British actress Lily James steps into a role like no other, playing 90s icon Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series Pam & Tommy, revealing in a new interview how she got into character.
The 32-year-old actress was joined by her director in 2015’s Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden on Thursday.
After a clip was revealed, which Branagh marveled at how ‘unrecognizable’ James is as Pamela Anderson, she revealed one of her favorite ‘triggers’ for getting into character as the Baywatch superstar.
In character: British actress Lily James steps into a role like no other, playing 90s icon Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series Pam & Tommy, revealing in a new interview how she got into character
Lily and Kenneth: The 32-year-old actress was joined by her director in 2015’s Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden on Thursday
Unrecognizable: After a clip was revealed, which Branagh marveled at how ‘unrecognizable’ James is as Pamela Anderson, she revealed one of her favorite ‘triggers’ for getting into character as the Baywatch superstar
When asked by Corden what her specific phrase was to get into character, the actress said she had a few, but one was her favorite.
‘It’s useful to have those sort of anchors when you go into an accent. One of them was, “I love kids, I love kids,” and there were different ones that I’d do, but my favorite one was this MTV Cribs thing where she goes, ‘Security! Security!’ James said.
James was referring to the start of Anderson’s segment on MTV’s Cribs in the Season 2 premiere, when she opened the door to her home and feigned surprise that someone was there and said, ‘Security! Security!’ as her adorable dog arrived.
Character: When asked by Corden what her specific phrase was to get into character, the actress said she had a few, but one was her favorite
Security: ‘It’s useful to have those sort of anchors when you go into an accent. One of them was, “I love kids, I love kids,” and there were different ones that I’d do, but my favorite one was this MTV Cribs thing where she goes, ‘Security! Security!’ James said
The ‘anchor’ would prove to be somewhat troublesome, though, as James came to learn that it would trigger the actual security on set.
‘So that it was always– that was my line. But then in America I guess everyone has security, particular three here, there were a couple of security guards on set and they would always run over, no, no, go away. I’m getting in character.
Corden also asked James what it was like to put on, ‘that iconic red swimsuit,’ which James confirmed was a ‘four-hour transformation’ each day.
Real security: The ‘anchor’ would prove to be somewhat troublesome, though, as James came to learn that it would trigger the actual security on set
Transformation: Corden also asked James what it was like to put on, ‘that iconic red swimsuit,’ which James confirmed was a ‘four-hour transformation’ each day
‘I mean it was wild. I was very nervous about that day obviously because it just feels so iconic,’ James said.
‘It was weird. I sort of lost myself. I couldn’t see myself any more. And then I would get on the bathing suit and be in my trailer doing pressups getting the blood flowing,’ she added.
Corden also asked what inspired her to be a performer, with James mentioning that her grandmother was an actress, Helen Horton, who was born in America and had a theater career in England, while also appearing in films like Superman III and voicing the Nostromo ship’s computer dubbed Mother in the sci-fi/horror classic Alien.
Nervous: ‘I mean it was wild. I was very nervous about that day obviously because it just feels so iconic,’ James said
Lose yourself: ‘It was weird. I sort of lost myself. I couldn’t see myself any more. And then I would get on the bathing suit and be in my trailer doing pressups getting the blood flowing,’ she added
‘My grandmother was an actress. She was just amazing. American, born in Virginia, she had that amazing American but old school accent that was just so beautiful and particular and she always had heavy bangles and I would go into her bedroom and try on all her stuff and steal her bangles,’ she said.
James added that her grandmother, ‘acted her whole life,’ and, ‘when she got too old, she just did radio,’ James said, adding, ‘she just really, was a proper, proper actor.
James’ new series Pam & Tommy debuted the first three episodes, with the last five episodes dropping weekly every Wednesday on Hulu.
Proper actress: James added that her grandmother, ‘acted her whole life,’ and, ‘when she got too old, she just did radio,’ James said, adding, ‘she just really, was a proper, proper actor
New series: James’ new series Pam & Tommy debuted the first three episodes, with the last five episodes dropping weekly every Wednesday on Hulu
