Nell Tiger Free – ContentMode

Nell Tiger Free

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The First Omen

When she isn’t hanging out in pubs or binging Vanderpump Rules, Nell Tiger Free is captivating audiences with her immeasurable talent and cementing herself as the new Scream Queen to watch. After starring in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Servant, and seasons 5 and 6 of HBO’s Game of Thrones, the 24-year-old English actress steps into the role of Margaret Daino in The First Omen (2024), the acclaimed prequel to Richard Donner’s 1976 horror classic, The Omen. Taking place several years prior to the events of the first installment, writer and director Arkasha Stevenson’s ghastly origin story follows a young American woman who relocates to Rome as a novitiate and comes face-to-face with the depraved secrets hidden behind the holy walls of her new Church. The First Omen has been lauded for its politically potent messaging and sophisticated cinematography–all packed into a chilling and stomach-churning horror experience and led by a career-defining performance by Tiger Free. The First Omen aired in theaters on April 5th, 2024, and is now available to stream on Hulu.

Knit Dress, One-Piece swimsuit, Belt, and Heels: Kenzo S24

The First Omen was as visually enticing and intricate as it was suspenseful and gruesome. What was it like working with director Arkasha Stevenson on such a stylistic project?

I mean, working with Arkasha on anything is a gift. If she wanted me to perform a one-woman retelling of Les Misérables all in Turkish dressed as a crêpe I would do it–and it would probably be genius. But, getting to work with her on something as mega as this…There aren’t enough words to describe the joy this experience was. There were moments when we were shutting down whole piazzas in Rome or getting one take to nail the perfect car crash and the sheer scale of what you’re doing starts to settle in. Yet, even in those moments, I would catch her eye and she would have the perfect ‘you-got-this’ look. I would see that look and think, okay, maybe I got this. Having someone you respect so much put so much faith in you–that’s one hell of a feeling. This movie was her baby, she nurtured it as so. To have her trust me with it, I’ll be forever grateful to her.

Silk Top and Jeans: Patou, Earring: Sara Wong

Between your roles in Game of Thrones, The Servant, and now The First Omen, you seem to specialize in the world of doom and gloom! Is there something that particularly attracts you to darker projects, or is it just a coincidence?

I’d like to think there’s some greater meaning to it all–like maybe I’m acting out against what women are expected to look like on screen, or perhaps it is a big middle finger to the whole damsel in distress notion; but honestly, I just love weird shit. I’ve always been fascinated with the macabre–since I was a kid really. It doesn’t surprise me that my adult life has echoed the seven-year-old who would sneak off to her next-door neighbor’s house and raid the horror DVDs. I also think that horror evokes the most visceral reaction in people. It’s kind of the truest form of escapism. We watch scary movies for the same reason we go on rollercoasters or leave paying our gas bill until we’ve got one of those scary ‘final notice’ papers: For the thrill of it. Life can be monotonous, mundane, repetitive…So come along and join us in a fantastically terrifying world, and remember: No matter how bad it gets, at least you’re not being forced to give birth to the antichrist.

Top, Skirt, Belt, Heels, Jewelry & Bag: CHANEL Metiers d’art 2024

You’ve garnered a lot of praise for your powerful and haunting performance as Margaret in The First Omen. How are you reacting to all of this positive reception?

I’ve let it all go completely to my head and am becoming insufferable to be around. No, honestly–I’m British, so taking compliments isn’t exactly my forte. Naturally, I’ll ruminate on the negative comments because they feed my well of insecurity that I’ve elected to deepen by putting myself up for public scrutiny all the livelong day.

All that being said, the positive reactions have touched me more than I can express. When you’re making the thing, or doing the scene, you’re not thinking: ‘God, I hope people like this.’ Not at all. Because you’ve been living in it for three months, and at that point, you’ve forgotten you’re making something that other human beings will actually see!

I like to pretend that I’m very cool and do it all for ‘the art’ but as soon as people started to express that they liked it, I realized just how much that meant to me. That was a very ‘round the houses’ way of saying it means the world and I’m so grateful to Arkasha for getting that performance out of me.

