IN CONVERSATION WITH JULIE CULLEN

interview by JANA LETONJA

Scottish actress Julie Cullen is on the brink of a defining moment. This April, she stepped into what many are calling her breakthrough role in Half Man, the highly anticipated BBC/HBO drama from Emmy-winning Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd. With Half Man already named one of the most anticipated shows of the year, Julie is poised for a powerful ascent.

Half Man has already been named one of the most anticipated series of the year. What was your first reaction when you read the script?

That I couldn’t stop reading. Richard has again written an incredible script, and I couldn’t put it down once I’d started. I was so invested in the characters and knew I really wanted to be a part of it. 

Your character plays a pivotal role in Niall’s emotional unravelling. How would you describe her influence on his life?

I think Joanna almost acts like Niall’s moral compass, which I take great pride in within the show. I’m in a really cool position where I don’t actually know how the show ends, as I haven’t read episodes 4 to 6, so I can’t speak for her influence in the future. We get to see her grow throughout episodes 2 and 3, and she becomes an incredibly brave character who speaks out regardless of the backlash she might get. In doing so, Joanna really helps Niall do the right thing in his younger years.

The story spans from the 1980s to the present day. How did you approach embodying a character who creates an impact that stretches across decades?

Once again, Richard’s writing is so brilliant that Joanna really jumped off the page for me. I feel we had a lot of similarities, which made her easier to grasp. I didn’t really allow myself to think of the impact that she had on Niall and how pivotal she is for his choices, as I don’t really think Joanna is fully aware of that either. She is just working on instinct and doing what is right. It is only now, looking back at the grand scheme of the show, that I realise how great of a responsibility that is, and how lucky I am to have got to do that on set.

full look A JANE

Richard Gadd’s work often explores vulnerability and discomfort with brutal honesty. What was it like collaborating with him on set?

Richard knows what he wants and is very dedicated and hard-working. Being part of the production of Half Man was honestly an amazing experience, especially with this being my first supporting role in something. To be around these incredibly talented people on and off camera was a joy.  

Half Man delves into memory, trauma, and fractured identity. How do you protect yourself when working with such emotionally charged material?

Before filming even started, we had a Zoom call with the entire cast and crew to talk about dealing with the emotionally charged material, so having that support from the get-go really helped to make you feel safe on set. On a personal level, however, it was always checking in with scene partners after vulnerable scenes. I was extremely lucky to have worked with an incredible cast and crew who really were always there for one another.

This role is being described as your breakthrough. Does it feel like a turning point to you?

It definitely feels like a shift for sure and something I am extremely proud to be a part of.  It feels like I have been waiting for a while now for someone to take a chance on me, and this feels like the best chance I could have. Whether or not it’s a breakthrough, however, I guess it's up to how people perceive the show and Joanna, but I hope they like her. 

bra VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
jeans REFORMATION
boa SIOBHAN MACKENZIE

You’ve worked across stage and screen, from Traces to the West End’s The Comedy About a Bank Robbery. How does your theatre background inform your on-screen performances?

I think theatre is the most wonderful training for being prepared. Anything can happen on stage, and you have to respond in the moment and be extremely self-sufficient. Theatre is also about being part of a company, working together through long rehearsals and keeping energy up for long runs of shows. I think it helps build up stamina and mental attitude towards the work, which is a really valuable thing to learn. I hope it allows me to be a better company member, as both being on set or on stage is much bigger than just yourself; it’s totally about being a team. 

What have you learned about yourself as an actress over the past few years?

Over the last few years, I have learnt how to be more myself when it comes to work. When I graduated, I was always trying to be what an agent, casting director or producer wanted me to be, and would try to present myself that way. But as I’ve got older, I realised the more honest I am with myself and authentically “me” I am, the better professional relationships I form, the better jobs I am lucky enough to book, and the happier I am in general within work.  

With Half Man having just premiered, what were you most excited, and perhaps most nervous, for audiences to see?

I guess for me personally, this is the first time people see me in a more sustained role, where my character has a journey through multiple scenes, rather than day player roles, which I am really excited about. This also makes me very nervous too, as I really hope I do the character of Joanna, and Richard’s writing, justice. 

Are there particular filmmakers, writers, or genres you’re hoping to collaborate with next?

I would love to work with Stephen Graham at one point in my career. I loved Boiling Point when it came out, with the format being a one-shot, and then with Adolescence, I was blown away. I just love the idea of being able to do one shot of something, as it feels like theatre for screen as well as working on instinct, which really excites me. I’d also love to be in something like The Office one day, as comedy will always have the biggest place in my heart. 

If this moment marks a new chapter for you, what do you hope defines it?

The show airs on my birthday, so I have jokingly been calling it my rebirth. I hope that it allows people to finally see me. As actors, we are constantly worrying about the next job, so if I am totally honest, I hope that it can help lead to future work and allow me to act more consistently.

TEAM CREDITS

talent JULIE CULLEN
photography DAVID REISS
styling SARAH HARRISON
hair and makeup CHARLETTE YEOMANS
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA