CHARLENE McKENNAPlays the character JoJo in the RTÉ TV drama, 'Raw'.
What was your first ever role as an actor?I had a really small part in a production of Oklahomawhen I was about 11. I don't even remember if my character had a name. It was probably something in the chorus, which was unfortunate because I can't sing at all! I moved on then to youth theatre in Monaghan.
You've been pretty ubiquitous on television screens in Ireland of late.My first break, I suppose, was landing a role in the film Breakfast in Pluto. It was a small part, but it got me a lot of auditions. Then I got Pure Mulefor RTÉ, which was my big break, because I had the lead role and it did so well. Then I did [rural cop drama] Single Handed, which was great fun. I was playing a really upbeat, playful character.
In contrast then, your part in 'Whistleblower' was obviously a much more serious role.Yeah, that was very challenging. The subject matter was obviously very, very sensitive. I really wanted to do it justice, because I was representing a lot of real women there and a lot of real lives. I know that some of those women have since come out and praised the programme, so I'm very proud of that.
How long have you been based in London?On and off for a few years now. I've actually been in the process of moving here for about three years, but I kept getting work back home. I'm solidly committed to moving this time, though.
What kind of roles have you been auditioning for?I'm lucky because I've got a brilliant agent who gets me in the door for everything. You're constantly after, you know, the big movie. You get these scripts and you get excited and you wonder: "What are the chances of me actually getting this?" I recently got shortlisted for the new Will Ferrell film, for example. Unfortunately, in the end I lost out to Anna Friel.
Did you get to read with Will Ferrell?No, that would have been the next step. When you get into that league, you start losing out to some very big names. They went and got Anna Friel - what can you do? But it's great to be even swimming in that pond. As my boyfriend says, you only need to get one [big role] and you're away!
Looking at your CV, you seem never to have been out of work at all.Not really, no. I've been quite lucky in that respect. At this stage, I have the luxury of being able to choose my jobs carefully, rather than having to rush out and take whatever I'm offered. All the same, the thumbs do start twiddling occasionally. But, as I said, I've been very lucky. The body of work that I've done, the Irish productions that have come my way in particular, have been very good.
If you could have any director on the other end of the phone looking for you, who would it be?Well, if it could absolutely anyone, it'd have to be one of the greats - Steven Spielberg or Woody Allen - just to get into their heads, to see what it's like working with them. Tim Burton is another director I just think would be just so interesting to deal with, one-on-one.
You're still appearing on our screens in 'Raw' on RTÉ 1 on Monday nights.Yeah, my character JoJo is a real "punch first, ask questions later" sort of girl. She was a lot of fun to play, after having two very serious roles to play in other things, back-to-back. I think it's very well shot and the cast is brilliant.
There's a genuine chemistry between us as people, which I think comes across on screen. That said, I don't want to get overexposed in Ireland, so it'll probably be my last television role there for a while. I'll give people back home a break from looking at me now, so they don't get sick at the sight of me!
