Nosferatu casting director 'didn't think Lily-Rose Depp could act'
Casting director Kharmel Cochrane has been candid about her views on Lily-Rose Depp before she auditioned for Nosferatu (Picture: Focus Features via AP)
Nosferatu's casting director has admitted she was adamantly against giving Lily-Rose Depp a main role in the horror movie because she 'couldn't act'.
The 25-year-old French American actress has been establishing her own name as an actress in Hollywood, separately to that of her famous parents – Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp, 61, and French musician and actress Vanessa Paradis, 52.
She's appeared in films including Voyagers, Silent Night and Netflix's The King, opposite Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson, as well as taking the lead role in The Weeknd's much-maligned HBO TV series The Idol in 2023, which garnered the most attention of her career to that date.
But British casting director Kharmel Cochrane, who worked on Robert Eggers' atmospheric vampire flick, has revealed Depp's acting talents had left her far from convinced initially.
Discussing how she has been 'an opinionated person from day one' in her chosen profession – 'I was the assistant who wouldn't make tea' – Cochrane revealed that she was not afraid to admit when she was wrong.
'With Nosferatu, I was like, 'Absolutely no way to Lily-Rose Depp'. I didn't think she could act. I hadn't seen anything that I thought could show she could act,' Cochrane told the audience, including Metro, at the Sands International Film Festival of St Andrews at a talk on Saturday.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page
Next Page
Cochrane, 38, was initially sceptical over Depp's acting, but revealed she texted her afterwards to apologise (Picture: Getty)
'And I'm not even bothered by the nepotism thing; I think that's a whole other conversation.
'And then she auditioned, and I had to text her and say, 'I'm sorry, I was wrong' – because I was, and I've got no shame in saying if I'm not right,' the industry professional added.
Depp went on to garner some of the best reviews of her career so far in Nosferatu, a remake of the classic 1922 silent film, where she played Ellen Hutter, a young woman tortured by a psychic connection to the evil, demonic and Dracula-esque vampire, Count Orlok (an unrecognisable Bill Skarsgård).
As well as inspiring Oscar talk, the actress also impressed fans with her intense physical acting during scenes where she was writhing and thrashing around on her bed, possessed by Orlok.
Depp (pictured R, with Willem Dafoe) was roundly praised by critics for her performance in the Robert Eggers' vampire horror film (Picture: Focus Features via AP)
Cochrane also spoke about other 'weird conversations' she's had behind the scenes when casting projects, which include Saltburn, Warfare and A Quiet Place: Day One, as well as giving Anya Taylor-Joy her breakthrough role in 2015's The Witch – also directed by Nosferatu's Robert Eggers, a key collaborator for the casting director.
'Morfydd Clark, when we cast her in Saint Maud, somebody who shall not be named said basically on my head be it. And I was like, 'Okay, yeah, Fine'. And she was great!'
Discussing the moment she decided casting was the career for her, Cochrane revealed that she had championed another young British acting talent in the past.
Morfydd Clark, who stars in Prime Video's budget-busting The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, was an actress Cochrane went to bat for in another film (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The casting director's other credits include Warfare and Saltburn (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Rex/Shutterstock)
'There was a role for an Asian boy, and I'd been watching the Skins. So I said, 'Oh, there's this guy, Dev Patel'.
'And with commercials, you didn't really get in touch with film actors, it's such a separate thing. And they auditioned Dev and another actor, and they gave it to the other actor – big mistake – and suddenly I was like, 'Oh, I had an opinion and someone listened to it'.
'Then I kind of connected the dots and was like, so this is going to be how it works.'
