FWM: What roles intrigue you?
I love playing strong female roles – the more challenging the role, the more exciting it is to play. I like characters who have some depth and undergo a personal “journey” and experience change in some way, which makes them a different person by the end of the production. I like “bad” characters too – they’re generally fun to play and I always try to find something likeable about them, even if it is something very tiny, otherwise, the audience simply won’t like them either! Psychological drama/thriller is my favorite genre.
FWM: Did your upbringing influence your decision to act?
I grew up in an environment surrounded by film, TV, theater, music, and radio – my family has always been very supportive of the arts. We were always watching or listening to something and I remember becoming totally absorbed in the characters and the story – and I still do! I have always loved inhabiting different people and telling their stories.
FWM: How did you break into the business?
I auditioned and was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study at RADA and Drama Studio London. This training has given me a fantastic grounding, as well as teaching me many different acting techniques and methods. For my first major role, I was cast in the lead role of Emily Hobhouse in “Inside Out” an award- winning BBC TV series. Emily Hobhouse was a human rights activist who uncovered the grim secrets of concentration camps run by the British during the Boer War in South Africa. At the time, she was both celebrated as a heroine in South Africa and forgotten by the UK. It was fascinating to research and play such a controversial and inspiring woman.
“I am proud to be a British actress working in Hollywood. As a true Taurean, I’m extremely hard-working, tenacious and passionate. Never underestimate a Taurus – they’re full of surprises!”
You are an experienced voice artist. What intrigues you?
I love the freedom of voice acting – especially gaming. All you have to work with is your voice. Everything has to be expressed through your voice: tone, pitch, emphasis, volume, accent, pauses – they all “say” so much, even without actual words. The sound you make and the “physicality” of that sound, is so important, as it is the only one of your senses that will really be communicated to your listener. Then, as with any other role, whatever the medium, it’s all about fleshing out the characters and breathing life into them. My favorite projects were a game called “Black Desert” and a new sci-fi radio drama series which will hopefully be released very soon. In both projects, I played a variety of different characters which was great fun to do!
What would Directors notice first about you?
My red hair, positive attitude, and my excellent (natural!) British accent.
Tell us about your new feature film, “Adventure Boyz.” What particularly interested you about this role?
I’m hugely proud of my latest feature film “Adventure Boyz” directed by the wonderful and talented Howard J Ford (“Never Let Go”, “The Dead”). “Adventure Boyz” is being released across the US and Canada from 21st February, following a successful screening at Cannes and a sell-out UK Theatrical release last year, to great critical acclaim – it was the top-rated film on IMDb for a while. The synopsis: “When England’s largest castle is robbed by a notorious crime boss (Jon Campling, Harry Potter’s Death Eater), the last thing he and his criminal gang expected to be up against were two boys on BMX and their speedway racing dad.” I play D C Pierce who is constantly outwitted and outmaneuvered by the two inventive young protagonists. I love the positive message of this film – it’s the world’s first and only movie designed specifically to inspire children to “get off their devices and get out there!” It was a joy to work on.
FWM: What would people be surprised to know about you?
I’m also a highly experienced TV Director having worked for the BBC for many years. I have directed single and multi-camera dramas, both on location and in the studio. I have also directed live studio-based magazine programs, live multi-camera outside broadcasts, documentaries and news bulletins. My favorite program that I directed, was a multi-camera live BBC broadcast based on the BBC TV series “Strictly Come Dancing” – it was a great success!
FWM: Why are you a Formidable Woman?
I am proud to be a British actress working in Hollywood. As a true Taurean, I’m extremely hard-working, tenacious and passionate. Never underestimate a Taurus – they’re full of surprises!
IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.me/sarahmaddocks
Twitter: @SarahMaddocks1 https://twitter.com/SarahMaddocks1
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmaddocks1.actress/
Adventure Boyz Trailer: https://www.adventure-boyz.com
Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/sarahmaddocks
