interview by JANA LETONJA
German actress Emily Kusche has steadily established herself as one of the most exciting talents of her generation, building an impressive career across film and television. She first gained recognition through projects such as Tigermilch, Balloon, The Perfect Secret, and Cortex, before captivating audiences with her portrayal of Evelin Kern in the acclaimed series Sløborn. Her international credits include Netflix’s Dogs of Berlin, the action thriller Retribution alongside Liam Neeson, and the Polish-German production Doppelgänger. Having refined her craft at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York and the Giles Foreman Centre for Acting in London, Emily continues to embrace diverse and challenging roles, earning the Best Actress Award in 2025 for her performance in Maria Mutter Gottes. Most recently, she appeared in Bora Dagtekin’s hit comedy Der perfekte Urlaub and took on the lead role in 24,000 Kisses, an intimate short film inspired by the poetry of Shūji Terayama. With several exciting projects on the horizon, including Baby, It’s Cold Outside and The Secret Assistants, we caught up with Emily to discuss her creative journey, the characters that have shaped her, her experiences working internationally, and the stories she hopes to tell next.
coat MASSIMO DUTTI
tights ZIMMERMANN
shoes RALPH LAUREN
You began your acting career at a young age and have already built an impressive body of work. Looking back, what initially sparked your passion for acting, and was there a particular moment when you realized this was what you wanted to pursue professionally?
Looking back, even at quite a young age, I always felt so much joy entertaining people. I remeber that every Sunday I used to prepare a play or some kind of show that me and my sister performed for all our neigbours. Or every birthday I would dress up as the clown and do a comedy show for the whole family. So there definitely was a passion for playing different characters very early on. And when I had my first acting job at 10 years old, and found out that this is actually something people do for a living, I was so suprised and still to this day believe it is the best job in the world. The fact you have a job that does not feel like work but instead brings you such joy, is really fulfilling.
You’ve worked across a wide range of genres, from coming-of-age dramas and psychological thrillers to action films and comedies. What excites you most when choosing a new project, and what makes a character impossible for you to turn down?
I think having the chance to be a part of projects and play characters that are very different from each other is the most interesting and challenging part. For me, when it comes to choosing whether I want to audition for a role or not, I don’t necessarily decide because of a certain genre but more based on the character and story behind it. The most important thing for me is depth to the character and that there is some kind of challenge in portraying that person that makes me curious in the first place. I am also really drawn to a naturalness and rawness that makes a character or story so relatable and intimate. For some reason I am also quite obsessed with dialogue that is extremely well written, where in my opinion less is more. It definitely is something I miss sometimes when it comes to projects that are developed.
Your portrayal of Evelin Kern in Sløborn remains one of your most recognized performances. How did playing the same character over several years influence your growth as an actress, and what did you take away from that experience?
Playing a character like Evelin over 3 seasons was a huge gift for me. Getting the chance to portray a person in so many different scenes and stages of their life not only makes them more accessible for the audience, but also yourself. You constantly find out new things while playing each scene and get to embody such a huge evolution the character is going trough. At the same time I was developing and growing personally in a different way. So the challenge really was about staying true to the character and their individual progress, and focusing on how all the life changing events, that she experiences, influence her behavior and character over so many years.
full look GIORGIO ARMANI
jewellery SWAROVSKI
shoes RALPH LAUREN
Audiences can currently see you in Bora Dagtekin’s comedy Der perfekte Urlaub, which has attracted more than a million cinema-goers in Germany. What drew you to this project, and how did you enjoy exploring the lighter, comedic side of storytelling?
I remember doing a self-tape for the first movie, which was already so much fun because the scene had such a great humor and seriousness at the same time. Especially because I hadn’t done any comedy before, I really enjoyed being part of this movie. When it comes to making people laugh, Bora really is a genius. He has such a specific vision and openness at the same time which makes working with him very interesting. I always had a huge respect for the comedy genre and think it is probably one of the most challenging ones. However, you learn so much about getting out of your comfort zone, timing and playfulness.
You recently also starred in 24,000 Kisses, a short film inspired by a poem by Japanese poet and filmmaker Shūji Terayama, that explores an imperfect, unfinished love story. How did you approach portraying the emotional complexities of a relationship through such an intimate and unconventional narrative?
When I first read the script, I was very intrigued by the unique way that the story is told and I wasn’t quite sure how exactly it is going to turn out. But I think that is what makes it so interesting. There was such a different approach in terms of performing, which felt like an art form itself and was even more intensified by the exceptional camerawork, as well as setting, costume and makeup. It definitely was a challenge to perform with a rather static and precise body language and dialogue that is written as a poem. But it allows so much room for the emotions and story behind the characters and sets a tone that really captures every moment in such an intimate way. There is an absurdness that definitely mesmerizes the audience and also helped me to fully get drawn-in to this world.
