Charlotte Kirk - The Actress From "Duchess" (Actress, Writer, Producer from LA and London)

New York Post

"Success comes from perseverance, resilience, and the courage to fearlessly pursue your dreams." 

1. Can you share a bit about your early beginnings and what inspired you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

I have always loved movies, and growing up, I was passionate about acting, singing, and dancing. Someone once told me, "Charlotte, if you want to be an actress, go to America," so that's exactly what I did. After finishing drama school in the UK at 19, I moved to Los Angeles. A few years ago, just after COVID, I met Neil Marshall, my co-producer and director, and we started creating projects together. As an actress, I realized that good scripts are hard to come by, so I decided to write and produce my own movies.

2. Which role or project has been the most challenging for you, and why?

"Duchess" has been the most challenging project for me. It was my biggest film, with extensive organization, many roles, producers, and locations. The role itself was physically demanding—I had to learn to fight and box. Each film presents its own challenges, though. For instance, in my first film, "The Rattling," I had to learn horse riding and sword fighting. In "The Lair," I had to fire a gun for the first time. But "Duchess" stands out because of its sheer scale.

3. As someone who wears multiple hats in the industry, how do you balance the different aspects of your career, such as acting, writing, and producing?

It’s essential to keep these roles separate. When I’m writing, I focus solely on that. When I’m acting, I don’t think about producing or writing. On set, I’m just the actress, not the producer or the writer. This separation is crucial; otherwise, it can become overwhelming. Each role requires its own focus.

4. Your new movie “Duchess” has been getting a lot of attention. Can you tell us about your experience working on it as both an actress and a writer? How did that feel?

"Duchess" was officially released recently, and the response has been fantastic. The idea came from my love for gangster movies like "Scarface" and "Goodfellas." I noticed that these films rarely featured a female boss, which I found intriguing. That’s how the concept for "Duchess" was born—a gangster movie with a female lead. It was an incredible experience bringing this vision to life.

5. Having won 13 awards and received 12 nominations, what do you believe has been the key to your success? Are there any particular moments or projects that you feel were pivotal in your career?

Perseverance, determination, and resilience have been key. This industry is tough, and you have to be 100% dedicated. A pivotal moment for me was being on my first film set, leading my own movie—it was a "wow" moment. But the journey is continuous; you must stay focused and driven.

6. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?

I just finished an action film with Dolph Lundgren and Michael J. White called "Fight or Flight," set to release next year. I also completed a horror film with Neil Marshall titled "Compulsion," coming out next year. Additionally, I’m excited about the release of "Duchess" in India and another horror film with Lin Shaye and Barbara Crampton. I absolutely love horror movies!

7. Have you ever watched any Bollywood movie?

I have watched "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Life of Pi", both were amazing.

8. How has your journey in the entertainment industry shaped you as a person, both professionally and personally?

It has made me stronger and more independent. Professionally, I’ve learned to rely on myself and be resilient. As an actor, though, I’ve had to remain vulnerable and focused. The industry forces you to balance strength with creativity, making you a better businessperson overall.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring actors, writers, and producers who are looking to make their mark in the industry?

My advice is simple: just do it. Don’t overthink it. If this is your passion, you have to go for it, even if it’s scary. Start with small projects and see if you love it. Regret comes from not trying, so it’s essential to take that leap and pursue your dreams.

10. Can you tell me how you shaped your journey from the start until now?

A significant part of my journey was moving to the U.S. It provided many opportunities and taught me to be fearless. Being willing to fail and learn from it has been crucial. Now that I’m back in the UK, I still work a lot in the U.S., but that initial step of going to America was pivotal. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll work on a Bollywood movie—I’d love that.

11. You mentioned that you would love to do a Bollywood movie one day. Can you share your thoughts on that?

Bollywood is massive, even bigger than Hollywood, with an incredible fan base in India. The energy in Bollywood films is so lively and fun, and it would be a completely different experience from Hollywood or Europe. Indian filmmakers are incredibly talented, and I’d love to be part of that world.

12. If you could star in a film of any genre with any actor, living or dead, what would be your dream project and why?

My dream project would be to star opposite Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire." He’s one of the greatest actors ever, and playing Vivian Leigh’s role opposite him would be an incredible experience. There’s never been anyone like Brando before or since.

Bio:

Charlotte Kirk is an award-winning actress, writer, and producer who began her journey in theatre at the age of nine, performing in Greek tragedies like Agamemnon and Arturo Ui. Her passion for the stage led her to the West End, where she appeared in musicals such as A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, and Hairspray. After honing her craft at the prestigious Italia Conti School of Acting in London, she furthered her training with Jigsaw Performing Arts in the UK and renowned method acting coaches Susan Batson and Lee Strasberg in New York City.

Growing up in South East London, Charlotte moved to the U.S. in her early 20s to pursue her career, first to New York and then to Los Angeles, where she spent the next 10 years. In 2015, she landed a starring role in Vice (Lionsgate 2016), a sci-fi thriller opposite Bruce Willis and Thomas Jane.

In 2018, Charlotte co-wrote, produced, and starred in the award-winning movie The Reckoning, directed by Neil Marshall. The film was shot in Budapest and released globally in 2020, earning her multiple awards for her intense dramatic performance.

In 2020, Charlotte completed the action-horror hit movie The Lair, also co-written, produced, and starring her, and directed by Neil Marshall. The Lair premiered at Leicester Square IMAX as the opening night gala of Fright Fest 2022.

Charlotte returned to the UK in 2021 to focus on creating her own projects. She formed Scarlett Productions and Primal Empire Studios Ltd., developing several feature films. As part of Scarlett Productions' slate, Charlotte co-wrote, produced, and starred in the British gangster movie Duchess, which follows her character Scarlett Monaghan's rise from a working-class criminal to a ruthless crime leader. The film is set to be released in 2024.

Charlotte is starring in the upcoming erotic thriller Compulsion, opposite Anna Maria Sieklucka, and has completed seven feature films since, including the female lead opposite Stephen Baldwin in the film-noir comedy No Panic with a Hint of Hysteria (Dir. Tomasz Szafranski), and the female lead in the psychological drama The Depths (award winner at seven film festivals). She also made appearances in How To Be Single (Warner Bros 2017) and Ocean's 8 (Dir. Gary Ross, Warner Bros. 2018) opposite Sandra Bullock.

Charlotte portrays Nicole Brown Simpson in writer/director Joshua Newton's true crime drama Nicole and O.J., set for release in 2025.

An accomplished singer, Charlotte performed the end title track for No Panic with a Hint of Hysteria and has graced the covers of magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Glamour Magazine, and LA Magazine.

She currently resides between London and Los Angeles.

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Interviewed by: Shantanu Singh 

Edited by: Mishika Goel