Freya Allanfeels like she was destined to play Princess Cirilla of Cintra on Netflix’sThe Witcher. Through three seasons, the young actress has earned plaudits for her portrayal of one of the most beloved characters fromAndrzej Sapkowski’s books, even making the case forher to be the leadas the show has run on. She’s since spun that into a fast-rising career with an upcoming starring role as Mae inKingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which itself follows the horror filmBaghead, which she led last year, and the star-studdedGunpowder Milkshake, where she appeared as the younger version ofKaren Gillan’s character. Before any of this became a reality, however, the road to playing Ciri was a roller coaster of emotion that nearly left her on the outside looking in, yet worked out in a way that felt like fate.
Ahead ofKingdom of the Planet of the Apesarriving in theaters next week, Allan sat down withPerri Nemirofffor an interview as part ofCollider Ladies Night, where they discussed everything fromThe WitcherSeason 4 to the latestApesinstallment fromWes Ball. At one point, she was asked about the audition process for the Netflix adaptation and her experience with the casting team as she formulated her take on Ciri. From the get-go, she already felt she looked the part of the Lion Cub of Cintra andcould bring her best traits to life. Moreover, her confidence was only bolstered by everyone on the team who directed her audition and helped her mold what would eventuallybecome the Ciri seen on-screen.
“Well, I Googled it before, and I thought, ‘Okay, I look quite like her,'” she said. “I feel like there were characteristics about her that I felt like I would be able to bring, so I was really excited. I went into that audition so prepared, and I came out, and they were just very welcoming and very warm, and good at giving direction.” Allan was riding high after the experience and felt like everything was coming together for her to nab that breakthrough role, buther hopes were quickly dashed by a single message sent to her mom.
“And usually, you don’t leave an audition feeling like, ‘I have a good feeling about this,’ and I actuallydid. Then my mum got this email saying that the studio was wanting to go in a different direction in terms of the way she looked, so I wasn’t that. It kind of broke my heart because I thought Iwasperfect for it, you know? Because so much is about everything aligning. You have to look right for it, you have to be the right age, all these things, and I thought it was all perfect, and then it wasn’t — for me.”
Freya Allan Knew She Was the Right Choice to Play Ciri
Fortunately, her journey toThe Witcherhad a happy ending. Before becoming Ciri, she had been in line to play another smaller role in the series because of the impression she made with her performance. That decision was quickly reversed, however, and her mother gave her the big news that she had another chance. From there,she knew that she was meant to embody the character, even as she still faced competition for the part.
“The casting people really liked me, and they were like, ‘We still want you in the show, so will you come and audition for this other character?’ So I did, and then they told me I got it. And then my mum showed up at my school one day, and instantly I knew, ‘They’ve changed their minds. They want to see me.’ I instantly knew. I was like, ‘Why has she showed up at my school?’ And she did, she came up to me, and she was like, ‘Freya, I’ve just got a call from your agent, and they want you to come in tomorrow for the role of Ciri. I just had to tell you! I had to come and pick you up and tell you,’ because she knew how much it had meant to me, and she’d been so supportive along the way. So yeah, I went in for Ciri again. I was up against one other person, and they gave me a big hug in the audition room, and I was like, ‘I feel like I got it.’ But then I had to wait, still, for it to all be confirmed, and then I found out the day before my birthday. It was amazing.”
The Witcherrecently entered production on Season 4and, for the first time, Allan won’t be acting oppositeHenry Cavill. In a controversial move,Liam Hemsworthwill take overfor the departedMan of Steelstar as Geralt of Rivia, leaving room for a new dynamic between the two characters. They’ll start separated, however, as the new episodes will see them facing a war-torn, demon-infested world with their respective groups. Ciri fell in with the Ratsat the end of Season 3and, as Allan said last year,she’ll embrace her darker sidea little more, creating complications for when she reunites with her adoptive parents, Geralt and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra).
Stay tuned here at Collider for more onThe WitcherSeason 4 as production continues and followour handy guidefor everything we know so far about the series’ return. Allan will next be seen inKingdom of the Planet of the Apes, whichpremieres in theaters on May 10. Keep an eye out for Nemiroff’s full interview with her for Collider Ladies Night.
The Witcher
Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.
