Kerry Condon on Drawing Inspiration from “Trainspotting” for the Upcoming “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” and the IRA Drama “In the Land of Saints and Sinners”: It’s Extremely Daring

Kerry Condon is returning to her home country of Ireland for her next film role. She won a BAFTA (and received an Oscar contender) for her performance as Colin Farrell’s loving but misanthropic sister in Martin McDonagh’s darkly comedic drama “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

 

Robert Lorenz’s Irish Western “In the Land of Saints and Sinners,” which premieres on Netflix this Friday, is set during the height of the Troubles in the mid-1970s. The actress forgoes grace in order to play a tough, ruthless, extremely potty-mouthed, and violent IRA gang leader who is trying to hide out in rural Donegal after a deadly pub bombing. She soon encounters Liam Neeson, however, whose persona as a reserved widow and used book salesman conceals a covert existence as a local hitman for the town gangster in Colm Meaney’s film. The two finally engage in a firefight in a classic Irish bar, exchanging punches, gunfire, and shattered pints of Guinness, just like in any decent Western.

Speaking over Zoom from her farm for rescued horses just outside of Seattle, Washington, Condon said she never planned to go back home so soon for another movie. However, it was impossible to pass up the chance to portray someone so deliciously terrifying and make her first appearance with Neeson.

“In the Land of Saints and Sinners” opens in the middle of the actress’s busiest time of year. She just got back from Abu Dhabi, where she was filming scenes for Joseph Kosinski’s untitled Formula One action drama for Apple TV+. Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton (who also produces) are among the all-star ensemble cast members playing racing engineers in the film. She will star with Jude Law in the family-friendly space spinoff series “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” onDisney+ later this year. She is also soon leaving to shoot a supporting part in another feature picture.

Though the amount of work is undoubtedly increasing after “Banshees,” Condon said she is very aware of not wanting to take on too much and is just going to be on “film sets” rather than her property with her cherished horses. She tells Variety that she has to go outside because “otherwise I feel kind of sad.”

How was it to portray an IRA warrior who was vicious, brutal, homicidal, and foul-mouthed?

Everything started after we had wrapped up shooting “Banshees” and I was back in Los Angeles, considering returning to Ireland to reprise the role. Usually, I try to vary things up since I don’t want to focus on one item too much. But I didn’t mind since the portion was so fantastic. It was great fun to think of ways to be ominous and frightening, and to be the kind of people you get worried around and who, generally after a few drinks, turn on you when you say anything. All I wanted to do was draw on it. Being little, I had to think of other methods. Begbie from “Trainspotting” also provided me with some inspiration. Even though he’s not the largest person, you’re terrified of him.

Was this Liam Neeson-starring picture your first?

Yes. And it was “Schindler’s List” that had made me want to collaborate with him. I recall the release date of it. That an Irish person could go that far, that they could get that movie and then be nominated for it, was very encouraging to me when I wanted to be an actor. He was, in a sense, a North Star. However, since we’re still getting to know one another, we don’t have many scenes together.

However, a very spectacular gunfight ensues. Is it a fantasy of every actor to engage in combat with Liam Neeson on film at some point?

Since the action genre is so much fun, I could definitely understand how someone might get addicted to it as I was working on it. In fact, I was thinking about it as I went along. It brought back memories of playing peekaboo with my brother when I was little. However, learning how to use a camera proved to be rather more difficult. It’s not as easy as you may imagine. It goes without saying that you cannot blink each time you fire.

And for that shoot-out to take place in an authentic Irish bar… It’s comparable to “Banshees,” but considerably more brutal.

Yes, I am aware! Getting to bash the beer goblet… My ability to do it was limitless.

“Banshees” was undoubtedly a big hit. Although you had done a lot previously, was it the first time you had been entangled in the full awards season circus?

Indeed, in full. I still believe I made a lot of blunders when I reflect on the past. But everything occurred really quickly. It was actually like this domino after it had its Venice debut; all you had to do was keep up with it. I was also filming a “Star Wars” television series at the time. I continued to shoot it and promote the picture till January [2023]. That was difficult. I was in this fantastic TV program and this other thing I was in was taking, so it was an amazing gift, but I was bollocks. I spent months living off of cooked eggs and bananas because I was so busy. It was crazy. But when I questioned Colin [Farrell], I said, “Wow, this is how your life is? Is this how things always seem to go for you? “No, this is a new experience,” he said. Therefore, even he sensed it.

What was it like to have “Banshees” seen by many in Hollywood as your breakthrough role, despite the fact that you had been performing for the last 20 years on stage and screen?

Well, I’ll accept it! I’m grateful. It doesn’t bother me if it takes 25 years to get to this point where everyone believes I’m just getting started. Since I feel like I’m just getting warmed up anyhow.

You have a few major tasks coming up. How is the F1 movie starring Joseph Kosinski going?

It’s been fantastic. I’ve been studying every aspect of Formula One and engineering. I’m making an effort, but math and physics were not my favorite subjects. I can sort of relate to it since my dad did have a garage when I was growing up. However, since I like planning, and because Joseph is so incredibly organized, everything has gone extremely well. Since an F1 team consists of so many individuals, it is an ensemble piece. But, as I said, I bring the intelligence.

Additionally, you claimed that you were filming Disney+’s “Skeleton Crew,” a “Star Wars” series. It seems to be the subject of much enthusiasm.

It’s very amazing. Even without children, I would pay to see this. I loved it. I had a great time riding it. There was something really charming, carefree, and innocent about it. Some advise against working with children or animals, but I’m not sure about that. Furthermore, kids that are talented performers are very extraordinary. Thus, it was incredible to observe some of the kid-oriented sequences. It stars Jude Law, with whom I have previously collaborated. But each episode has such a wonderful director—Bryan Dallas Howard, Lee Isaac Cheung, David Lowery—and it’s extremely experimental. That was a very incredible bunch. Naturally, Jon Watts is the creator of the whole affair.

Although “Skeleton Crew” was filmed prior to “Banshees,” as you said, did a lot of work follow? Does it make a difference to be involved in the awards season, win a BAFTA, and get an Oscar nomination? How did that experience go?

Yes, a ton of scripts are received. However, you find yourself in a different situation where you must decide what to do. After that, you have to Zoom with these folks and view all these videos. You have a ton of homework because you want to read every script that is presented to you and give it careful thought. That’s been challenging, so I’ve asked a number of performers who have achieved more success than I have, “How do you navigate? How do you decide what to accomplish? And each person has a unique response. Therefore, I’m not sure whether there is a proper formula.

However, there is also a part of me that is acutely aware of how much I like my spare time. I really must spend time in the outdoors. Otherwise, I’m a little depressed. I have to acknowledge that although I do want to work, I don’t want to spend five years living off of film sets and my horses becoming older and less likely to see me. Individuals who are parents show consideration for their kids. I believe that I can apply this similar thinking to my personal life as well. It seems significant to me.

Which animals live on your farm?

Horses – all of them! additionally a cat. A canine. plus six hens.

In relation to animals, do you have any information on the well-being of Jenny the dwarf donkey, the protagonist of “Banshees”?

I am aware that she is retired and resides in an area like my property. She’s just going about her life. Additionally, Martin [McDonagh] sometimes sends along a photo he took of her. When we originally received her, she was little, but now she’s grown larger.