Celebrity

And why the actor approached her latest role like a man.

Lucy Boynton and I kick off our call in a classically British fashion: by talking about the weather.

I dont think of myself as aformer child star.

Lucy Boynton of ‘The Ipcress File’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and ‘The Politician’.

I think its a Britain vs America thing, she explains.

It feels more like a job than a lifestyle.

The easiest way to discredit a woman is to say that shes emotional, Boynton remarks.

Lucy Boynton in ‘The Ipcress File’

Jean had to guard herself against that, so I made her really steely.

I wanted her to operate like a man in that environment.

Ive been told, Oh, gosh, Jean really doesnt crack a smile, does she?

Im as frustrated as I am satisfied with that feedback.

Boyntons not shy about telling me she wanted to keep the entire wardrobe.

As a result, she gets to wear these bright, empowering colours and shapes.

Hiding in plain sight is a little more difficult for Boynton.

It doesnt help, either, that shes dating a high-profile actor.

How does she deal with the fame and the interest in her personal relationship, I ask?

I can understand the intrigue, she explains.

I feel the same towards actors whose work I like, Im intrigued as to who they really are.

But its also counterproductive to offer that information as an actor.

If you know way too much about me, that becomes more difficult to achieve.

Its not hard for me to pull back, Im inherently a private person.

I just let the work speak for itself.

But she has since relieved herself of that burden.

Its not about you.

Particularly useful for Boynton as she navigates the last two years of her 20s.

Im feeling f*cking great about [turning 30], she tells me emphatically.

The older I get, the calmer I feel.

Your 20s are so chaotic.

Youre emerging into the world as your independent self, and trying to find your place.

So far, Ive found that to be true.

Speaking to people who are 30 and over, they seem to feel less self-conscious.

Im definitely looking forward to having increased clarity and peace.

I think we can all relate to that desire, cant we?

This article was originally published onMarch 17, 2022