Victoria Yeates

We had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely and talented Victoria Yeates who can be seen returning to the role of Bunty in the next instalment of the FantasticBeastsfilmseries,FantasticBeasts:TheSecretsofDumbledore.

Victoria is an absolute delight and a joy to watch on screen. Readers might remember her in the previous Fantastic Beasts film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes ofGrindlewaldaswellasherworkasSisterWinifredinBBC'sCalltheMidwife thatwouldgenuinelysacrificethemselves.Show what true love really is, which is truly wanting what’s best for someone. In that truth, and honesty of her person lies enormous courage and strength, that isn’t at first obvious. I like to playarchetypesthataren’tthenormalhero.It’s definitely more of a challenge as an actor. You haven’t got a character that can show off You have to just stay truthful and allow all that inner life to shine out and trust it will without pushing.

In conversation with Viewties, the beautiful actress reveals Bunty's adventures this year, the connection between her and her character and much more about the excitingwizardingworldwealllove!

V: You’re returning to your role of Bunty in the next instalment of Fantastic Beasts film series, we had an introduction to her in the second film, but now we’ll see more of her as a big part of the plot. So, what was your impression of the script when you read about your character’s adventure going into this third instalment?

VICTORIA: I always knew when joining the franchise that Bunty was going to expand and developoverthenextfourfilms.So,whenIsaw thescript,Iwasdelightedtoseeherinabigger role and see her grow in confidence and step out of the shadow of the basement! I always think it’s interesting when you see an unassuming character step into their own and show what they are made of. Often, it’s the unshowy personthathasrealstrength.

V: You are a fan of the Harry Potter’s series, so as a fan of the books and the franchise, how does it feel to be a part of its world?

VICTORIA: Harry Potter is part of our DNA now Especially being British it’s something I think we are all really proud of. I grew up seeing my favourite actors in Harry Potter, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Maggie Smith to name afew.So,it’sadreamcometruetojointhemin thisincrediblelineage.

V: Is your character, Bunty, everything you wanted to play in a character from the wizarding world?

VICTORIA:IthinkthatBuntyisuniqueandit’s exciting to play someone with so much hidden to unfold It leaves her with a lot of space to developandshowmanymorefacetstoherthat areunseen,sointhatrespectyes.

V: Which are the things you like about Bunty?

VICTORIA: I like that Bunty is pure of heart, whichishardtofindinthisworld.Someone...

V: The job that Bunty does, is a job you could do, do you think? What would you find hardest?

VICTORIA:Mmmm…

I do love animals! It’s hard graft though what she does. And we mustn’t forget some of those animals can be a tad frightening! I definitely wouldn’t have accepted unrequited love for eightyearsthat’snotmeatall!

V: Let’s talk about your preparation to get into character now. What was your source of inspiration to base Bunty on? How did you approach her?

VICTORIA: Judy Parfitt told me to just keep readingthescriptandletitsitwithyou.Readit again and more and more comes, it grows and builds. Normally with a character I can hear them, feel them and have an intuitive sense of who they are. I would then use Stanislavski technique. Look at what people say about my character, the given circumstances, the internal and external obstacles. I also love Meisner so luckily, I was working with actors who really stay present with you and give you everything evenwhenit’syourtake(whichisn’talwaysthe case). You then just have to trust that the character is in you when you step on set and listenandstaypresent.ForthefirstmovieIgot to go and spend a day with the real life Mazoologists at Regents Park Zoo which was immenselyhelpful.

V: What was it like acting on set with the green screen using your imagination? Is it more difficult for actors to respond to what’s invisible?

VICTORIA: I actually don’t find the green screen difficult. Everything is imaginary really onasetwithallthehustleandbustle.Oftenyou have to use a green dot on camera as an eyeline so not much of a stretch to jump to green screen!Ienjoyit Also,thepuppeteersaresoincredible that you can completely suspend your disbelief with them. The subtle way they move theanimalsreallybringsthemtolife.

V: We saw a little bit of Newt and Bunty interaction in the second film, how would you describe their dynamic in this third one?

VICTORIA:InthisfilmNewtreallyhastotrust Bunty. And you can see that he does. They have worked for with each other for eight years so have spent a lot of time together Newt is socially awkward, but you would still have an unspoken connection with someone you would work that closely with. He trusts her fully I think,andherloyaltyisobvious.

V: The cast is super talented, and they all seem very nice people too. What’s been the best about sharing the screen with them?

VICTORIA: I mean, wow where to start. So incredibly talented When you are working with actors this accomplished everything else becomeseasy.Everyoneonthatset,crewincluded, are the best in the business. I enter situations likethisasaspongeandwatch,learnandsoakit allup.

We all also became such good friends it really felt like a theatre company. We all hung out in between takes and there was a lot of laughing andsharing.

V: We saw you performing a variety of interesting characters, so I was wondering, what types of roles are you looking to play in the future?

VICTORIA: My normal personality is very far from Sister Winifred and Bunty. I mean my first stagerolewasJeanHarlow!AtthemomentIam attractinglotsofstrongwomen,moreboisterous and adventurous. I have a brilliant film coming up which is a psychological drama about a fractured relationship I am very ready to step back into incredibly different parts. And bring the varied roles I have played in theatre to the screen.ThatwaswhyIbecameanactorforthat variationandversatility.

V: Last question, as my nationality is Argentinian, I’m curious to ask you if you have ever seen or experienced any type of art/culture from Argentina?

VICTORIA:MymainconnectiontoArgentinais tango! I started dancing tango at RADA and beingatrainedballetdancerreallytooktoit.What a strong powerful and sensual dance. My aunt alsomarriedanArgentinian,somycousinsspent alotoftimegrowingupinBuenosAiressohave always felt linked in that way too. It’s a place thatIcannotwaittovisit