An Interview with Máiréad Tyers from ‘My Lady Jane’

Máiréad Tyers as Susannah in ‘My Lady Jane’. (Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Prime/Prime Video.)

Máiréad Tyers is an accomplished actor that has appeared in multiple projects on the silver and small screen. Currently, she stars as Susannah in the Prime Video series, My Lady Jane, and we here at NTG had the distinct honor of sitting down with Máiréad, to discuss her experiences on the show.
 
John Betancourt: I would love to know what it means to you as an actor, to be part of such a dynamic and just so supremely unique show.
 
Máiréad Tyers: Yeah. I mean, that description is bang on, like, I think there's so many elements of the show that are really original and unique, as you say. And I think, like, there's so much kind of shows out there nowadays to watch. And I think if I was sitting at home and wasn't involved in the show, and I saw the trailer, I’d be like, “Oh my God, I want to watch that.” And so, to be part of something that I would really love to actually watch is very exciting. And also, like, you know, there's such an amazing team behind it. When I saw the list of names of creatives, you know, like the execs and directors and everything, when I, you know, look back on the work that has influenced me, a lot of their names are attached to those films and TV shows. So yeah, I feel like exceptionally proud to be part of this.
 
John Betancourt: As you should be, and what’s really interesting, is your character is relatively new to this universe, since there isn’t really any Susannah’s in the Tudor world. So, what did you enjoy the most as an actor, having the freedom that you did to create your character?
 
Máiréad Tyers: I think, like, if you told me I was going to be doing, like, a period piece that was set in Tudor times, and I'd be playing a maid, in my head, I'd be like, “Okay, so I'll wear a corset and a uniform and a little hat and be responsible for bringing in the tea and taking it away when they're done.” Like, I thought that that would be the extent of my character. And then, you know, reading the scripts, I'm like, “Oh my God.” Like, this character's got such a big secret, and the evolution of her and her journey from the first episode to the eighth, like, she goes on such a journey. And I think there was such freedom and joy to be found in playing, you know her, I guess, repression at the start, and her being forced to keep the secret and hide who she is, and then you see her being released into the world in a way that you know she didn't particularly want, but had to go along with what Jane wanted.
 
And then by being freed into the world, she actually, I think, found the people who she should have been with all along. And then you gladly see her relationship with Jane forming back together. And while there's a lot of tests in their relationship that they have to kind of figure out, and chats they need to have that have been needed to be had for years, I think it's really satisfying, as an actor playing that part, to finally be able to say all the things that you imagine she has had to hold in for years.
 
John Betancourt: What are you more excited for audiences to see, without any spoilers, just as a whole, for the show?
 
Máiréad Tyers: I think I'm really excited for people to see the costumes. Mainly, I think the costumes are incredible, like they're so well made, and the team who are working exceptionally hard day in day out, like, you know, get these deadlines and these dresses made and beautiful artwork and everything that's the production -- there's so many like, well crafted elements to this piece, as well as the music. Like, the music is really inventive and new and thoughtful. I think, like, yeah… there's loads. But also, to be honest, I'm really excited people just to see Emily Bader's performance. I think she's marvel, and I'm excited for them to learn that she's actually American and not English, when they hear her accent.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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