Scott Davis chats with actress Stephanie Vogt…
In an exclusive interview with Flickering Myth, actress Stephanie Vogt sits down with Senior Staff Writer Scott Davis to discuss her new role in hit television show The Royals, as well as her career so far which has seen her work on Entourage, The Voices and The C-Word…
Scott Davis: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me and Flickering Myth about your exciting new role!
Stephanie Vogt: My pleasure! Thank you for the opportunity.
SD: You have just been cast in the hit show The Royals, you must be delighted?
SV: Ecstatic! I’m just coming off of a dark thriller and an action film, so it will be great fun to wear some stilettos and dig into The Royals.
SD: How did you gain the role in the show? Was there a lengthy audition process to get the role?
SV: I was in Istanbul filming Sniper when the call came in, so I begged one of my cast mates to help me put myself on tape. I got a call the next day that creator Mark Schwahn liked my performance, but wanted to give me a few adjustments. Mark and I spoke over the phone about his ideas, and then I re-taped the next evening… after a twelve hour day of filming. (my cast mate made me promise him dinner at J. Sheekey if I booked the thing) two days later I wrapped the film in Istanbul, and was on a flight back to London to meet with casting director Kristina Erdley and creator Mark Schwahn in person the next morning. We tried a few different takes, everyone was very happy, and the rest as they say is history! They could not have been more lovely and supportive along the way. Can someone please get me a reservation at J. Sheekey?
SD: For anyone who hasn’t seen the show, could you tell us a little about it as well as your role in the show? Are you signed up for a third season, should there be one?
SV: It is a devilish drama about “a fictional British Royal Family set in modern day London, who inhabits a world of opulence and regal tradition that caters to any and every desire…” (the show says it best) So ya know good ol’ fashion fun. It’s the first scripted series for the E! Channel, and did so well it got picked up for this second season. The show stars Elizabeth Hurley, William Moseley, Jake Maskall and Alexandra Park. I’m not sure about a third season, but I would like to put my vote in for Yes, Please!
SD: You have been working alongside UK export Elizabeth Hurley, what has that experience been like?
SV: She is as witty and flawless in person as you would imagine her to be.
SD: Entourage is perhaps your most high-profile role thus far in your career alongside the likes of Jeremy Piven and producer Mark Wahlberg. How did that role come around? Have you had chance to see the film yet?
SV: I have not had a chance to see the film yet because I’ve been working in Bulgaria, Serbia and Turkey over the past two months, but I’ve just landed back in London and its on the top of my list of things to do! Originally, I just auditioned and booked an under-5 role for one episode in the first season, and then to my delight, Doug Ellin called me back for the next season and the next and the next and… what a pleasure it was working with him and all the guys over the years. I feel really lucky. It’s hard to believe that first season was more than ten years ago. It is so fun looking back to the beginning, before everyone knew how big it would all become…
SD: We here at Flickering Myth are huge fans of The Voices, which was finally release here earlier in the year. How was the experience working with Ryan Reynolds on that film?
SV: Oddly enough, I didn’t get to meet Ryan. My turn around was quick on this film. I flew into Berlin to shoot my scenes and was off by the end of the week. He just so happened to have a few days off at the exact time, so I think he was out enjoying time with his wife. I did meet Jackie Weaver though, who is a total legend.
SD: Some of our UK readers may recognise you from your recent appearance alongside Sherdian Smith in The C-Word, which has had a wave of acclaim. How did you get involved with the show?
SV: I auditioned for casting director Andy Morgan. The entire team at the BBC, Lisa Lynch and her family, had been working on this project for a long time, and it was incredibly close to all of them, understandably.
The original story had a happy ending, with Lisa thought to be in remission and very much alive. Then, sadly, the cancer came back aggressively and she passed away before the film was able to be made. I was so drawn to this project because just like too many of us in this world, several close family members of mine have been ravaged by cancer. I was so inspired by Lisa’s honest spirit. During the audition, Andy and I worked through the scenes, but more importantly we shared our stories with one another. I feel very lucky they allowed me to be a part of this. It sure wasn’t easy for anyone, especially for Lisa’s family, but I know that they are very proud of Sheridan and the entire BBC family.
SD: Did you always want to be an actress, or did you have other aspirations at a young age?
SV: I was a year-round athlete throughout my teens and early twenties, so sports held my main focus. I received a scholarship to play basketball and volleyball at a junior college, and so didn’t have any time up to that point to take theatre courses. But my mom seemed to think I was a little rough around the edges and enrolled me into a modeling school to help me act more like a lady. haha! Not sure how well that worked out, but it did grant me the opportunity to start working as a catalogue and commercial model. At the same time I started working with acting teachers and coaches, and then received an opportunity to audition for several theatre companies. That is when my passion really came to life! I did four productions back to back, and immediately found my career “home”. I’ve just kept trying hard to build from there.
SD: Are there any other actors, directors, shows that you would love to be involved with/ appear alongside in the future?
SV: I have a massive list, but here’s a few off the top of my head. People; Julianne Moore, Frances McDormand, Mads Mikkelsen, Tom Hardy, Tina Fey. David Fincher, David O. Russell, Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Lana Wachowski. For shows; Vikings, Sense8, Ray Donovan, True Detective, Orange is the New Black, SNL, Check it Out! with Dr. Steve Brule. That’s just for starters!
Many thanks to Liz Rodriguez and the team at EMR Media for setting up the interview, and to Stephanie Vogt for taking the time to chat to us.
Scott Davis
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