Dakota talks about Franky and Skins

Golden Compass star Dakota Blue Richards joins teen drama Skins as it returns for a brand new series with a brand new cast

Tell us about your character, Franky.
She’s just come from another school where she’s been really badly bullied, and she’s had a really tough past. Now she’s trying to find that stability, and she’s found it with her parents but needs new friends. She’s slowly building up this life around her. But she is very unusual.

Did you have to audition for the role?
I did, but I actually read for another character, Liv. It wasn’t until the very end of the process they said, ‘You’ve got the part, but it’s as Franky instead of Liv’.

How long did it take you to ‘get’ what Franky is all about?
A long time, but I think that’s what’s quite special about her, because she is an amazing person, but nobody understands that. I think I’m beginning to get her now. And I really hope I’ve done her justice — she’s genuinely a beautiful person inside.

Why did you want to move from movies to a TV series like Skins?
Erm, I don’t know. I don’t really think about my career in the long term that often. It baffles me a bit. I’ve always thought I’ll only take jobs if I like the character or I like the story or it’s a franchise or a director I want to be involved with. There’s got to be something that markets it to me that’s not fame or money. I have to love something about it. The thing is, if you don’t, you’re going to be doing a really bad job of it because there’s no emotional connection.

But don’t actors have to take some jobs to pay the bills?
Yeah. I read an interview — I can’t remember who it was with — but it was an actor who said that he did a couple of really great films, bought a massive house that he didn’t want and he didn’t need, and then spent the rest of his career scrabbling around doing really awful films to try and pay off his house, because he couldn’t afford to live there. I just think that’s really sad. I would rather quit acting than end up in that situation.

If you did quit, what other job would you take up?
I have other passions, like, within the industry. I’m quite interested in being creative. Costume would be something I’d be interested in, and design. And also hair and make-up, just because they’re the fun parts. Directing, I would be interested in. Writing too. But then, aside from the whole industry, I’m really interested in psychology. And people! I’m quite a people-watcher. My area of expertise, I would say, is people and understanding how they work. That helps with acting. My subjects I’m doing in school are psychology, politics, religion and philosophy. It’s all kind of looking at the way people are and how they understand the world. Sorry! I’m getting really deep here.

By Graham Kibble-White

Labels: Brand New , Dakota Blue Richards , entrevistas , interview , Skins season 5