Exclusive interview: Kerry Fox on The Children, working as a Kiwi actor abroad and why 'Kiwi shyness' can hold performers back

New Zealand actor Kerry Fox is back on the London stage in Lucy Kirkwood's acclaimed play The Children, starring alongside Dame Meera Syal and Declan Conlon at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

Fox, whose international screen career has included An Angel at My Table, Shallow Grave and Bright Star, plays Rose in the darkly funny drama about three retired nuclear scientists forced to confront questions of responsibility, ageing and what one generation owes the next.

For Fox, the production also offers a relatively rare opportunity to perform as a New Zealander in her own voice. She tells FANZA it is a "great sadness" that she has had so few opportunities to work in Aotearoa and says New Zealand women rarely take leading roles in the many international productions filmed there.

FANZA caught up with Kerry about why she was immediately drawn to The Children, the cultural relationship between New Zealand and Britain, and her advice for Australian and New Zealand performers trying to establish themselves in the UK.

What drew you to The Children and, in particular, to the character of Rose - what was it about her that made you want to take on the role?

I met with Rachel O'Riordan after loving the play instantly at first read and having read it five times prior to that meeting. It is enticing and complex yet direct and forceful.

Rachel seemed the same and I instantly said I wanted to play Rose. It feels like she is written for me - extremely strong, determined, single-minded, committed but also vulnerable, open-hearted, honest and with a good few flaws - like pettiness.

She wants to use her knowledge to alleviate the strife of others and the impact of her own neglect.

The play deals with big questions about responsibility, ageing and what one generation owes the next. Why do you think those themes are so relevant today?

As older women in particular are being sidelined, ignored, banished from public life and responsibility, I think this play is a great antidote to that modern/age-old trend, with two women at its heart.

We all recognise that mistakes environmentally were made by our own and previous generations, the effects are being noticeably felt daily in normal life as fires rage close to a nuclear power station and the government warns of imminent food shortages.

We are responsible, what are we going to do about it?

This play lays the question firmly at the feet of three 60-year-olds who have reaped the benefits of the good years, but feel deep care for the children of the future.

You began your career in New Zealand but have spent much of your working life in the UK. How has being a New Zealand actor working internationally shaped the kinds of roles and stories you've been drawn to over the years?

It is a great sadness to me that I have had so little opportunity to work more often in New Zealand, Aotearoa.

Unfortunately, projects filmed there rarely have New Zealand women in leading roles. There's lots of imported production made there, but Kiwis don't star in them.

Often wonderful first features are filmed with local actors, but the budgets are so low it's too difficult to sustain a living.

So that means I have rarely played a role as a New Zealander, in my own voice - which is one thing I'm loving about the choices I've made playing Rose - she's a Kiwi in our production... although, like me, she would have had to leave during her studies to have the chance at the career opportunities that character took advantage of.

What do you think is special about the creative relationship between the UK and Australia and New Zealand, and how would you like to see that relationship develop?

That's an interesting question as I see the three places as so incredibly different culturally.

I think that is because I'm so aware of how each country manages and cares for differences of ethnicity and background and its distribution of wealth.

I attended the wonderful inaugural Pacifika Festival here in London recently and it was gorgeous and informative and culturally rich - more of that please.

I know it is hard for the likes of the British Council and the NZFC to maintain, foster and fund strong links across the world.

It does feel from my perspective that these countries are drifting apart from each other culturally.

For Australian and New Zealand performers hoping to build a career in the UK, what have you learned from your own experience of making that move and establishing yourself here?

I really feel for young creatives coming here seeking opportunities. I often have them to stay with me.

The nature of casting has changed so dramatically - it is so hard to meet people and form connections because so much is done remotely.

But essentially, it's the same old advice: hunt down people you like, who excite you and challenge you and open your eyes to new ideas and create your own work with them.

Put it on in a small pub theatre, take it to the Edinburgh Fringe, film it yourselves.

I think the Kiwi 'can do' attitude gives us a good reputation - but Kiwi shyness can really hold us back.

Kia kaha. Be strong.

Kerry Fox stars as Rose in The Children at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until 3 October 2026.