The breakout actor, Lola Petticrew, took on the role of a terminally ill teenager opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the latest drama from A24, aptly titled 'Tuesday.' Petticrew's heartstrings were tugged by the script, a profound and fantastical tale about a mother and daughter's journey to face death head-on. The role was unlike any other she had encountered, drawing her in with its uniqueness. Little did she know that the Irish actress, who has starred in films like 'Wolf' and 'She Said,' would be sharing the screen with the esteemed Julia Louis-Dreyfus, portraying her character's mother.
"Growing up, I watched 'Seinfeld' religiously and adored 'Veep.' But there was a year in drama school where I obsessively watched 'SNL,' and Julia was my hero," Petticrew, 28, reminisces over Zoom from her cozy Belfast home. The allure of the role intensified when the cast and crew converged in London. "I was under the impression that this was just another small, indie film like the ones I'd been doing," Petticrew explains. "But during a sushi outing, the producers repeatedly mentioned A24, and I was perplexed. 'Why are you guys constantly talking about that studio?' I asked. They replied, 'Because this is an A24 movie.' I nearly choked on my avocado roll!"
In director Daina O. Pusić's upcoming film, set to release on June 14, Petticrew portrays a teenager facing a terminal illness, visited by a mysterious talking bird that serves as a foreboding figure of death. Louis-Dreyfus' character valiantly attempts to ward off the bird's ominous presence. During filming, Petticrew found herself acting opposite "bits of tape on a stick" as the filmmakers intended to add the CGI bird in post-production. She also had to breathe in a near-hyperventilated state to emulate her character's deteriorating health. "This was the first job where I struggled not to take the emotional toll home with me," Petticrew confesses. "I often experienced panic attacks due to my breathing, and my body remained in a constant state of fight-or-flight. It taught me the importance of leaving work at the office."
Due to pandemic precautions, Petticrew didn't meet Louis-Dreyfus until the first day of rehearsals. However, their mutual admiration for the actress made it seamless to slip into the skin of mother and daughter. "On our first day, we chatted for a bit, and then I stepped out for a cigarette on the balcony. She scolded me for it," Petticrew chuckles. "I've quit smoking since then — maybe that's the silver lining!"
Later this summer, Petticrew will take center stage alongside a captivating ensemble of fellow Irish actors in the FX adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe's groundbreaking expose, Say Nothing. This thrilling tale chronicles the thirty-year saga of violence in Northern Ireland, commonly known as The Troubles. Landing this role was a significant milestone; Petticrew felt a profound personal connection to the material and penned a heartfelt letter explaining why they were the perfect fit for the part—unaware that they had already secured the role.
"I was born during a cease-fire," Petticrew reminisces. "I felt like I could be a voice for someone from the region. When I began auditioning, I sat in a coffee shop to read the script, but eventually, I had to leave because I couldn't stop sobbing. After that, I knew, 'I'm going to get this job, no matter what.'"
The show premiers amidst a period of Irish domination in Hollywood, with Petticrew following in the footsteps of illustrious actors like Cillian Murphy, Jessie Buckley, Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Barry Keoghan. Petticrew enthuses that they, too, can sense something exciting happening in their country. With a twinkle in their eye, they add humorously, "Perhaps we all owe it to the antics of the Derry Girls!"
