Clémence Poésy (Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter films) is the 29-year-old French actress who plays married woman, Isabelle Azaire, in Birdsong. She has a passionate affair with Stephen Wraysford (Eddie Redmayne) before he is plunged into the horrors of World War I. TVChoice caught up with Clémence to find out more about what it’s like to be a French actress working on a British production…
How have you found working with British actors?
I always found them to be really helpful, and easy to work with. I had done some acting in France, roles close to how I was at the time, being a young teenager and wearing jeans. It never really felt like acting, more like a hobby. Then, in 2004, I played Mary, Queen of Scots in the BBC mini-series Gunpowder, Treason And Plot. It’s the first memory of being given that trust that created a special thing for me with England. And being given the part of Isabelle in Birdsong felt a lot like that, too.
What do you think of Isabelle?
I loved her. She is someone who has been very unhappy for a very long time. And is trying to find happiness wherever she can — a happiness that’s not in her marriage. She hasn't got many friends. She is a lonely woman. And she has these two children to look after who she loves a lot. And she’s trying to make this house nice. She’s artistic and very close to nature. And open to seeing beauty in small things and is trying to fill her life with that. Then Stephen arrives and all of a sudden she doesn’t need all that — she just needs him.
When such a sexual chemistry happens, it’s like going back to nature, like to the nature of what you are. There’s a description in the book where she says when she is making love to him, she feels like that is what she was made for. And it’s blinding her from her reality because that’s all there is.
How did you find the experience of being on the set, which everyone has described as being very hot and intense?
I arrived after the battle scenes were finished, sadly. It was like two different films. I wish I could have been there in the trenches — I could have helped with the make-up or something.
For Eddie [who plays Stephen] it was quite hard to switch moods — to be young and idealistic after doing the war scenes, because we shot our scenes at the very end. I hadn’t seen him before in uniform or as a soldier. When he arrived in the room he brought the war with him and he was a completely different man — even his face had seemed to change. I don’t know how he did it.
What was the chemistry like between you?
It was great. I don’t know anyone who didn’t get along with Eddie. He has a genuine interest in people. Everyone wanted to talk to Eddie when he arrived on set. He’s a smart, gentle person. Working with him was a real treat.
You are a very 21st-century young woman, but already you have played Mary, Queen of Scots, you are soon to be seen as Queen Isabella in a TV movie of Richard II, and you recently completed a role as Joan of Arc in a movie. Why do you think you are drawn to these roles that take you back in time?
I don’t know why people keep putting me in corsets. It’s nice though. I like it! An actor is only responsible for 20 percent of their work, but what your face looks like, and what you bring out in other people — that perception — that’s a huge thing and you aren’t responsible for that.
The mix of acting in Britain and France — is that by accident or design?
I always feel really lucky to be able to work here. I love working here and I love it here. I live between London and Paris. One of my greatest prides is to be able to make jokes in English! Because it’s the only way you are going to get English people to like you! In Britain no one wants to be your friend if you are not funny. But I love that.
And I love the attitude that people have towards work in the UK. That balance between what I’ve seen in America and seen in France. It’s a very healthy balance, playful but serious, but also fun. I feel very at ease with English crews and English actors.
And also, it's good to act in a language that’s not yours. It gives you a lot of freedom. One of the worst things an actor can do is listen to themselves. If you don’t pay so much attention, you can flow better and you are less self-conscious. Half of my life is English now. Part of me is English. I dream in English. I think in English, too. Though when I am in France I think and dream in French.
Can you tell us a joke?
No! That’s a very French thing, whereas the English thing is more like a constant banter. It’s so good for your mind because it keeps you on your toes all the time. The sense of humour across the Channel is very different.
There are some amazing comedians in France — people who talk about politics in the smartest, funniest ways, or art and philosophy, for hours. It’s something I miss when I’m here. In England you can make a joke and move on.
Back in France, do people think you have become Anglicised?
My agent said someone thought I spoke French with an English accent! I feel very European. I’m from a generation where most have studied one year abroad. The wonderful thing about Europe is that people have been able to travel and discover other cultures. I think my generation all feel more European. What’s great about really getting to know other countries — which you can’t without getting the language properly — is that gives you a lot of healthy distance on your own country. You get to see what works and what doesn’t. You can become very critical of your own country. At the moment, I think England is wonderful but my English friends say, ‘Come on, it’s not that wonderful!’
What are you doing next?
I’m making a movie, Mr Morgan's Last Love, with the legend that is Michael Caine. I’m really excited.
You seem to be working all the time. Are you a workaholic?
No! I played Joan of Arc before Birdsong and the TV movie Richard II and then I had a month off! I do just three things a year. I love taking time off to be lazy!
Clem and Eddie = 
