Karla Crome
in
Netflix series
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Photography David Reiss
Fashion Editor Deborah Ferguson
Words by Deborah Ferguson
Quietly brilliant actress, writer, and creator Karla Crome speaks with Contents Beauty Magazine about her haunting role in the Netflix series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, collaborating with visionary creatives, balancing acting with screenwriting, and the exciting slate of projects set to release later this year.
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen presents a surreal and emotionally charged take on relationships. What drew you to this role and this storyline?
I was really taken by Haley Z. Boston’s writing. It’s sharp, intelligent, and the characters are always layered and surprising. Not many writers have Haley’s skill with dialogue, and that makes my job a hell of a lot easier. I loved the central narrative question: how can you be sure the person you marry is “the one”? What do you stand to lose if you get it wrong? It’s an anxiety that’s universal. I was drawn to Nell in particular because she’s enigmatic; Rachel can’t be sure if she’s an ally or a threat. I enjoyed finding conflicting moments of warmth and hostility. I also happen to be a huge horror/genre fan, so the world was instantly intriguing; it’s the kind of show I’d watch regardless of my involvement.
Your character brings a grounded, no-nonsense energy into an increasingly unsettling narrative. How did you approach shaping her within that dynamic?
Like Rachel, Nell has married into the Cunningham family. As an outsider, she’s able to be a little more objective about things. She understands the complex family dynamic and knows how to handle it. I worked with our brilliant director, Weronika Tofilska, to find a calm, even energy that felt authentic to Nell, but could also feel indifferent or cold to Rachel.
Jacket, Pants, & Heels: Stella McCartney
Blouse, Suit, & Shoes: Toga JP
The series explores the tension between romantic expectation and a darker, more inevitable reality. How did that duality inform your performance?
Ostensibly, Nell’s relationship with her husband Jules is a failure. There’s a palpable darkness between them. Initially, they offer a counterpoint to Nicky and Rachel, who seem to be made for each other. However, the show does a great job of subverting our ideas about the “perfect” relationship. Whilst Jules and Nell are often at each other’s throats, there is passion, honesty, and sacrifice there too; I think that’s true of many relationships. I loved working with Jeff Wilbusch to find the light and shade. It’s really about being playful, having fun, and giving yourself and the other actor permission to try everything and see what works.
What was your experience working with The Duffer Brothers and Haley Z. Boston on a project of this scale and tone?
Stranger Things is a TV leviathan, so having their name behind the project was a huge privilege. They were all about supporting Haley to achieve her vision, and I respect that enormously. I think Haley is a genius; she’s also kind, personable, and down to earth to boot. She was gracious enough to listen to our thoughts and questions and make changes where necessary, without compromising her voice. I genuinely can’t wait to see what she does next; she’s a star.
The show has resonated strongly with audiences. Did you anticipate that level of response when you first read the script?
It’s impossible to predict how a project will land. It’s nice when your work is popular and has reach, but what I’m really interested in is making work that aligns with my taste. I knew the script was completely original and unlike anything I’d ever read, and I knew we had exceptional talent involved. I had a quiet confidence it might be a critical hit, but beyond that, I had no idea. The response has been amazing, though, and I’m thrilled for everyone involved.
Alongside acting, you’re an accomplished screenwriter. How do you balance developing your own work while being immersed in demanding productions?
Days on set are long, especially in the US and Canada; it’s not uncommon to run into the early hours. It can be repetitive and exhausting, but there’s also a lot of “dead” time between scenes and setups. I often find this is when I’m most productive. I don’t have the distractions on set that I do at home, and I get a surprising amount of work done. As much as I’d love to do one job at a time, it’s not always possible in this industry. Projects often clash, and you just have to roll your sleeves up and make it work.
What is your next project releasing after Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, and what can you share about it?
I am about to start filming the third and final series of Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli’s Am I Being Unreasonable?. I never considered myself a comedy actress until this role came along, and I adore playing Lucy. She’s an increasingly unhinged suburban mother, and I’m actively encouraged to be as silly as possible. Who doesn’t want to dick around all day and get paid for it?! I am also filming Sharon Horgan’s brilliant new comedy, HESTIA, for HBO. Sharon is everything I aspire to be as an actress, writer, and producer, so I’m soaking up all I can. Beyond that, I play a very different role as an unyielding police detective in Kenneth Branagh’s The Last Disturbance of Madeleine Hynde, which is slated for release later this year.
What is your next screenplay project, or one currently in production, and when can audiences expect to see it?
I’ve created, written, and executive-produced Possession for Sky Atlantic, which will be released later this year. This project has been seven years in the making, and I’m in awe of the amazing team who’ve brought it into existence. It’s a supernatural thriller set in present-day Jamaica and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jonny Lee Miller, Bel Powley, and Sheldon Shepherd, and is directed by Storm Saulter, who is an artist in every sense of the word. It’s propulsive, scary, mind-bending, all the genre stuff I love, but also has something important to say about the legacy and evils of colonialism. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve made. I’m also writing episodes of two very different legal dramas; one for the BBC and one for Apple TV. I can’t say too much yet, but it has been an education!
Blouse, Suit, & Shoes: Toga JP
Jacket, Pants, & Heels: Stella McCartney
For Contents Beauty: What is your go-to skincare routine and the products you rely on, whether you’re at home in London or traveling for work?
I always moisturise; my mum used to cake me in E45 every morning, so it was kind of drilled into me. I love my skin to look glowing and hydrated, so I’ve always got a balm or face oil in my bag to give my skin a little shine and lift. I’m definitely not snobby about brands; science tells us that the ingredients are similar across the board, whether it’s a luxury brand or something off a chemist’s shelf. I’m not drawn in by fancy packaging or price tags. That said, if I was to pick a few stocking fillers, I’d go for Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, Tamanu Balm, and a hydrating facial oil.
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