That is such a good question. That's the best I've had so far today.
So, I became aware of Ruth, aka Notorious RBG,
on social media, like, originally.
Why do you think she continues to be relevant for younger generations?
Well, she has such a punk spirit.
I mean, it seems appropriate to compare her to a rap artist,
with all the dissents that she gives.
She's not scared to express her opinion,
and she has been authentic throughout her entire career,
and she has stuck by those beliefs.
And I think that's why she's enjoying such popularity at the moment,
because we don't have many people in power
who are as true to themselves as she has been continually.
She's such a cool woman.
Fierce, no-nonsense, questioning, a little bit stubborn and hopeful,
who is Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
and what qualities of hers resonate with you the most?
That is such a good question. That's the best I've had so far today.
All of those qualities.
I love that I got to play a woman who is formidable in her career,
cares deeply about what she does,
but also, is deeply in love with her husband.
Her family is very, very important.
And the film is about how she manages to chime professionally,
but also personally.
And she doesn't have to die at the end,
which is very unusual for film history.
There's a positive way of ending it. - Exactly.
Yes, she was a remarkable woman to play.
Her motivation was just so inspiring to watch, as a viewer.
The film made me feel, like, optimistic and confident when I left.
It really builds this desire for change.
You've lived with the story now for a while,
and you've obviously seen, like, public reaction and stuff to it,
but what kind of an affect did it have on you?
It's been fascinating bringing the film into the world,
because I think, as Ruth finds herself,
there is still a resistance, I think, to women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I don't think it is totally plain sailing.
I think it is still very difficult to be a woman in a position of power,
as we're seeing with Theresa May.
I think, again, the key is probably community.
I think that's what was so wonderful about Time's Up,
was bringing people together,
feeling like there's a spirit of collaboration,
and ultimately, it is men and women helping each other,
and I think that's what so important about the film.
It's how do men and women work together
to make gender equality function?
And I think that is ultimately the message,
is that we are stronger together.
Yeah. Basically, we all need to work together
is the message of it, really, isn't it?
So, I was really struck by this quote,
which was repeated a couple of times in the film,
'The courts ought never be influenced by the weather of the day
but the climate of the era.'
So, as a young person, like, seeing the news,
it can be quite overwhelming at times.
What do you make of the current chaos with, like, here and in America?
Are we gonna be okay?
Holy moly.
I think what Ruth has actually always done brilliantly
is to find a way of how do we unite people?
And I think that always has to be the focus,
is that we, ultimately, are stronger together.
And we are in a time when it feels as though
these divisions are becoming more and more entrenched,
and I think it is up to us to fight against that,
and to say, 'No, actually, there is a common way,'
and there is a medium route through things where everyone can be happy.
And that advice I would take from her is the best way to go forward.
She acts as, like, a wonderful reminder of that, actually.
Yeah, and listening.
I think that's what's so important, listening to each other
even when you feel that you're speaking across a divide.
I'm really inspired by Ruth's confidence and self-belief,
that was one of, like, the main things I took away from the film.
How do you work on your own self-belief?
Aw, it's a daily battle.
Aw, gosh, I don't know.
I think it's keeping a sense of humour about yourself,
try not to take yourself too seriously, I think,
and not get too self-conscious as well.
I think it is quite difficult in this time,
where, you know, we are constantly, sort of, aware of image.
Image has become such an important factor in society, and that somehow,
I feel I'm always trying to push against that a little bit.
Because I think being an actor, particularly,
you can't be self-conscious,
you have to push that to one side and try and dig a little deeper
and get to something a little bit more fundamental.
But how you do that is very difficult,
and, I think, a daily battle.
I think it is, I think, keep a sense of humour, good friendships,
and an openness and a curiosity.
No, I couldn't agree any more with what you said there, definitely.
A whole army has, kind of, alluded to this in previous interviews before,
but referring to Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a superhero without a cape,
like, she doesn't need superpowers or a cape to change the world.
How can we adopt more of her fearlessness?
I think not worrying too much about what people think of you is the key.
And I think that's taken her time.
She hasn't got there over night.
As the film shows, she's had so many doors slammed in her face,
she's had so much negativity thrown at her,
but she has just battled on, and she has stuck by her beliefs.
And I think it's understanding that it also takes time,
you know, we don't come out fully formed,
is that we learn through our mistakes, ultimately,
and things not going to plan.
And then you get a little bit tougher along the way, I think.
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