YOU MAY RECOGNISE BRITISH ACTRESS ELLA-RAE SMITH FROM NETFLIX’S THRILLER THE STRANGER, IN WHICH SHE PLAYED THE CHARACTER OF DAISY, ALONGSIDE HER OTHER APPEARANCES AS NIX IN INTO THE BADLANDS, PHOEBE PARKER-FOX IN BBC’S TV THRILLER SERIES, CLIQUE, AND ISLA IN THE INDIE FILM SWEETHEART. NOW SHE’S REIGNING AS QUEEN SARETH, THE POWERFUL MONARCH OF A GALACTIC EMPIRE, IN APPLE TV+’S SCI-FI EPIC FOUNDATION. WE CHATTED WITH THE RISING YOUNG TALENT ABOUT DRESSING AS A QUEEN, VS DRESSING FOR A MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Left Coat and dress **N°21**, earrings **Valentino**
Right Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

You’re appearing in season 2 of Foundation on Apple TV+ – had Foundation been on your radar before you joined; had you seen the first season?
Foundation had been on my radar for a few years as I’d auditioned for a role in season one. It was only after I got the role of Queen Sareth that season one began airing, so I was watching it with the rest of the world alongside getting ready to join the cast.

Queen Sareth as a character is such a positive and relatable force for women, particularly in how she’s confident, fearless and intelligent, and also not afraid to show her vulnerability and emotions. What was it like to play such a powerful monarch?
I loved playing Queen Sareth, she is so well written and the journey she goes on is tough but ultimately really rewarding. It was really interesting to approach the idea of entering an arranged marriage with someone you feel is your enemy and I love how she manages to resolve the situation. The way she leads as a monarch is a complete contrast to Brother Day; he has always known he would be in charge and is actively seeking to prolong that rather than pass it to the next in line. Sareth did not expect to rule her own planet, let alone theirs! Where Day chooses violence and aggression, she chooses to listen and show compassion. They’re a terrible match. I hope audiences will root for her and feel satisfied with how the series ends for her.

Well, her introduction to the empire brings a fresh perspective on motives and power dynamics. What are her true intentions in having a biological baby with Brother Day? Can you enlighten us?
Sareth actually isn’t interested in having Day’s baby, that and the marriage are very much his desires. Before meeting her, his expectation is a passive bride who will mother his children... He doesn’t even question whether or not any of this is something she wants. In choosing her as his bride he attempts to take her power, to reduce her to a body that will create his heirs. Without spoilers, she works to regain power in a very interesting way. It’s a situation where for her own safety, she allows him to believe he is in control which in some ways mirrors the relationship between Day and Demerzel.

Left Dress and shoes **Isabel Marant**, jewellery **Sweetlimejuice**
Right Full look **Valentino**

So how else did you prepare for the role?
I don’t often have specific preparation techniques per se, I just read the scripts, delve into the imaginary world, and begin crafting my character based on what I can learn from the script and conversations with the other creatives. I think my main element of preparation going into any role is relaxing into my new surroundings, being comfortable in my workspace. Feeling safe, forming positive working relationships and friendships with my colleagues allows me to do my best work. I guess psychologically, it allows me to be more vulnerable in my work when I know people have my back.

I imagine the costumes, hair and make-up all helped you to transform into character and embody the role of Queen Sareth too? Do you have a favourite look?
Absolutely! My favourite look is a one shoulder sky blue gown printed with a cloud-like pattern that was crafted in silk and floated in the air as I walked. It was my last costume to be made and I can remember the first fitting, it was honestly the same level of excitement as trying on a wedding dress. I was blown away by the artistry of the dress. The magnificently talented seamstress Emma Reeve, who previously worked in couture, worked on all my pieces and her craftsmanship is impeccable. I’m so grateful to her and our costume designer Jane Petrie for creating the most beautiful costumes I’ve ever worn.

What was the dynamic like on set between you and other cast members? Did working with people like Lee Pace and Laura Birn inspire you in terms of evolving as an actor, learning new things and improving your craft?
In its essence acting is reacting, so working with super talented actors only makes my job easier. Finding yourself suspended in a moment which in actuality is imaginary, but you are both so deeply committed to existing within it, feels like electricity. You know the shape of the scene, but when you’re both living in it like that you have the ability to surprise each other and respond accordingly. It’s like emotional ping pong. I felt that working with both Laura Birn and Lee Pace; they are incredible actors, and both were an absolute joy to work with.

Do you have any personal highlights from being on set?
Throughout my career I’ve worked in a lot of really cold places, but Foundation saw me in much warmer locations. It was dreamy being outdoors in the sun between setups with my cast mates, chatting and drinking iced coffees. Though saying that, the built sets in studios were also insane. The palace on Trantor, the mural and Sareth and Day’s bedroom are all full-scale sets. My favourite thing was the dining table which was beautifully laid with an intricate space styled feast.

