SHE’S THE NAME ON EVERYONE’S LIPS. LONGLISTED FOR A BAFTA BEST ACTRESS AWARD AND BAFTA RISING STAR NOM, AND ALREADY THE RECIPIENT OF A BIFA GONG – 26-YEAR-OLD TALENT MIA MCKENNA-BRUCE HAS MADE THE TYPE OF MOVIE THAT DEMANDS ATTENTION, AND NOT JUST FOR ITS SCENES OF PURE NOSTALGIC GENIUS. HOW TO HAVE SEX, IN WHICH SHE PLAYS THE CHARACTER OF TARA, IS A GIDDY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, AND SUN-FILLED TEEN COMING-OF-AGE STORY, WHICH HAS INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO MIA AS ITS BREAKOUT STAR.
YOU’LL HAVE SEEN THE BRITISH ACTRESS AS TEE TAYLOR IN TRACY BEAKER RETURNS AND ITS SPINOFF THE DUMPING GROUND, AND IN THE WITCHER, FANTASY HORROR SERIES VAMPIRE ACADEMY, AND IN NETFLIX’S JANE AUSTEN ADAPTATION PERSUASION. WELL NOW MCKENNA’S HAVING HER BIG MOMENT, BALANCED WITH ALSO RAISING HER FIRST CHILD, AND AS A MOTHER AND PERFORMER, SHE’S A FORCEFIELD FOR SELFHOOD AND AN ARTIST WHO CHALLENGES, DRAWN TO FUTURE ROLES WHICH MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES.
Full look Jacquemus
So, Mia, first off, we must discuss your sequinned-covered baby bump on the Croisette back in May last year. Also, that standing ovation for How to Have Sex, and all the awards and now the exciting noms! Where was your mind at that point, as it must have been crazy having these major moments in your life happening all at once?
Pure insanity. Honestly that all felt like a movie in itself. I have dreamed of moments like this for the longest time, we all had, so we just wanted to make sure we were not taking any of it for granted and just having the best time. I think I’m still processing it all now!
This film’s been hailed as your breakout moment – and it comes at a time when the subject of women, sex and consent have never been more on the agenda. When you got the script, did you have an idea of how you would like to embody the character’s journey through the fragility of coming-of-age and entering womanhood?
When I first got the script, I wanted to do it because I knew how important this story was. I would have benefited from a film like this, and seeing how truthful director Molly’s writing was, really excited me. So that was the main thing for me from the get-go, I just wanted to be as honest as I could in playing Tara - which meant being super open and vulnerable. We worked hard during a rehearsal process at the beginning to really get to know these characters, their back stories and what makes them so relatable to so many people, we wanted people to watch the film and feel seen and see themselves reflected in some way.
Left Full look Zadig&Voltaire
Right Top, shorts and shoes Miu Miu, socks Falke
“I just wanted to be as honest as I could in playing Tara - which meant being super open and vulnerable.”
Well, the film explores director Molly [Manning Walker’s] own personal experiences. What’s been the response so far from girls and women who have similar stories to tell, as your character Tara’s – have many felt they’re never been confident to talk about them. Has it become more obvious that it was so important to make this film?
Definitely. So many people have said that seeing the film has given them the space to talk about what they went through or has helped them process things that they didn’t even know they were feeling. A lot of people have said they feel so seen by Tara, it’s a film you walk away from and want to talk about with your friends - which is a good thing of course. With the response that we’ve had I think it really goes to show the need for films like this.
You mention you would have benefited from a film like this in your own teen years too. Do you think sex education in schools should move from the biological side to a conversation about consent and safe sex for the post #MeToo generation?
Yes, I do wish we had more films like this. Just in a way to encourage teens to talk more and be more empathetic towards each-other. I think it’s so easy in your teens to become very self-absorbed and forget how much your actions can impact others, so I think seeing that played out on screen is important. I do also think it’s vital we moved forward from just the biological side of sex education, otherwise we are encouraging young people to figure out consent and sex on their own, potentially through other means.
As a new Mum yourself and having your little boy, obviously I’m going to ask if you’ve instantly found yourself thinking about what type of society he’s being raised in – especially with young teen boys scarily taking cues from people like the self-proclaimed “misogynistic influencer” Andrew Tate?