You’re also involved in The Secret Assistants, directed by Katey Lee Carson, which is making its way through the international festival circuit. What can you share about your character and the experience of bringing this particular story to life?
In The Secret Assistants, I portray Jane, an ambitious young woman, who has just started her career as a PA in the film industry. She represents the future of the industry and retains the never-ending cycle of power grabbing. Dreaming of becoming a producer, she admires those around her but also sees them as competion. Always observing and looking for opportunities, she is determined to climb the ladder of success, no matter the cost. The film explores the important topic of power, manipulation and the lengths people go to in order to survive and succeed, both within the industry and through the stories presented to audiences. What made bringing that particular story to life so interesting is that much is communicated through silent reactions, revealing the fear, ambition and emotions of those who cannot speak out against the powerful people around them.
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ear cuff SWAROVSKI
Having grown up in Berlin and worked on both German and international productions, how has moving between different film industries and creative environments influenced your perspective as an actress?
I think every set and every team brings a whole different dynamic with them. Whether it is a German or English speaking set, whether it is a big expensive production or a low-budget student film, there is always something you learn and take away from each of those experiences. The more you are exposed to different environments, the more open and better you get at adapting yourself fast to new situations. It definitely helps you become more fearless and learn about your boundaries. In my opinion, I always enjoyed the most being part of projects where it really is about the passion and the team spirit of creating something special. Coming together and believing in something can be extremely inspiring and creates an environment which allows so much playfulness.
You’ve had the opportunity to portray complex characters in emotionally intense stories. How do you prepare for roles that require you to explore difficult emotions, and how do you disconnect from those characters once filming is over?
For me, it is obviously important to learn about my character and backstory as much as I can based on what the script is revealing. But furthermore creating and adding information that might not be given. The goal really is to internalize everything so well that when filming a scene you can really let go and be present in the moment. Listening to your scene partner and reacting based on your instincts has always worked best for me. There is such a special energy in the air when you manage to forget everything around you that eventually you can access all the emotions you need without having to force anything. This also gives you the ability to go in and out of scenes while staying concentrated which helped me a lot when it comes to detaching from a character.
full look DOLCE & GABBANA
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
The entertainment industry can be unpredictable, especially for young actors navigating international opportunities. How do you deal with uncertainty, rejection, and the pressure to constantly move forward?
I think there are good and bad days with those kind of struggles. It is always an up and down, and you need to be aware that it is something that comes with choosing this job. There are so many rejections and the most important thing is to not take them personally. Obviously the disappointment of not getting a part is not just going to disappear with time, but you need to trust yourself and believe that eventually there will be opportunities for you. It really is about getting up after a setback, trying to improve every day and not taking everything too serious. There is always something you can learn, so I really try to constantly get new input, whether it is by participating in acting courses or just watching movies. Every audition and all the feedback is a chance to discover new things. It happens to me quite often that I get to the last round of an audition, but don’t get the part in the end. However, you still got to work with the director or got to know a new casting director who might suggest you for a different project, so there is always something you take away. I also believe it is important to focus on other activities or hobbies that might interest you and create an environment around you that not only revolves around the film industry.
suit BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
coat MAX MARA
When you’re not working on a film or preparing for a role, what helps you feel grounded and creatively inspired? Are there any interests or passions outside acting that people might be surprised to learn about?
Last year, I started a distance-learning degree in psychology which is something I was always interested in. When you are not working constantly, I really missed learning new things also outside of acting. And now that I study psychology, it really helps creating a routine during breaks and challenges me. At the same time there is connection between psychology and acting that is actually quite interesting and useful. I also love doing simple physical things that don’t require much thinking, like rearranging my furniture or decorating my apartment. I try to work out quite regularly and love playing tennis. For the past two years, I have learned some Spanish and would also love to become more fluent in another language like French.
As you look toward the next chapter of your career, what excites you most about the opportunities ahead, and what would you love audiences to discover about you through your future work?
I really look forward to all the opportunities that the future will bring and hope to be part of new great projects. I am very interested in everything that our generation is going to create because there are so many amazing young filmmakers out there. Just working with people who love what they do and always staying curious is very important to me. Also getting the chance to be part of more international projects is something that would really excite me. I want to create moments that resonate with people and inspire them to see things differently, leaving a lasting impression. Also reminding other young actors to embrace the unexpected, believe in their individuality and find humor even in challenging moments.
dress and bag FENDI
belt PHIX
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
TEAM CREDITS:
talent EMILY KUSCHE
photography RUBEN NICOLAS MEIER
styling RIDVAN CAVUS
hair and make-up FABIENNE HOPPE
production ALINA SANDER
