Joely Richardson relishes family role

(Cover) - EN Movies - Joely Richardson is excited to “get a crack” at a role that both her mother and late sister have played.

The actress is starring in upcoming theatre production The Lady from the Sea. Both her mother Vanessa Redgrave and late sister Natasha Richardson have played the part of central character Ellida.

Despite some initial reservations about the part, Joely felt exhilarated to follow in her family’s footsteps.

"If I'm completely honest, of course I was aware when Stephen [Unwin, director] offered me the role, that it probably wasn't a super-intelligent choice. People will say my mother did it, my sister did it. Individually you don't want to attract obvious comparisons, but it's a little bit more complicated,” she told British newspaper The Independent.

“There's the level on which I thought it wasn't necessarily a smart move because it invites comparison. On the other hand, I feel really excited that I get a crack at a really great role that happens to be a role they also played. Thirdly – and this is the big one – I'm not a 24-year-old just coming into the business, struggling to find my way.

"I'm really excited about it at the moment, and strangely fearless. You go up in flames, you go up in flames."

Joely is famed for her role as Julia McNamara in Nip/Tuck.

The star doesn’t worry that she’s become too synonymous with the long-standing role.

"I don't know if everyone feels this but I feel that when your experience is over [of a character] you almost delete the file. You can remember it, but vaguely,” she said.

“I got really addicted to Mad Men and to True Blood... I love those shows.

“If I went to see Jon Hamm in a play, I'd be thinking of him in Mad Men before the play. I don't think that's a bad thing, it's just completely natural because that's how we've been exposed to people."

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