Rhian Blundell is a British actress who is predominantly recognized for her performance as Meredith Beckham on the series Vampire Academy. The series is based on the novel Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and is adapted by Julie Plec and Marguerite MacIntyre for Peacock. She landed the role of Jenny in the 2022 film Nobody Girl.
Hello Rhian! We're very happy to see you in our interview. How are you doing?
— I’m great, thank you so much for this!
Could you tell us, please, what was the starting point for your career?
— Honestly I don’t know, I still don’t feel like it’s really started! Maybe one day it will all feel real.
You played the role of Jenny in Nobody Girl. As far as we know, the show is in post-production. Can you share your impressions about filming this project?
— Yeah, it was really fun! It's crazy, it was so long ago. We shot the whole thing in Wales which is one of my favourite places.
How does it feel to be part of the Doctor Who universe?
— It was so cool! It’s such an iconic thing and it’s been a part of so many people’s lives for generations. It’s the one thing I’ve done that everyone has some connection to. I feel very lucky.
Vampire Academy. Oh, my gosh! What a great project. Were you excited to be a part of this story?
— Beyond excited! I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to express how grateful I am to Julie and Marguerite that they let me be a part of this story and that I got to get to know all the incredible people working on the project. Everyone cared so much for it. I feel very lucky.
Have you read the Vampire Academy book series?
— I’d read them a long time ago and then I read them again after we finished filming - it’s such a rich world!
What about the 2014 movie? Did you get to see it?
— I did see it! I remember being obsessed with Claire Foy.
Do you have any special way of preparing for a role?
— You have to do the script work - do all the homework you can with the writing before you even get anything on its feet. I like to free write before a scene too, just random stuff about where the character has been or what they’re thinking. And I always make a playlist for each part. Everything from songs that just get me into the headspace but I also like to have pieces of music for the other characters too, anything that’s an easy trigger into the world.
If you can play any existing character, which one would you like to choose and why?
— I’m already jealous of whoever gets to play Abby in The Last of Us. That is a dream role.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any other hobbies?
— I’m a writer so I try to do as much of that as I can. I love to garden too, that’s my happy place. And I just started weight training - I definitely think I’m better than I am at that!
Favourite movie?
— I hyper fixate to much have a favourite of anything for too long! Growing up it was always Ghostbusters.
Favorite TV series?
— Again, it changes too often but recently rewatched Godless.
Favorite book?
— The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
Your favorite quote?
— Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. - Rainer Maria Rilke.
Your favorite singer/band?
— Currently Jacob Banks or Kelechi.
Your favorite song?
— Today it's Stayway by MUNA - The Now, Now Remix. It’s been on repeat for like an hour.
What track might describe the pace of your life?
— Anything with 80s synth.
Marvel or DC?
— Can I say Star Wars instead?
What's your Hogwarts House?
— Hufflepuff.
Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it?
— Professionally Pete Postlethwaite. A bit of Robin Williams too. But personally I have an amazing family and chosen family that I’m inspired by daily.