What do you hope for your character in future seasons… maybe we’ll see your home planet, Cloud Dominion?
No spoilers... but I would love to see Cloud Dominion. I love the idea of a Queendom run by Sareth, I imagine it would be a complete contrast to Empire. Also, from a production design perspective, based off the season two costumes and makeup, I think the planet itself would look magical - I see it as something like flying above clouds at sunset. But those are my imaginings - not a reality!

Left Shirt **Isabel Marant**, necklace **Dries Criel**
Right Coat and dress **N°21**, earrings **Valentino**, shoes **Miu Miu**

You had a fantastic imagination as a child too, as I read that you liked to create imaginary worlds and dramas with your dolls – was acting a dream career for you then?
Before I discovered acting, writing was my favourite thing. I think ultimately, I have a love for storytelling in all forms; song lyrics, novels, my friends explaining in great detail some crazy thing that’s happened in their lives. My Barbie and Bratz dolls were basically living in a soap opera, with the singular Ken likely being the main source of their drama. I feel like most of my childhood was spent in my imagination; with dolls, playing make believe with my friends and writing stories. Aside from the dolls, not much has changed.

Is there a specific genre you’d like to explore?
I’ve been a huge Wes Anderson fan for years (my fave is The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) so working with him is my ultimate dream. Greta Gerwig, of course. I love her and Noah Baumbach’s writing, specifically their work together on Frances Ha. But I have a very long list of dream directors that I’d love to work with: Amma Asante, Steve McQueen, Barry Jenkins, Jonathon Entwistle, Ben Sharrock, Damien Chazelle, Bar Lurhman and Joe Wright.

I’d love to do a musical too. I can’t think of anything better than singing and dancing all day long. I’m by no means a trained musical theatre performer, I’m just a huge fan of musicals and I know I would love the process. I’d also love to do something historical; I would really enjoy deep diving into research on something or someone.

You’re also a writer I was told – what stories do you like to tell and what’s your process? Will there be a new release soon?
I’ve been secretly scribbling away at some ideas, though I’m not sure if or when I’ll share them with the wider world. I’ve always written in different forms and even though I’ve been reading scripts for years, it’s only recently that I’ve begun writing them myself. I think the overarching theme of all my stories is my humour and tone. I’m a 1998 baby, just on the cusp of Gen Z, so I hope my voice is relatable to that audience in particular.

Well, audiences will also know you from those familiar Rimmel, ‘Live the London look!’ ads, as you’ve modelled for many brands too. You were born in Bristol, but you live in London now, so what’s your London look then, are you into style and do you prefer red carpet/night out or casual?
I left Bristol and came to London when I was seventeen and spent two years in-between in Brighton. I love all three cities, but Bristol will always feel like home. I love how anonymous you feel in London and how no matter how long I live here, I’ll never know every corner of it. But Bristol... Bristol is just so much fun. Not to mention its proximity to the South Coast, Dorset and Devon and Cornwall. I recommend a trip to anyone who hasn’t been!

As for my wardrobe, it’s an eclectic mix of both. I sort of collect clothes, so I have lots of unique special occasion pieces in my wardrobe and then my day-to-day tomboyish style, usually completed with a pair of Dr Martens. I also have to divide my wardrobe between what’s dog friendly and not - I’ve had too many pale trousers muddied and delicate jumpers snagged over the years!

I saw on your IG stories that you went to the Womad festival this year. In a time when young people feel more fragile, do you think music festivals help to restore hope, joy and spread love and support to everybody?
My family and I have been going to WOMAD since I was little. My earliest memory of going is wading through thick sticky mud to watch Nile Rogers & Chic with my mum. I think musical festivals create a sense of freedom that can be hard to find in normal life - they are essentially adult playgrounds where a collection of likeminded people gathers to dance, eat and laugh before going back to their individual lives. They definitely restore joy and spread love; besides I much prefer dancing outdoors than indoors!

It’s impossible to think of festival style of course without thinking of the Glasto days of Kate Moss or Alexa Chung. What’s your vibe then, the look we’ll all be talking about and trying to copy years from now…?
I have to say, I pick function over fashion at festivals. A bumbag and comfortable shoes are essential, but my outfit choices are heavily weather dependent. If the sun is out, then I’ll be putting thought into styling my craziest and most colourful clothes, but if the English weather turns and the heavens open, then it’s survival mode: wellies and waterproofs all the way!

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Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Ho Hai Tran

Fashion by Steven Huang

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Hair by Stefan Bertin

Make-Up by Emily Wood

Set Design by Tom Hope

Photographer’s assistant Josh Hippolyte

Stylist’s assistant Niamh Mannion