship. So, there was lots of stuff to draw on. And then I think as soon as you put the costumes on, and I have an hour and a half of makeup and hair every morning, so, you know, after that process and listening to 60s music and rocking it up on set and you're either on location in this amazing period, 60s house or a regional building or you're on set at the police station or Peregrine’s house and the detail of the fabrics of all the furniture and all the props, the telephone, the fridge, it just sort of transports you there. So, we're very lucky that we have a great art department, and you can kind of immerse yourself in the world. But it's also fun to research, because the films from that era are really fun. So, I had a great time and it's totally up my alley in terms of the humor and particularly the physical comedy and all the stunts and stuff. I just love throwing myself into that. So, it was just a joy.

John Betancourt: So, it sounds like there’s a big connection for you there. Which brings me to my next question. In that, how much of yourself would you say you’ve injected into Peregrine?

Geraldine Hakewill: Well, yeah, there’s always an element of yourself, I think, in every character. You can only portray things that come from you, I mean, you obviously use your imagination and research, but at the end of the day, this is your tool. So, even if I'm not trying to, there are things about her that come from me. She's definitely braver than I am and probably more spontaneous. I'm afraid of heights, for example. But Peregrine isn’t. A lot of the stunts and stuff, I sort of had to really get over myself. But it is amazing what happens when somebody says ‘action’. It does show you that a lot of those fears are in your mind because you suddenly find yourself doing things that you wouldn't normally do and would never put yourself in that situation. So, that's such an interesting psychological exercise, really. And yeah, so she's braver than me, but I, I suppose I have her silliness. I like to think I have her optimism about people and perhaps her curiosity and openness to being able to speak to lots of different people. And I really was drawn to that in her as a character. So, I don't know whether I don't think I brought that necessarily. I think that was within her already on the page. But I think that's something that we share.

John Betancourt: Oh, so it sounds like you do your own stunts, then?

Geraldine Hakewill: Yeah, I try and do all I can. There are some that are too dangerous for me to do and sometimes some of the driving - they have to have a second unit doing it. But I think this season, Joel and I both did all of our own driving. So, yeah, we pretty much do everything.

John Betancourt: Well, that sounds like blast! And speaking of doing amazing things on this show, what is it you would say you’re most proud of when it comes to this series in general?

Geraldine Hakewill: Oh, that's a great question. I think I'm proud of… I'm really proud of the relationship that we've all formed as a cast. I think we have a lot of sincere friendship off set, and I think that really translates on to screen. We have a lot of fun together and really care about each other. And I think that's particularly important when you're portraying a group of people who are meant to be family, and since Birdie and Samuel and Violetta become Peregrine's family and James becomes her family, I think it's so lovely that we don't have to pretend that, that we that we have all become so close and also that everybody who works on this show is so kind. It's a really lovely set to be on. And we really have a lot of fun with the crew as well. I'm really proud of the working environment that we've tried to establish and having a really good time. But I'm also proud of her as a character. I think, you know, female leads are still rare enough that people call them female leads. And I still get asked, what's it like playing a ‘strong, complex woman?’ And I sort of think, ‘aren't we all that?’ Everybody's complex and contradictory and flawed, and some people are good at some things and some people aren't good at other things, I think she's complicated. She's really good at a lot of things. But she also stuffs up and I love that she's not self-conscious either. I think I really tried to make sure that even though she's wearing these amazing clothes, it never holds her back from doing the things that she needs to do, and she'll physically put herself in situations and doesn't think about what she looks like. She just wants to get the job done. And I think especially for a woman that's really important, you can dress in really great clothes, but it doesn't mean that you have to be aware of your appearance all the time. I hope that that's a positive thing that she can give to the world.

John Betancourt: Well, that is definitely something to be proud of and everything you just said is one-hundred percent true. Now, without spoilers of course, what are you most excited for fans to see this season?

Geraldine Hakewill: I think… well, I'm really excited about the evolution of Peregrine and James' relationship. I think I'm hoping that fans will really enjoy that. And I think it's nice that it's different to Phryne and Jack from the original series. Their relationship evolves in a different way. It's been really fun to play and really speaks to the time period as well. Expectations of relationships in women. So, I think that's really fun. But I'm also so happy that we have more episodes and there's just all these really great worlds to play in. I think I can give this away, but there's a dog show, so we have a kind of Best in Show scenario, and I love that film so much that that was just such a joy. And I also love dogs and that was really fun. There's also a pigeon racing episode. So, we got to handle a whole bunch of pigeons and act with some pigeons. So, there's lots of really fun universes that we explore in each episode. And I think people will really get a kick out of that.

John Betancourt: Pigeons? Now that sounds different and intriguing.

Geraldine Hakwill: Pigeons are so intelligent. I had no idea. We have so many pigeons that are just kind of rogue in all our cities here in Australia. I'm sure it's the same in the US and they're like... just like rats in the sky, you know, some people joke about that. But they’re incredibly intelligent and so loyal. They mate for life. Yeah. Gave me a whole new respect for the common pigeon.

John Betancourt: That’s amazing. Well, I guess we need a documentary on pigeons, then, that’s what it comes down to.

Geraldine Hakewill: Yes!

John Betancourt: So, before we let you go, is there anything else you want to tell your fans about season two?

Geraldine Hakewill: Oh, just that I really hope they love it. I think it's going to be such a great bit of escapism after such a tumultuous 18 months and it's sexy and funny and intriguing. And I hope that they really enjoy the ride because we really loved making it.

The first two episodes of season two of ‘Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries’ are available to stream right now on Acorn TV and check out our recap of the season two premiere right here.

This interview was lightly edited for clarity.

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