Katy Davis can be seen in the new Warner Bros. film Motherless Brooklyn alongside Edward Norton. We got to chat with Katy about the film, filming in NYC, her transition from Ireland to America, and more!
Photo Credit:
Photographer: Yasmine Kateb @yasminekateb
Make-up: Anton Khachaturian @antonmakeup
Hair: Allison Noelle @allisonnoellemakeup
upfrontNY: When did you find your passion for acting?
Katy Davis: Honestly, I never remember a time before wanting to be an actor. In fact my earliest memory is at age 3 of asking my Dad to “give” me an audition because I thought it was something that he could physically give me that would make me an actor. At age 5 I remember watching Australian soap operas at lunchtime and then rewatching the repeats at dinnertime to see if I could catch the actors doing something differently. So I suppose I’ve always had a fascination with the world of acting and performing. When I was 12 I started taking speech & drama classes at The Betty Ann Norton Theatre School that also acted as a children’s agency in Dublin. They got me my first audition (which I booked!) and the rest is history!
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about Motherless Brooklyn and what it was like being a part of this film?
Katy Davis: Well I can’t give too much away as the entire plot of the film is one long who dunnit. Set against the backdrop of 1950’s New York I play a “fresh off the boat” young Irish girl. She works the front desk at an office where Lionel (Edward Norton’s character) encounters her on his journey to solve the mystery…
Working opposite Edward Norton was incredible. He’s a fiercely talented and generous actor as well as director, writer, producer and screenwriter (he wears all those hats on this particular film). There was room for some improv within the written scene and the whole experience felt very collaborative.
upfrontNY: What is the best part of being on set?
Katy Davis: Well to me I look at auditioning as my job and booking the job as a really fun bonus. So by the time I get to set I feel like my work is done and its all fun from thereon out. There’s also a feeling on set of solidarity and being in the trenches together that I find intoxicating.
upfrontNY: The film was filmed in New York City. What did you enjoy most about your time in NYC?
Katy Davis: My husband is from NY so we all travelled as a family and got to stay with my in-laws for a few weeks which was such a special way to introduce my 3 month old to his Dad’s hometown. The film is set in 1950s Brooklyn and the attention to detail on set was breathtaking. Down to the manual typewriter sitting on my desk. My wardrobe, hair and makeup were also such a treat as they stayed true to the classic noir style.
upfrontNY: Motherless Brooklyn is based in the 1950s. If you had the chance to film a movie based on another decade, which would it be and why?
Katy Davis: I’m gonna go with the 90’s. I was a teenager then (who made some questionable fashion choices) so I think it’d be really cool to revisit that era with the help of a great wardrobe stylist and professional hair and make up to atone for past mistakes!
upfrontNY: You were born in Dublin and studied at the Dublin’s Gaiety School of Acting, What has been the most enjoyable and the hardest part of your transition from Ireland to America?
Katy Davis: I moved to LA nine years ago not knowing One. Single. Person. At the time it all seemed like one big adventure but looking back now I’m not quite sure how I did it. There were so many challenges and obstacles I had to deal with that I never could have imagined sitting in my bedroom in Dublin planning the move. In fact my husband quite often asks me to stop when I start telling stories of my first few months alone in LA! But I truly believe that your life shrinks or expands in proportion with your courage – so without that courageous move nine years ago we wouldn’t be having this conversation today.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about playing Valkyrian Prime in Troopers and what you enjoyed most about that experience?
Katy Davis: Well Valkyrian Prime is described as “A sleek, uniformed trooper. She is a force of raw evil known as “The Mistress of Management” and “The Iron Consultant.” She is confident, deadly & ruthless.” Honestly she was a dream role to play. Someone who gives zero f*cks about what anyone thinks of her and has all the power in almost every situation. The tone of Troopers is definitely a combination of Sci Fi and wacky comedy. My job was very much to be the straight man to the College Humor cast members with all the jokes and one-liners but I’ll take it!
upfrontNY: What do you like to do when you are not working?
Katy Davis: I’m obsessed with podcasts. Since becoming a mother I find it hard to squeeze in reading or tv. But a podcast can always be on in the background, while I’m driving or cooking. My go tos are Dear Sugar, Armchair Expert, Guys We F*cked and The Birth Hour to name just a few!
I’ve been a bookworm my whole life but like I said balancing a book and a toddler can be challenging. My husband and I ran away to Thailand earlier this year and I devoured Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” by the pool and “Little Fires Everywhere” is currently on my nightstand just dying to be picked up…
I’m a devoted hiker since living in LA with its gorgeous hills and daily sunshine and its one of my favourites things to do first thing in the morning before anyone else in my house is awake. That hour to myself while the sun rises and I listen to a podcast (of course!) are just the best.
I have a Law & Order SVU problem. Like, can tell you who did it within the first 30 seconds of an episode problem. Thankfully as soon as I met him I got my husband on board and now we happily binge whenever we get a spare few minutes.
I will never lose the thrill I get from watching a live performance. It doesn’t happen as often as I’d like but my first great loves were plays and musicals and I’ll always jump at a night out at the theatre.
One of my greatest indulgences is excellent Italian food and my restaurant of choice to splurge at is Rao’s in Hollywood. Their red sauce can’t be beaten!
upfrontNY: What are your goals for 2020?
Katy Davis: Baby #2 should be arriving sometime in February so my main goals are to just stay calm, healthy and positive no matter what our new situation throws at us.
Wish me luck!!!
Leave a Reply