Known for her role of Porunn in TV show Vikings, we’ve also seen French actress Gaïa Weiss in La Révolution on Netflix or in video game Assassin’s Creed. Narcisse sat down with her in Paris, as she’s currently shooting TV show « Marie-Antoinette » for Canal +, to talk about her career, origins and upcoming projects.

  • Hi Gaïa, how are you?

    I’m good thanks! I’m totally immersed in the world of Marie Antoinette at the moment. Spending all my time in 18th century castles with carriages and horses. It’s always bizarre to come back to a different reality.

  • Have you always wanted to be an actress?

    I first wanted to become a professional ballet dancer. But when I was told at 14 I didn’t have the right body for it, I questioned my passion for it and realised I felt a certain freedom on stage, I was getting a thrill from it. I naturally drifted towards theatre [...]

  • After that, you studied theatre...

    Yes, after that I went to drama school. If you want to go down that path, you have to learn your craft, get the tools. I started at the Cours Florent where I was noticed by French actor Francis Huster who hired me in his theatre company, and I then entered the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on stage now.

  • Really? Don’t you miss it?

    I miss the immediate connection with the audience. In theatre you’re in control of what you give to the crowd. Nobody is there to frame it a certain way or edit your work. It’s more raw. I’m addicted to the rush of adrenaline before going on stage.

  • Hi Gaïa, how are you?

    I’m good thanks! I’m totally immersed in the world of Marie Antoinette at the moment. Spending all my time in 18th century castles with carriages and horses. It’s always bizarre to come back to a different reality.

  • Have you always wanted to be an actress?

    I first wanted to become a professional ballet dancer. But when I was told at 14 I didn’t have the right body for it, I questioned my passion for it and realised I felt a certain freedom on stage, I was getting a thrill from it. I naturally drifted towards theatre [...]

  • After that, you studied theatre...

    Yes, after that I went to drama school. If you want to go down that path, you have to learn your craft, get the tools. I started at the Cours Florent where I was noticed by French actor Francis Huster who hired me in his theatre company, and I then entered the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Arts. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on stage now.

  • Really? Don’t you miss it?

    I miss the immediate connection with the audience. In theatre you’re in control of what you give to the crowd. Nobody is there to frame it a certain way or edit your work. It’s more raw. I’m addicted to the rush of adrenaline before going on stage.

  • Why did you begin to act in English?

    I followed opportunities, life happened. I grew up spending a lot of time in London. By the time I went to drama school I started receiving job offers, first Mary Queen of Scots, then The Legend of Hercules, and then everything followed. I got an agent there and didn’t come back to Paris until recently.

  • How did the adventure of Vikings begin?

    I had just finished shooting The Legend of Hercules and got an audition for Vikings which turned out well. When my character arrived season 2 the show wasn’t as famous as it is now. You rarely know in advance how big the project is going to get. I do it for the love of the craft, if I feel like there are new horizons for me to explore as an actress, and if the part will be fun for me to play. I’m really grateful for the doors Vikings opened for me.

  • Marianne, Assassin’s Creed, Vikings... A lot of your roles are related to war. Is it important for you to play a warrior woman?

    I wouldn’t say it’s important for me to play warriors, but I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to play strong and empowered characters. For a while I was given fighter parts which was a lot of fun, I love doing my own stunts, and being in the midst of the action. But it’s also nice to drift away from it, and do something a bit different. That’s what acting is all about.

  • Like horror movies, with Shepherd?

    I’ve recently had a horror movie phase. I was always slightly afraid of it as I’m not a big fan of the genre. But Mathieu Turi managed to convince me with the beautiful part of Lisa in Meander which brought us a lot of recognition and many awards. It was a life changing adventure for me. And now with Shepherd, a beautiful psychological drama in which I play alongside Tom Hughes, which has been selected at the London Film Festival. I really admire the work of Russell Owen and it was such a thrill to be able to work with him. It’s out in the UK November 12th, I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

  • Why did you begin to act in English?

    I followed opportunities, life happened. I grew up spending a lot of time in London. By the time I went to drama school I started receiving job offers, first Mary Queen of Scots, then The Legend of Hercules, and then everything followed. I got an agent there and didn’t come back to Paris until recently.

  • How did the adventure of Vikings begin?

    I had just finished shooting The Legend of Hercules and got an audition for Vikings which turned out well. When my character arrived season 2 the show wasn’t as famous as it is now. You rarely know in advance how big the project is going to get. I do it for the love of the craft, if I feel like there are new horizons for me to explore as an actress, and if the part will be fun for me to play. I’m really grateful for the doors Vikings opened for me.

  • Marianne, Assassin’s Creed, Vikings... A lot of your roles are related to war. Is it important for you to play a warrior woman?

    I wouldn’t say it’s important for me to play warriors, but I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to play strong and empowered characters. For a while I was given fighter parts which was a lot of fun, I love doing my own stunts, and being in the midst of the action. But it’s also nice to drift away from it, and do something a bit different. That’s what acting is all about.

  • Like horror movies, with Shepherd?

    I’ve recently had a horror movie phase. I was always slightly afraid of it as I’m not a big fan of the genre. But Mathieu Turi managed to convince me with the beautiful part of Lisa in Meander which brought us a lot of recognition and many awards. It was a life changing adventure for me. And now with Shepherd, a beautiful psychological drama in which I play alongside Tom Hughes, which has been selected at the London Film Festival. I really admire the work of Russell Owen and it was such a thrill to be able to work with him. It’s out in the UK November 12th, I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Photographer CLEMENT DEZELUS @clementdezelus // Creative Director AZADEH ZORAGHI @azadehzoraghi // Stylist CLEMENT LOMELLINI @clementlomellini // MakeUp MEGUMI ITANO @megumitanomakeup @callisteagency // Hair ALAN ANTOINE @alanantoinehair // Photo team @zoecavaro, @elviratiaou & @bettinanuwendam