Kathryn Drysdale Hits It Big!
Written by Vaughn Stewart
Photographer: Joseph Sinclair
Stylist: Aimee Croysdill
Glam: Zainab Jaye
With one of the biggest shows on Netflix, Kathryn Drysdale is flying high and becoming an extremely busy actress. She also has some deep thoughts to share about love and humanity. Cool America loved talking with her.
Hi, Kathyrn. When did you first get the acting bug?
I first got the acting bug when I was around three-years-old, performing my own shows in my living room for my family
What was you first professional job?
My first professional acting job was a scene in a tv series called People Like Us. I was in college and I had one-line opposite Bill Nighy. I messed it up on the first few takes because I was so nervous. Bill Nighy showed me around the set, sat with me for lunch and gave me some lovely advice. He’s a legend.
Bridgerton is the most talked about show right now. Can you believe the success of it?
I’m truly blown away by the success of Bridgerton. It’s quite surreal. Luckily, I feel quite disconnected as I’ve been in lockdown and in my own bubble. I’m happy that we have brought a bit of light, joy and escapism at a time where there has been much darkness.
Tell us about your character Genevieve Delacroix?
Genevieve is a successful badass modiste. A sort of regency Coco Chanel. She created an identity in order to survive and thrive in a patriarchal world, and is winning.
She has her own shop, house and carriages and is insanely talented. It was rare for women to have such independence back then but she found a way of making her own way in the world, which is admirable. There are so many layers of her yet to be explored which is exciting.
“I look forward to the day in which I can hug people again.”
Have you ever taken on a role only to find that the character was more complicated than you initially thought?
No.
What character have you played that is most like you and least like you?
The least like me would be probably Genevieve in Bridgerton, although I love her dearly. The most like me would be a character I played called Lizzie in a series called Tripping Over.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently playing leads on two animation series and I’m recording a BBC radio play, and prepping for my next job. Things have gotten quite busy since Bridgerton aired.
“I think we all have a conscious responsibility to make this world a better place.”
Do you like to be constantly working or do you like rests in between projects?
I love to constantly have something going on, but I do love little breaks. I love to cocoon a bit in between jobs.
Name 3 actresses you would like to work with.
Viola Davis, Meryl Streep and Jessica Chastain.
Three actors?
Leonardo DiCaprio, Joaquin Phoenix, Denzel Washington, and Daniel Day Lewis. Four.
Three directors?
Ingmar Bergman if he was still alive but I’ll settle for Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese, lol. They are amazing!
Is there someone in your life that will always give you their honest opinion no matter what?
My boyfriend and my best friend Caroline.
What’s your favorite place to go?
Anywhere near water is nice.
What would you be if you weren’t an actress?
Either a photographer or a functional medicine practitioner.
What advice would you give an aspiring actor?
Keep creating and honing your craft in whatever way that you can. Stay grounded, focused and passionate. Believe in yourself always and know that talent will always win out. Try to find an inner practice that will help keep you centered. When things get tough know that it’s a marathon not a sprint.
How did Covid-19 affect your life?
Covid pressed a big pause button on life as I knew it, and it made me dearly appreciative of the small things I took for granted. Somehow, I have calmed down, as life is a little slower, and it’s given me an opportunity to study the meaning of true health. I have developed new interests which I wouldn’t have necessarily had the time to pursue. I have a deep appreciation for so many things. Even though I have had a physical disconnect from the world I feel more connected in my heart to people across the globe. I will never ever take for granted the freedom that I had or the importance of physical contact.
“I’m truly blown away by the success of Bridgerton.”
How have you adjusted?
I have adjusted to the new normal but I look forward to the day in which I can hug people again.
We are called Cool America Magazine. What do you think is cool about America?
America is the land of vision, opportunity and dreams. It’s diverse. These are pretty cool things. I love America!
What makes you cool?
I have a big heart — that’s pretty cool!
As a Human being on planet Earth, what responsibility do you feel you have to make this world a better place?
I think we all have a conscious responsibility to make this world a better place. We are here for a short time and I think it’s important that we honor our ancestors, and serve our future generations and Mother Earth. I believe the more work we do internally on becoming the absolute best people we can be, the more our love causes a ripple effect across the world.