Krew Boylan is going to make you laugh out loud in her new film, Seriously Red – an ode to Dolly Parton and a journey of self-discovery.
It follows Red (Boylan) as she attempts to take control of her life by becoming a Parton impersonator.
“I hope people enjoy it. And reflect on their own identity, and check in with who they are,” Boylan, 40, tells WHO.
Here, the actress spills on her love for the singer and how kissing bestie Rose Byrne was no big deal.
The movie is sooo funny.
That’s good to hear! You don’t want it to be a downer.
It’s so different to anything we’ve seen.
Perfect. That’s one of the reasons why I wrote it. I want to take the glitter of Hollywood and the cowboy boots of Nashville, and sprinkle it on a bit of Australian sense of humour, sensibility and heart.
It has a bit of a Murial’s Wedding feel to it. Tell us about your character, Red.
She’s a self-proclaimed clown who decides to take herself seriously by becoming a Dolly Parton impersonator. So to figure out who she is, she first has to become someone else.
What do you love about Red?
I adore her impulsiveness and her ability to turn the joke onto herself. And to be outside the box. I also love that she doesn’t fit in.
Do you see yourself in Red?
Yep. Loads! I definitely see myself, and I see a girlfriend of mine who’s a muse. She definitely bleeds into the character.
You must be a huge Dolly Parton fan.
I am. I started really loving Dolly from Steel Magnolias. I felt that she was underrated, but now the Zeitgeist has caught up and everyone feels the same way about Dolly as I’ve always done. She’s a businesswoman, she looks fabulous, and she’s smart and sassy. She’s got her [theme park] Dollywood. Women want to be best friends with her and men want to marry – and also have a one-night stand – with her. She’s the only person in the world who’s universally loved and who everyone agrees on.
Are you a method actor like Red?
I did study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City, and method acting is taught there. They don’t encourage people to go home and continue as their character though. I mean, they do to an extent. I did once do a TV commercial and I was playing eight different characters – three of them were men. One was a bald guy and I had this incredible bald cap. I did go to buy a bottle of water as a man (laughs).
Do you have a favourite Dolly song?
‘Jolene’. I love that it’s a love letter to the other woman. A kind plea. I also like the rhythm.
Was that your singing voice in the film?
Yes, that was a whole different journey. Because of COVID, some of us got to sing live and some of us had to pre-record.
How did you nail her voice and accent?
Other than working with a dialect coach, I had one favourite interview that I loved that she did with [Michael] Parkinson. It’s helpful to have a couple of catchphrases
to get you into the song or accent.
Rose Byrne was hysterical. How did she keep a straight face playing Elvis?
She’s a pro (laughs).
What was it like working with her?
It’s the easiest thing in the world because we’re best mates. We even had an intimacy coordinator, which is hilarious for us because it’s the easiest thing to make out with her – it’s like eating an apple or something. It’s so normal! Rose is a total professional where she will offer up everything and make you laugh, and cry, and surprise you.
In cinemas from Nov. 24
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