Emma Mackey: ‘Working with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on Barbie gave me hope for the future of cinema’

2023 is gearing up to be the biggest year of Emma Mackey’s career to date with a Bafta nomination under her belt and several exciting projects in the works.

Notably, it’s her appearance in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie that has many at the edge of their seats in anticipation as she joins forces with the silver screen’s biggest stars, such as Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell and Dame Helen Mirren.

As excitement builds for the film, as well as its premise which has been kept under lock and key, the Emily actress, 27, said working with the crème-de-la-crème of the industry has changed her outlook on film for the better.

“[Working on Barbie] changed my whole perception of things. It gave me hope again for cinema and making films,” she told The Standard.

“We all wanted to do our best for Greta, make her proud, make her laugh, make her smile and so having that kind of relationship with that dynamic on set was really pure.

“Everyone was on that set because they wanted to be there more than anything.”

Mackey admitted she too is in the dark about what to expect from the movie, and has “no idea” how the final edit will turn out but is looking forward to the public’s reaction.

She continued: “I am so excited to see it. I have no idea how it’s going to turn out, but if the experience on set was anything to go by, I think it’s going be pretty special.

“I’m just thrilled that I even got to work with those people.

“It might make absolutely zero sense, I think it will, but it will be a really wonderful celebration of cinema.”

The Netflix star described filming the summer blockbuster a “precious” experience, branding Gerwig, Gosling and Robbie, actors and filmmakers she has long admired, “caring, funny and super professional” individuals.

In particular, it was Robbie’s ability to multitask as both the lead and the film’s producer with ease that stuck with Mackey.

“Margot [Robbie] had this particularity of playing Barbie and then also producing the film,” she shared. “She’d be running in and out of dance rehearsals then going into budget meetings and costume fittings.

“It was so wonderful to see someone so completely in their element.”

And it seems Robbie’s ability to wear multiple hats on set has inspired Mackey as she looks to take on more producing roles, in the hope of bringing that same magic she had on the Barbie set to every project she works on going forward.

She said: “I’ve a lot to learn, and I’m a baby when it comes to all that stuff, but I’m really looking forward to seeing where it’s going to go and the collaboration is what is really exciting.”

“I just want people to feel hopeful about cinema I think because it’s easy to get swallowed up in it all. But I think if you find the right people to make films with, it reignites why you chose this job.”

Aside from her cinematic projects, Mackey is currently filming season four of Sex Education, the show that catapulted her into the spotlight back in 2019.

Although her character, Maeve Wiley, will taking more of a back seat this time around at Moordale High, she was thrilled to reunite with her co-stars Asa Butterfield, fellow Bafta Rising Star nominee Aimee Lou Wood, and Ncuti Gatwa, who also stars in Barbie.

She shared: “It’s been my school in so many ways. It’s kind of mad how close we [the cast] all are and how we’ve spent these last four or five years, growing up and learning about the industry together.

“It’s so nice having that body of people to rely on, bounce ideas off of and to cry or to listen to. It’s just a really singular thing that you don’t get in many jobs.

“I think it’s quite magical actually how it all kind of came together. I love them so much, they are my family.”

Mackey is one of five nominees for the EE Rising Star award at Sunday’s Baftas, alongside Naomi Ackie, Sheila Atim, Aimee Lou Wood, and Daryl McCormack.

Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be announced at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday ,February 19 on BBC One.