German actress Emilia Schüle on the red carpet is far different than how we see her in the new PBS series Marie Antoinette. At the recent Berlinale International Film Festival, she wore a black Gucci dress, and she had an understated elegance to her look. As Marie Antoinette in the new PBS series, debuting on March 19, she puts extravagance into overdrive. While the fashion on-screen is divine — Christian Dior dresses grace the screen, as well as countless other lavish gowns — the series aims to be an entirely new look at the former queen of France.
Shot in the Palace of Versailles, where Marie Antoinette once lived, the new series is written by Deborah Davis of The Favourite and stars Schüle alongside Louis Cunningham, who plays King Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette highlights the hoops the royal had to jump through with the French court as she charmed her reluctant king during her first decade at Versailles. In this adaptation of her story, Marie Antoinette is independent, rebellious, and feminist. We see the queen of France overcoming gossip, finding her way through the royal family, and staying strong in the face of opposition. Berlin-based Schüle, known for her roles in The Berlin Dance School and The Perfumier, has been acting since she was a child — starring in German-language films since 2005.
She talks to Shondaland about the new series, wearing a corset for six months, and what makes her a real Berliner.
NADJA SAYEJ: What was it like shooting in Versailles, which is where Marie Antoinette once lived?
EMILIA SCHÜLE: It was annoying because you’re not allowed to eat in the chateau, so whenever I wanted to have a snack, I had to walk 50 minutes outside to go have a bite of something. But what I loved was the queen’s bedchamber. It has millions of patterns on the wallpaper, and there are two secret doors that would lead to their private chambers, which is where their real lives took place. We weren’t allowed to shoot there, so we had to create a replica in our studio. We re-created all the behind-the-scenes rooms too.
NS: What research did you do for the role?
ES: It was loads [of research]. I only had two and half months to prepare. I had to learn the accent and had hours of wardrobe fittings. The French didn’t speak any English, so that was hard. I worked with acting coaches to try and figure out who Marie Antoinette is. I read many books, and then Deborah Davis said they were all s--t [laughs]. There’s this idea of Marie Antoinette being this luxury-addict girl, but we’re creating a different take on her. I had to let go of what I was reading and trust what I could create.
NS: You say it’s an entirely new Marie Antoinette; what does that mean to you?
ES: You see she is living in a hostile environment. She was unwelcome by her family, and they were working against her constantly. You get to see how much pressure was on her. Her husband wouldn’t sleep with her for seven years; what does that do to a woman? Her sex life was public. Many of these things are not known, and we are shedding some light on it. She never said, “Let them eat cake.” There were forces working against her; it was part of the fake campaign to harm the crown.
NS: How was she an early feminist?
ES: She was definitely a feminist. She was always fighting to preserve her freedom, standing up for herself. She felt she couldn’t be a human being in Versailles. She didn’t put up with many stupid rules. She was trying to be a queen, a rebel, and a woman with needs.
NS: Were you inspired by her fighting spirit?
ES: I’m definitely inspired by the fact that she never abandoned her personal needs. She was always fighting, even though she would be hated. I don’t know if I, me as Emilia, would have the strength to fight her fights.
NS: What was it like wearing the two Dior dresses in the series?
ES: It was special. I would go to a special Parisian studio, where they would work on me. I had to be there — it was draining — but I had to wear them, and it became “Dior day” on set. Both Dior dresses were white, and they weren’t allowed to touch the floor. I always had to have someone behind me carrying the dress. If I had lunch, it was too complicated to undress me, so they would put me on a sofa and put many blankets around me so I wouldn’t spill food on the dress. I got super-hot.
NS: Women’s style in Berlin can be minimal and not super-feminine, right?
ES: I’m a typical Berlin girl. I love my boots, but it doesn’t mean I don’t like a nice handbag.
NS: What was it like wearing a corset for six months?
ES: [It was a full six months] except when she was wearing her nightgown. I recall thinking to myself, “You’re in trouble; you have to wear a corset for six months.” I was refusing it the first months, [which] made it super-tight. Then when I saw myself on the monitor, I saw it wasn’t entirely closed. I thought, “Wow, I have to go all the way.” It really had to fit tight.
NS: You had to wear a lot of hair. What was it like?
ES: I had to wake up around 5 or 5:30 a.m.; I was relieved it wasn’t earlier. I started to enjoy the prep time at some [point]. I was always on set, and this was the only time I had each day to myself. I had some of my best ideas in that hair chair. They were hollow wigs, so they weren’t heavy. I was waiting for them to get bigger and bigger. I loved the ones where she has lioness-like hair.
NS: What made you feel the most like Marie Antoinette?
ES: I connected to this childish side in her. This lust for life. She was trying to distract herself from loneliness and abandonment. We don’t give it too much attention, but that’s how I connected with her. I recently turned 30, and I’m excited about this new decade of my life. It’s like a new era has begun.
NS: Who are your favorite actresses?
ES: There are loads of inspiring women out there. There are so many more exciting young actresses right now than ever, like Emma Stone, Florence Pugh, and Zendaya.
NS: What makes you a real Berlin native?
ES: I still find it upsetting that bars and nightlife in other cities have a curfew. It’s just weird. The Berlin way to do it is not normal. When I was in Paris — bars close at 1:30 or 2 a.m. — I would make fun of it. And it’s weirder in England, when they close at 11 p.m.
NS: Do you have any advice for young actors who look up to you?
ES: Loads of girls ask me, “How can I become an actress?” My advice would be to find out if it’s really something for you. Are you really comfortable standing in front of people and acting? Go find a local theater, and get cracking. Other than that, don’t let mansplaining happen. Also, over the course of my 20s, I learned I feel the happiest and most beautiful if I look [after] myself, sleep enough, move, and eat healthy. A positive self-perception comes from within and not the outside. I had to figure that out myself.
Nadja Sayej is an arts and culture journalist based in New York City who has written 5 books, including Biennale Bitch and The Celebrity Interview Book.
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