Oh, for sure. I think for us it’s just very important to being completely open with our son about these things. Our family is very woman heavy, so he’ll have a lot of positive female influences and I’d then want to encourage him to have conversations with his friends to hopefully share those positive influences.
So, getting back to the film’s theme, when was your own first teenage, all-girls’ holiday, do you have any memories or secrets from it that you would like to share with the world now about having the “Best! Holiday! Ever!”?
I think I had my first girls’ holiday when I had just turned 18. I fell out with a group of girlfriends from school because they all booked to go on their holiday without me while I was on a job. I was very sad ha-ha, just goes to show how much of a rite of passage these holidays are. I felt completely abandoned!
Left and right Dress Giorgio Armani, shoes N21, bracelets Sweet Lime Juice
Well, you shot everything in Malia, in Greece, which is always full of party-buzzing rites of passage-seeking young Brits! Did filming ever overlap with any real clubbers, boozed up looking for a kebab shop?
Yeah! So, shooting the party scenes did slightly overlap with the end of the season so we had a few real-life party goers, which was crazy watching life imitate art. We were filming in a chip shop and three girls came in and started eating the props.
And I’m imagining that some of the prep for this role didn’t involve downing a bottle of Ouzo, so how did you get the act of looking totally plastered down to a fine art? It looks like you all had a lot of fun making the film!
Ha-ha! Honestly the main thing was we were just very hyper! And we used to spin around in circles before action was called so that we felt dizzy!
Left Full look Miu Miu
Right Full look Isabel Marant
“So many people have said that seeing the film has given them the space to talk about what they went through or has helped them process things that they didn’t even know they were feeling.”
The clubbing style in this film is spot on too. Was there direction in terms of how they wanted your character Tara to dress, or were you able to have your own input with her wardrobe too?
So, George Buxton (the costume designer) is just amazing and first and foremost wanted us all to feel comfortable. But particularly for Tara, like when she starts wearing Skye’s clothes, they wanted the outfits to be slightly “ill- fitting” so we could tell they weren’t her own! They also used colours to represent different things - like orange was a danger colour.
You’re obviously into fashion off-screen too. What’s your style go-to and which designer (if they’re reading this, free clothes, you’re welcome), would you love to be a muse for?
Am I?! I’ll take that ha-ha! I’m very much for comfort always, and you’ll usually find me in a tracksuit! I love TALA for day-to-day stuff.
Well as this film also depicts, fashion and music are always a perfect pairing. So, harking back to your hedonistic teen soundtracks, what was the first album that really spoke to you?
Don’t laugh at me. Bratz Rock Angelz.
Ok, we’ll move on quickly! I read that you grew up in Southeast London, but I don’t know what kind of upbringing you had. What kind of London girl were you and were you a wannabe child star, or was there a pushy parent shoving you on stage, as your first acting role was as a ballet girl in the Billy Elliot musical in London?
It definitely wasn’t a pushy parent situation. None of us had any clue about the industry and I just started dance lessons at a local dance school in New Eltham as a way to expel energy! I knew I enjoyed performing for people but didn’t really register that I could do it as a career!
Right Full look Isabel Marant
Right Shirt, skirt and shoes Fendi, socks Falke
And what kind of London girl are you now? And has your work ethic changed a bit, balancing motherhood with acting?
I think balancing the two has made me more relaxed! Weird I know. But somehow motherhood so far has given me a lot more faith in myself, and also, I have more to think about than just work now, a tiny human is dependent on me.
But is there an actor or director that you’re like, “Before I die, I wish to work with this person?”
Kate Winslet!
What about a genre you really want to try out?
I’d love to give action a go at some point, I think. I love the idea of doing stunts!
Well you’re having a massive moment, or whatever longer than a moment is. This is your time, shall we say? So, what’s your next move?
Thank you so much! I feel very excited and very grateful. My next move, hmm, hopefully to get to continue telling stories that make a difference to people.
Left Full look Zadig&Voltaire
Right Full look Fendi
Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA until 12pm GMT on Friday 16th February 2024. The winner will be announced at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 18th February 2024. How to Have Sex is available on MUBI now.
Interview by Kate Lawson
Photography by Bruno McGuffie
Fashion by Steven Huang
Make-Up by Francesca Angelina Brazzo at The Wall Group using Giorgio Armani Makeup
Hair by Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Drybar
Photographer’s assistant Oskar Sinicki
Stylist’s assistant Damini Regal