CHANEL Les 4 Ombres in Candeaur et Experience

Stylo Ombré et Contour in Contour Clair

Top, Skirt, Belt, Heels, Jewelry & Bag: CHANEL Metiers d’art 2024

Taking place around the Catholic Church, The First Omen features a lot of beautiful Roman architecture and scenery, requiring many scenes to be filmed on-site in Rome. What was it like getting to film there? Did you have any time to explore?

Rome is the tits. I love that place. Getting to tell a story where it was intended to be told, set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most iconic architecture…It doesn’t really get better than that. I’ve been lucky enough to make two films in Rome and it never gets old. On our days off, the cast and crew would find little Italian wine bars and cheese shops and even some Italian karaoke which really takes the edge off of having to throw a flaming nun from a balcony just moments before.

Knit top, Pants, and hair Accessory: Sara Wong F24

Knit Top & Skirt: Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Pumps: Vintage

As someone who has been in a lot of emotionally demanding roles, how do you take care of yourself after a difficult day on set?

Well, certainly the aforementioned Italian karaoke.

Honestly, I’ve always been alright with leaving work at work. As soon as I’m out of my costume I’m back to being me again and I think that’s important or I may lose my marbles. When you’re shooting on location, the cast and crew sort of become your family. So, as soon as we’re done, we would all gather at one of our temporary homes and drink wine, talk about our weird and wonderful days and just keep each other sane. If I ever get married this project has doubled the invite list. I truly love these people, which is lucky.

Linen Blazer and Silk pants: H&M studio collection, Ankle Boots: Vintage

On that same note, do you have any self-care rituals you partake in to keep yourself happy and healthy in your free time?

I must confess I have yet to dabble in self-care. I think I take the best care of myself while I’m working. But in the weeks or months (sometimes a year) when I’m not acting, I tend to spend my time at the pub or watching Vanderpump Rules. I hear rumors that I should be ‘keeping my instrument warm’ or ‘feeding my creativity’ but to me work is work and rest is rest.

So I suppose my answer would be Vanderpump Rules.

Top, Skirt, Belt, Heels, Jewelry & Bag: CHANEL Metiers d’art 2024

No. 1 CHANEL Lip and Cheek Balm in Warm Pink

Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush in Intense Coral

On the fashion side of things–what has it been like getting to work with Chanel?

Oh man, Chanel has always been one of my all-time favorites. They’ve been kind enough to dress me on a few occasions. My first-ever Servant premiere is still one of my favorite looks to date, I was 19. As my fashion and my sense of self has changed and grown (hopefully), I’ve always felt beautiful in Chanel. It’s hard not to. Being dressed by them is always a privilege, and they throw one hell of a party.

Knit top, Pants, and hair Accessory: Sara Wong F24

Do you think your fashion reflects your artistry?

I think fashion and personal style is a great way to differentiate a person from a character. Historically, my characters have been wildly different to me on all accounts–style included. When you’ve been watching me dressed as a cult member or a nun, seeing me in my own clothes is a good way of getting a sense of my personality. It’s my job to keep who I am hidden, to convince people that I’m someone else entirely. So, when there’s an opportunity to be me, the way I dress, that’s a window into who I am.

Chance Eau Fraiche

Eau de Parfum Spray

Knit Dress, One-Piece swimsuit, Belt, and Heels: Kenzo S24

What can we expect from you in the near future?

Well, in the very, very near future, I will be watching the Vanderpump Rules reunion.

After that, who knows? I’m still reading and exploring new projects and trying to figure out what it is I want to do next. I certainly wouldn’t rule out seeing me back in the horror space, it’s kind of my home. But, who knows? Maybe I’ll pull the rug out and do a musical. But for now, I’m enjoying seeing everyone’s reactions to The First Omen and watching Arkasha get the recognition she deserves. Until I’m back to tell another story, you will find me in the pub.