Aspirations, Flaws, and Her Approach to Leadership for a Day—Olivia Cooke Shares Her Perspective

      When I call Olivia Cooke, she’s on vacation with her mother. A stream of warm yellow light pours through a small walnut-stained window onto the white clay wall, creating a gentle glow on her nose and cheeks. She has on a purple vest top, with the strap casually slipping off her shoulder. This is a stark contrast to the layered faux fur coats, numerous belts, and green tights—''I bloody loved those tights,'' she confides—that she wore just days earlier during our cover shoot for the Autumn Issue. Rather than completely disconnecting, she has made time to discuss her work, which in itself speaks volumes. Few would spare an hour during a well-deserved holiday to revert to promotional duties, yet Cooke, 31, handles it effortlessly. It’s not that she takes herself too seriously—quite the opposite—but rather that she takes her craft seriously. This distinction, I quickly realize, is what sets her apart: she is deeply committed yet never self-absorbed. It reflects her journey through the industry to date; she is sharp, refreshingly opinionated, and completely unpretentious.

      These qualities have subtly guided her through over a decade of impressive performances, from early BBC dramas to Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One, and now, the powerhouse that is House of the Dragon. With her latest role in Amazon Prime's new psychological thriller, The Girlfriend, Cooke once again showcases her ability to transcend categorization. ''I really, really loved the script,'' she expresses regarding the six-part series. ''I enjoy anything that explores the British class system—rich and poor—and how that dynamic can be destructive. To see it unfold between two characters who are quite similar, apart from their financial situations and social status, and to delve into the complexities of that relationship, was intriguing for me. While reading the scripts, I found myself really wanting these two characters to become friends… but we live in a society that unfortunately still pits women against each other, which is just so frustrating and unjust.''

      Cooke portrays Cherry, an ambitious estate agent with toughness beneath her glamorous exterior, who forms a relationship with a wealthy man who has a close yet complicated bond with his family, especially his strong-willed mother, Laura. Cherry's ambition is unapologetic; she fights for her place in a world that continually threatens to shut her out. ''She lives in her overdraft and clings to the hope of landing a big deal; selling an upscale property to earn that commission. So, she’s living from paycheck to paycheck, and having caramel sauce spill on a £400 dress she bought to impress her boyfriend’s parents—only to return it the next day—is a big issue for her.'' This class tension—the urgency to prove oneself with no safety net—deeply resonates with Cooke. Having grown up in Oldham, Greater Manchester, she has openly discussed her working-class background and how her accent has served as a marker in the industry. ''Channeling Cherry was incredibly cathartic,'' she reflects. ''All those microaggressions you encounter as someone who may be working-class are often bottled up and swallowed. Experiencing that slight sense of inadequacy, combined with being a woman in an industry that is notably easier for those who attended Eton or another elite school… it was liberating to portray someone like Cherry, who lays her emotions bare and isn’t afraid to vocalize her frustrations. It allowed me to confront my own frustrations in a secure setting.''

      Cherry’s emotions are woven not only into her dialogue but also reflected in her wardrobe. Cooke collaborated closely with the styling and hair teams to manifest this vision. ''Her emotions are always on display, and there's a lot of fire within her,'' she elaborates. ''Thus, the various shades of red in her outfits felt symbolic of that. She’s somewhat of a siren; she presents herself to attract but is also conforming to this higher-class environment. The portrayal needed to have that 'va va voom'.''

      The allure of The Girlfriend largely stems from the dynamic between Cherry and Laura, played by Robin Wright, who directed the first three episodes and served as a producer. Cooke couldn’t resist the opportunity to act alongside Wright. ''I adore her, I think she's incredible,'' she admits candidly. The audition process felt serendipitous. ''We had a quick twenty-minute Zoom, and it was as simple as, 'Yes, I want to do this.' 'Yes, I want you. Great. Let's proceed.''' On set, Wright proved to be remarkably impressive, exceeding Cooke's expectations. ''She delivers an extraordinarily nuanced, heartbreaking performance, and then just shifts gears, asking, 'What lens should we use? Okay, we've captured that shot. Let’s keep going.' I take half an hour to decompress after an emotional scene, and there she is, switching right back into it. Watching her was such an inspiration