An Interview with Melissa George from ‘The Mosquito Coast’

Melissa George is a highly accomplished actor that has appeared in iconic projects on both the silver and small screen. Currently she stars as Margot Fox on the Apple TV+ series, The Mosquito Coast, and we here at NTG were able, and honored, to sit down with Melissa to talk about her character and season two of this dynamic and brilliant series.
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John Betancourt: First and foremost, what does it mean to you personally, to be a part of a show that is so powerful and poignant?

Melissa George: Look, you know, sometimes we don't talk about the roles that we lose. But we're certainly today talking about the role that I won. And I feel proud of it. I feel that I'm glad that I wanted it as much as I got it. You know? I wanted it so badly to play Margot. I felt like I was connected to her on every single level. And I'm season two… in. Like that's… amazing. And then it's like something like 152 countries on Friday will see it?

John Betancourt: I think so.

Melissa George: That’s just… amazing.

John Betancourt: To top it off, Margot goes on a very unique journey this season.
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Melissa George: Yes.

John Betancourt: So, without spoiling anything, what are you most excited for audiences to experience when it comes to her journey?

Melissa George: I want them to reflect on the look of Margot in episode one of season one and see how vast this woman is like, all angles, like she's got everything, every part of her emotions are going to be displayed, every single side of her. And I love the fact that I knew from episode one, season one to episode ten of season two, that I'm going to unveil little by little, this real woman. And I got to do that. And this season. Margot is just such a force and it's been a joy to play.

John Betancourt: I can see why and that does lead me into my next question. Because the past couple of years, everyone has been pulling in different directions and searching for… something really. What ultimately do you think Margot is searching for?

Melissa George: I don't even think she knows. All she knows is she's stuck in a place that she doesn't want to be. Doesn't know how to get out and doesn't want to be there. So, you give her all these things and she doesn't… she's just finding out how to get out of it. You know? And then all of a sudden, all these people everyone that she runs away from comes to her life again. And it goes to show that no matter what you do in your past it will follow you and it will find you. And that's the hardest thing. She’s in the most isolated place in the world yet everyone knows where she is. Like, like go figure, you know? She cannot run away from what has happened. But she will die trying, she will die trying.

John Betancourt: Something I’ve always loved about this show, is the number of messages it features for the audience. What is the number one message you hope audiences take away from season two?

Melissa George: Oh gosh. Depends on who is watching. I mean, if you're into the environmentalism and you're, you know, avoiding capitalism and socialism and all of that, you're gonna get a lot out of it. And if you're into, like watching a mother… get the hell out of Dodge, and do it elegantly and refined and take her kids with her, then you're going to really get a lot out of it watching how Margot parents. Like how to be a great mother and how not to be a great mother, you will get both of it out of this season from this woman. I love watching that. I love it. I love the fact that sometimes she's just sitting there. She doesn't see her kids in days. IN DAYS! You know, I am not that mom! (Laughter from Melissa and John.) I tried to give my son a ribbon to be “autonome” in French, to be on his own in a resort. And I was finding him everywhere. (More laughter.)

John Betancourt: That’s a very good point. I guess we can debate the finer points of Margot’s quality of motherhood. (Laughter from Melissa and John.)

Melissa George: I don’t know why the social workers aren’t calling her! I don’t know. I don’t know where they are.

John Betancourt: I’d say it’s pretty bad when the NSA is still trying to get involved with it too. That’s like next level.

Melissa George: I love the fact that she doesn’t even care. She doesn’t even care… who’s after her. She’s just like, “I got it. I got this.”

John Betancourt: Exactly!

Melissa George: And then you see her in the first episode, like a little librarian writing her book with her glasses on like, “Whoa.” She knew who she was, she was just on her best behavior.

John Betancourt: She really was, she really did. So, the last question I have for you today. What are you most proud of when it comes to your time on this show?

Melissa George: I'm proud of the crew actually. That we did it with humor, with grace. With hard work and we made it through, I'm proud of, from the studio to cast service. We were one massive family, and we did it all together. Like yeah, they could say the actors or whatever, but we're just the people that deliver the final, you know, the thing that the people see. But what I saw was… I'm most proud of that, that we made it through in those conditions in that location. With… everything thrown against us. We made it through graciously. So…  proud of that.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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