Victoria Broom is an British actress and writer. Victoria best known for the Netflix Emmy Award Winning show «Marcella», as well as BBC One’s «Cheaters». She is also acclaimed for her award-winning role as Fran in «Different for Girls». Next, she will star in UKTV’s new murder mystery family drama from master of thriller writing, Chris Lang - «I, Jack Wright». The crime drama will air on the 23rd April on specialist crime drama channel U&Alibi and BritBox.
Hello, Victoria! Welcome to our interview. Could you please tell us how your spring is going?
— Hi and thank you. Spring is going well, busy time of year which is always good and some nice getaways lined up!
I always start the interviews by asking one of the traditional questions: at what point in your life did you decide to become an actress and why?
— Honestly, it’s always been in my blood. I can't remember a time when I didn’t want to be an actor, it wasn’t a decision I made, it just was. The first time I remember performing was in talent shows when I was 3 or 4 years old, I got the bug from that moment onwards. I just always wanted to explore the world of performance.. it's been with me my whole life. I don’t know a world without it.
You have over 60 projects in your filmography, for example «Marcella», «Different for Girls», «Cheaters», «Viking Destiny», «Wonder Woman 1984» and others. Wow! That's very impressive. Could you please tell us which ones are your favorites?
— That’s a tough one as I've loved them all, but due to it being my first major series, it has to be Marcella. I learnt so much from that show and the people. I thank the casting team of Marcella for changing the landscape of my career. So Sascha Kyte (my character in the show) will always be one of my favourites and she means a lot to me. I learnt so much from that cast, and the 3 directors I worked with. It was a nerve wracking but wonderful experience.
What genres do you like to star in the most?
— I started out in classical theatre, so I will always love working on the classics, the history plays of Shakespeare are a particular favourite and secret passion of mine. Gritty thrillers and dark comedies are a joy to explore on screen. The hidden nuances of them both are just delicious for an actor to unravel.
Is there a genre you haven't starred in yet but would really love to?
— I've been asked this a lot so I hope I'm manifesting the reality of it. I would love to explore a gritty courtroom drama, the idea of delving that deep into a world so far away from my own reality would be so rewarding for me. The prep, the research the understanding of legal language that is foreign to me.. .yes please! I would also love to do a natural disaster movie, I love this genre! I'm a massive geek for geology, and I know the lingo already, so anything volcano, earthquake related.. I'm in!
Which actors and directors did you enjoy working with the most? Which ones would you like to work with again?
— Three directors instantly come to mind, Charles Sturridge for Marcella, Patty Jenkins for Wonder Woman 1984 and Peter Kosminsky for The Undeclared War. All three were so encouraging and allowed me to explore the characters in my own way. They were so complimentary and really took their time to get to know me as a person and how I worked as an actor. I had wonderful experiences on all three of those sets. And I would jump at the chance to work with any of them again. An actor I would love to work with is Nicholas Pinnock, we were in the same series together (Marcella) but never got any screen time together.
If you could play any existing character, who would you choose and why?
— Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones would have been SO much fun to play! What a gloriously twisted character to transform into. She would have been delicious. But I can't not mention Schitt’s Creek..I mean Moira Rose.. Alexis Rose.. either, or, thank you please! Brilliant comedy writing, just perfection.
Did you face any difficulties while filming? Can you share with us a story about how you handled them?
— I wouldn’t say it’s a difficulty but it's something 90% of actors get, it’s the first day nerves. On my latest series I,Jack Wright, my first day on set was the biggest scene in the whole series. With a huge all star cast, I was so nervous, but luckily it was their first day on set too and they were all as nervous about meeting everyone else as I was. That broke the ice for us all thankfully. And what a joy that show was to be part of. I cannot wait for you all to see it.
You are a writer for several projects. What is the most interesting aspect of this area for you?
— I write about subjects I am passionate about - stories I feel are unheard. I am working on two ideas at the moment, both of which I am very excited about. One has had quite a bit of interest, so hopefully I can share some good news on that soon.
According to iMDb, you have a black belt in kung fu, which you got at the age of 17. Tell us about sports in your life. Do you keep practicing sports?
— Ha! Yes that is true. I was an under 21 National Champion and black belt in Kung Fu. I don’t practice anywhere near as much as I should. In the National Championship I had my nose broken and I was already focussing on my acting career, after that fight, I never fought again. It’s muscle memory though, so it never leaves you, I can still look like I can throw a good punch!
Sports wise now, I'm very much into the outdoors, so I love going for a hike, I love mountains, so you will either find me in a gym weight lifting, on my bike or up a mountain.
If you hadn't become an actress, who would you be now?
— There isn’t anything else I have ever wanted to be.. but based on what I'm interested in, probably a volcanologist. I'm a MASSIVE Geek for earth sciences. I have a rock collection and everything! Yep, I'm that geeky!
We know you support Bloody Good Period as well as The Stroke Association. That's very noble. Tell us how you came to support it?
— The work Bloody Good Period do is so incredible and underfunded; they are removing the stigma of period poverty which affects so many women, girls and menstruating people all over the globe. I'm passionate about The Stroke Association and the vital research they are doing into Stroke, victims and the families affected by stroke. I champion their work in memory of my Gran, who suffered from a stroke over 11 years ago.
Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
— I love reading, I'm a big book worm, I find a lot of enjoyment getting lost in a book. I'm a gym bunny too. Last year I discovered Padel, now play every week. And I love being ourtdoors, I split my time between Central London and the South Downs.
Favourite movie?
— Apocalypto.
Favorite TV series?
— Schitts Creek (It’s a go to).
Favorite game?
— Trivial Pursuit (old school boardgames are the best).
Favorite book?
— I have two: «Flights» by Olga Tokarczuk and «The Master and Margarita» by Mikhail Bulgakov.
Your favorite quote?
— Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things.
Favorite color?
— Royal Blue.
Your favorite singer/band?
— Too many to choose from as I have quite an eclectic mix.
Your favorite song?
— At the moment its ‘Missing Piece’ by Vance Joy.
Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?
— Coming Home - Leon Bridges,
Catch my Breath – Alex Warren,
I wanna thank me – Meghan Trainor.
Marvel or DC?
— I was in Wonder Woman 1984, so I have to say DC.. Obvs.
What's your house from Game of Thrones?
— Has to be Lannister based on the fact I would have loved to play Cersei!
