Interview: Conni Miu on Her Role in Powerful Drama “DOC” -

Conni Miu is an up-and-coming Canadian actress taking Hollywood by storm with standout performances in Priscilla and The Boys. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, she initially trained as a dancer before finding her calling as an actress. Currently based in Toronto, Conni’s diligence and talent make her an actress to look out for in Hollywood.

You started as a dancer before transitioning into acting. How did your background in dance influence your approach to acting?
I often find myself thinking about how a character might move. With my background in dance, I’ve found that I am a lot more physically aware, especially compared to being vocally aware. I find that I have more of a natural ability to mimic someone’s walk than I do to mimic someone’s voice or accent. Another aspect that I think is really fun, is to also use animal inspirations when creating the physicality of a character. Like if someone is more powerful, perhaps they are more sure footed like a lion. But if they are easily intimidated, maybe they have quicker movements like a squirrel. Definitely the dance has left an impression on me in terms of physicality when approaching a character.

Was there a specific moment when you knew you wanted to pursue acting as a full-time career?
I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was young, maybe 10 years old. I loved Disney channel and was inspired by Miley and Selena, I wanted to be like them! But back then, it seemed so unrealistic! It wasn’t until my last year of high school, when I took my first drama class, that I realized I think I could probably do this! When it became something I thought I might be able to do, that’s when I knew I really wanted to chase the dream.

Leaving your degree behind to move to Toronto was a bold decision. What motivated you to take that leap?
I tend to make little decisions slow and big decisions fast! It’s common to find me stressing over tiny debates, like what to eat for dinner, but I can choose to do something drastic so quick. Sometimes I just get very strong gut feelings, as I did with moving to Toronto! A lot of things made sense about the decision, but in truth, a lot of it was also very risky and didn’t seem very smart at the time. But I just had a gut feeling about it and I knew it was the right choice for me. Haven’t regretted it a second since!

Your role in Priscilla was a turning point in your career. What was it like working with Sofia Coppola, and how did that experience shape you as an actor?
It was inspiring to see art being created on such a high level. This film really opened my mind up to what is possible. Sofia is a calm and strong director who knows exactly what she wants. She created such a beautiful environment. I found every aspect of this experience to be next level. It was very exciting and makes me want to keep going, and keep doing more!

You played P.A. Bonnie in The Boys—what was it like joining such a fan-favorite, high-energy series?
I’d say a 10 out of 10 experience. If you can find your way into The Boys, I’d highly recommend it. Also, the fans are so fun! I’ve never experienced a reaction to a scene like that before. It was thrilling to see how the fans reacted to the slap scene online. Haven’t heard the Internet go crazy over a slap like that since the Oscars!

You’ve worked on both television and film. Do you prefer one medium over the other, and if so, why?
Tough to say! As my career goes on, I might change my mind or learn to appreciate things differently. But for now, I’d say I’m most excited to explore more films. I love the idea of intensely diving into a life or story for a period of time, then moving on, and diving into the next. I’d like to experience as many different lives as I can.

Can you share any behind-the-scenes moments from Priscilla or The Boys that were particularly memorable for you?
I loved rehearsing as well as shooting the slap scene in The Boys with PJ Byrne. First off, he’s hilarious. But also the scene itself was wild and so absurd. It was a challenge to keep a straight face, and not break character. Every now and then though, PJ would throw in an adlib and I’d struggle to keep it together.

Your role in DOC introduces you to a medical drama setting. How did you prepare for the role of Nurse Liz?
I started with reading a summarized guide of the fundamentals of nursing. I will be honest and say I did not retain very much of it! However, it gave me an idea of the breadth of knowledge a nurse is required to know. From there, I chatted with others in the field and asked them lots of questions about the job. I asked about their day to day, but also about the specifics of certain medical cases that were in each episode. I tried my best to understand what was going on medically, so that I could feel like I believed the situation of each scene.

You recently ventured into producing with The Butchers. What inspired you to explore production, and do you see yourself directing in the future?
My partner, Chad Andrews, inspired me to try producing! He is an actor as well, and this was his first short film. Watching him fall more in love with the process of filmmaking was really inspiring and I asked to jump aboard his project. I owe it all to him! And as for directing, I’m certainly open to it! If there is a story I want to tell, I would absolutely love to try my hand at it.

What can audiences expect from your upcoming independent films Lucky Star and His Father’s Son?
What I love about these films is that they are both complex family dramas. These are some of my favourite movies to watch. Lucky Star centres around a father who is struggling with his reignited gambling addictions, and we see how the different family dynamics are affected by his choices. And in His Father’s Son, the family receives news of an unexpected inheritance, and this begins to unravel the family. Both are compelling family dramas. If that is your kind of movie, I’d recommend adding them to your watchlist!

Beyond acting, you enjoy film photography and traveling. How do these hobbies influence your creative process?
I love having creative hobbies that ignite a spark in me, but also don’t add any pressure. With film, I get to explore how to capture a moment and feeling through photography. When I’m travelling, I’m always trying to see how I can visually capture that experience. I always hope my photo collections feel like a little story!

You’ve worked on diverse projects across genres. Are there any dream roles or directors you’d love to collaborate with?
Right now, it would be the easiest yes to working with Mark Mylod or Ruben Ostlund. There are so many others on the list, but as for how I’m feeling today, I’ll say these two!

What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are looking to break into the industry?
Settle in and enjoy the ride! It’s a long journey for all of us, so get comfy. Don’t expect things to happen tomorrow. But also if they did, you’d miss all the fun if it happened that quick. To quote Miley, ‘it’s the climb!’