IN CONVERSATION WITH LISA VICARI

interview by PHOEBE GIBSON-DOUGALL

Lisa Vicari is one of Germany’s most compelling screen talents, an actress who has grown up in front of the camera and come into her own on the international stage. With over 15 years of experience and a career that spans acclaimed German and global productions, she now stars opposite Idris Elba in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ thriller Hijack, returning on 14th January for its highly anticipated second season. From the cult phenomenon Dark to Django and beyond, Lisa continues to build a body of work defined by intensity, intelligence, and global ambition, both on screen and as a Cartier ambassador since 2021.  

sweater DIOR
hat stylist’s own
earrings CARTIER

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming role in Hijack. What attracted you to the show in the first place? 

When I started reading the first episodes of the second season, I simply couldn’t put the script down. The story and the characters drew me in immediately, and I was desperate to know where it was all going. It’s fast-paced, intense, and unpredictable — so much fun. I just really wanted to be a part of it. 

In Hijack, you act alongside icons like Idris Elba and Toby Jones, and you’ve also held your own in scenes with the likes of Noomi Rapace and Mathias Schoenaerts in other roles. How has sharing the screen with such big stars shaped your own creative practice and approach to acting? 

Working with such established actors is obviously a huge privilege. They bring so much experience to a set, and I try to be a sponge around them, soaking up their approach to the work. There is so much to learn, and my experiences with all of them have been incredibly positive. Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because I feel so lucky to act opposite these extraordinary artists. 

dress ALESSANDRA RICH
earrings and watch CARTIER

Aside from Hijack, a lot of your roles have been quite intense and complex, from Martha in Dark to Sarah in Django. How do you go about disconnecting from such heavy themes at the end of each day? 

I’ve always felt drawn to intense, complex characters who have to navigate extreme emotions, which can be quite heavy at times. I fully commit to those feelings while filming, but over time I’ve learned techniques to let them go once I leave the set. Of course, this works better on some days than others. I’ve come to understand that taking care of myself during and after a shoot is almost as important as preparing for it. As an actor, my body and mind are my instruments, so I need to care for them the way a musician would, including taking time off after a long shoot and reconnecting with myself. 

What is the process of preparing for a character like for you? How do you approach becoming somebody else? 

My preparation really depends on the character, every role requires a different approach. In general, though, I try to gather visual, emotional, and intellectual clues from the script that bring me closer to the character. I create mood boards and playlists, and I talk as much as possible with the director. I try to trust that if I sit with the character and their world long enough, they will come to me and reveal themselves. Then it’s my job to take care of them, protect them, and let them live through me. 

The world of acting is a tough space right now, from concerns about AI to the growing expectation that actors are also influencers. How do you navigate such a fast-paced industry? 

Of course, these topics concern me, as does my love for the craft of filmmaking. I think it’s important for artists to protect their work. Human-made art is essential for empathy and human expression. AI will inevitably become more advanced, and there’s no real way to stop it. The only thing we can do is continue to believe in our way of telling stories. I truly hope  — and believe — that people will continue to crave art created by real people rather than algorithms. Art has always changed and adapted to the world around it — that’s part of its DNA. As long as we keep creating, it will continue to exist and reflect the world we live in. 

beret NOEL STEWART
blazer VINTAGE YVES SAINT LAURENT
trousers and shoes DIOR
shirt HILDUR YEOMAN
earrings CARTIER

Do you find that the challenges for actors are similar across wherever you are? Or are there unique concerns in Germany as opposed to other places in Europe, or even the US? 

Every country has its own film industry and system, of course, but I think many of the challenges are quite similar across the board. The US industry operates on a completely different scale compared to Europe or Germany, so there’s a certain closeness in the German industry that you might not find elsewhere. That’s something I really love about working here. Everyone knows everyone, and it feels like one big film family where you keep meeting people you’ve worked with before. It builds trust and creates a very special working environment. 

Beyond film, since 2021, you’ve had a close relationship with Cartier. What about the brand and its ethos speaks to you? 

Cartier places a huge emphasis on supporting the arts, especially cinema. There’s a deep appreciation for film and the people behind it. For example, every year they host a dinner before the Berlinale together with Studio Babelsberg to celebrate the people both in front of and behind the camera. Directors, producers, actors, as well as costume and production designers, are all in one room — eating, chatting, and connecting. It’s a beautiful thing. 

You’re an ambassador for Cartier’s Love, Unlimited collection. Do you have a preferred metal? Are you a gold or silver girl, or do you like to mix them all? 

My favourite is mixing all the metals! That’s also why I love the Trinity collection so much — it combines all three metals in a single piece. 

Berlin has been your home for years now, and the city is known for having a distinct and subversive fashion scene. Have you found that this has had any impact on your own personal style? 

The beautiful thing about Berlin is that everyone can dress however they like without being judged. You see all kinds of styles on the streets, and you can find inspiration just by walking through Kreuzberg or taking the subway. Living here has also taught me not to be afraid to experiment with my personal style from time to time. That said, I still love a timeless, classic wardrobe — but I enjoy switching it up with different textures and layers. 

Your resume has a lot of variety already. You’ve acted in everything from a coming-of-age romance to a spaghetti western, but are there any projects or roles you’d love to take on in the future? 

I love that I never know what the next project will bring. I’m personally a huge fan of intimate, relationship-driven stories in cinema, and I haven’t had the chance to do a film like that yet. It’s something I’d love to explore one day! 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent LISA VICARI
photography LEE MALONE
styling NATALIE BREWSTER
hair and makeup NOHELIA REYES using Violette FR and Oribe
lighting JAKE MILSOM
hair and makeup assistance LARA NASAMU
styling assistance SARAH ORKIN
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview PHOEBE GIBSON-DOUGALL @PHOEBEGD