Young actor Ollie Robinson chatted about the movie “The Roses” and working with Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman.
How was your experience in “The Roses”?
I had a really great time filming this project. Not only is it a funny story but I got to work with the best people. The cast was amazing, and we had a really special crew too.
We shot part of the movie in Salcombe, Devon (even though it is set in California) and I was able to go crabbing with my friend Polly (who was part of the sound department) during lunch, hunt for bugs with Benedict and Delaney (my onscreen dad and sister) and explore nature in England.
What did you like most about your character Roy?
Roy is a lot like me at the beginning of the movie. I always describe myself as an “indoor kid” because sports are not my thing. I’d rather eat a bowl of sugary Lucky Charms and play games over running and playing sports any day.
Let’s just say when we had to pretend to be out of breath during some of the running scenes, I didn’t have to do much acting!
Roy is funny, easy going and kind of plays into his mom trying to re-win him over with sweets even though he also loves his dad and wants to make him happy by becoming a super athlete.
What was it like working with Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with a number of great actors throughout my career, but Olivia and Benedict are far and away my favorites.
Benedict would play little games with us between takes while we waited for the cameras to reset, helped me find bugs when we were shooting in the woods and was incredibly kind with his words and time to me.
Olivia went out of her way to help make sure I was comfortable on set. When we were shooting the lice scene, one she wasn’t even in, my close ups were the last shots of the day.
Everyone had wrapped since the camera was only focused on me and even though she didn’t have to be there Olivia came to set and read Benedict and Delaney’s lines so that I would have something to react against when I gave mine.
So, I literally had an Oscar winner having my back and helping me give a great performance. Olivia also came through for me on a really hot day.
There was no air conditioning in the house we were shooting in and when you bring in all of the cameras and lights it got incredibly hot.
I ended up getting heat stroke and actually throwing up between scenes. We then had to shoot a bedroom scene where Ivy comes to wake up Roy and Hattie with sweets.
It was a tiny super hot room, and no one could even fit in the room besides the actors in the scene and necessary crew.
So, Olivia told my mom that she’d take care of me mom to mom. Between takes she would rip the multiple layers of covers of me and fanned me with her script to help keep me cool.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
Tony, the writer, crafted a really funny story that was a lot of fun to bring to life. I realized that sometimes being a free spirit has its limits and that without the right checks and balances life can go awry quite quickly!
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age? (Now with streaming and social media being so prevalent)
I love it. I love social media (everyone please follow my TikTok) and actually filmed a lot of content with my friends on set of the Roses. Shout out to the sound and costume departments who were always down to act crazy and film!
I also love that everyone can now create their own content with fast turnaround. Anyone can tell a story and be a creator, which I think is really freeing.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
My advice for young and emerging actors is to start creating your own content. Never let not having a booking stop you from doing what you love.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
To me, success means getting to do what you love with people you enjoy. Anytime I get to bring a story to life I feel like I am succeeding.
Whether it’s in a big movie like this, on a TV show or just a TikTok video I’m filming with my friends.
Success is something you find within yourself versus a comparison to others. It’s finding your own fulfillment and happiness.
What would you like to say to your fans about “The Roses”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
I would say go see it! Enjoy some of the cool stuff you’ll get to see Roy doing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I did get to do some pretty funny stuff.
I would also say thank you for always supporting me, telling your friends about me and I hope this movie makes you laugh!
To learn more about young actor Ollie Robinson, follow him on Instagram.