Upcoming projects that Cochrane has cast include Emerald Fennell's much-discussed adaptation of Wuthering Heights, as well as Lena Dunham's next project, Good Sex starring Natalie Portman, and Kristen Stewart's directorial debut The Chronology of Water, which is set to premiere at Cannes Film Festival next month.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Arrow MORE: 13 of the highest-rated horror films on Rotten Tomatoes to haunt your nightmares
Arrow MORE: Horror fans near tears after spotting subtle tribute in iconic 90s reboot
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Disney+ deal cuts subscription price to £1.99 - but you'll need to act fast
Disney+ deal cuts subscription price to £1.99 - but you'll need to act fast The Disney+ deal is available to both new and returning customers, but won't be around for long - here's everything you need to know including how to get the offer The streamer has brought back it's cheaper price (Image: Getty ) Disney+ has reintroduced a highly sought-after streaming deal, offering subscriptions for £1.99. The streaming giant has launched a 'limited-time promotion' that provides a 60% saving compared to the regular price. The offer lets new and returning customers subscribe to Disney+ Standard with Ads for £1.99 a month, a deal which will last for four months. Ordinarily, this would amount to £19.96 in total, but it's currently available for only £7.96 – a saving of £12. However, this bargain won't be available indefinitely and is set to finish on June 30. Following the four-month promotional period, Disney+ Standard with Ads will automatically renew at the prevailing monthly retail price unless cancelled. This deal puts Disney+ as the cheapest big streaming site, even when compared to the lowest subscription tiers of Netflix (£5.99), Amazon's Prime Video (£5.99) and Apple TV+ (£8.99). The timing of this offer coincides with an exciting summer schedule of new and returning films and series, headlined by the Disney blockbuster Snow White, which is currently available for streaming. Other releases slated for this summer include Marvel's Ironheart (June 25), season four of The Bear (June 26) and the new prequel series Alien: Earth (August 13). These additions will further enrich an already extensive library featuring recent hits and critically acclaimed series such as Andor, Welcome to Wrexham, Rivals, Only Murders in the Building and Shōgun, reports the Mirror. Get Disney+ for £1.99 a month £1.99 Disney+ Buy Here Product Description Disney+ has brought back its popular deal that lets new and returning customers join its Standard with Ads plan for £1.99 per month for four months. For £1.99, subscribers can access a wealth of entertaining content, including Stolen Girl, Good American Family, and the second season of the hit reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. While some may worry about ads disrupting their viewing experience, Disney+ has limited commercials to an average of less than four minutes per hour, fewer than traditional TV broadcasts. Additionally, ads are only shown before a movie begins, not during the actual screening. Those willing to commit to a full year upfront on the Standard or Premium plan will essentially receive two months free. By opting for an annual subscription, users can enjoy 12 months of access for the price of 10, saving up to £25.98 in the process. This upgrade also includes superior video quality, with up to 4K UHD and HDR, as well as the ability to stream on four devices at once. Members of Disney+ have expressed their satisfaction with the service on Trustpilot, with one reviewer stating: "Offering a fantastic and constantly updated collection." Another fan raved about the addition of new content, stating: "I love Disney+. I'm a Star Wars and Marvel fan but since the addition of Starz it boosted my love, there's even more content for adults now that's worth it all round." Article continues below However, this same reviewer felt the service fell slightly short, commenting: "The only reason it didn't get five stars is Disney are not using their other brands in the subscription. If they did this, it could easily be the best subscription service ever, but there is much more content locked behind their own service." Yet another glowing five-star review reads: "Good servers, good services, this nostalgia when watching old cartoons from TV. The subscription is really cheap compared to other streaming services."
Time Out
4 hours ago
- Time Out
How Bangkok taught Lounys rhythm and contrast
555. No, not the number – though it might as well be the punchline. It's how we laugh in Thai: ha ha ha. It's also how Lounys, a French-Algerian artist now living in Bangkok, occasionally sneaks humour into his work – a wink to the absurd, a code-switch between languages, cultures and emotions. Born in Paris with Algerian and Berber roots, Lounys is what happens when you fold a handful of cities into one mind: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, a few stops across Europe and now Thailand. His art has appeared across Bangkok, cropping up in galleries and pop-up shows like visual outbursts – provocative, dense, unfiltered. Drawing on satirical cartoons and caricatures, Lounys sketches out modern survival as a warped spectacle. Political figures are stretched, social archetypes distorted, but always with a knowing eye. There's something dreamlike in his method – automatic, compulsive, channelling the spirit of 1920s surrealism while humming with the colour-fuelled energy of pop art. We asked him a few questions, naturally – about the move, the city, the sprawl of it all. He tells us he's adapting to Bangkok, slowly. The food, the pace, the people. Bangkok: too hot to hold, too alive to ignore – just like his work. Looking back, how would you describe the different chapters of your artistic journey so far? What felt like turning points along the way? 'My journey's been instinctive – no map, no mentor, just motion. One chapter was solitude, another dialogue. The shift came when I stopped chasing the art world and started building my own. That's when it all began to find me.' You've spent years creating in Bangkok – how has the city shaped the way you think, see and make art? ' Bangkok taught me rhythm and contrast. It's chaotic, spiritual, neon and decaying all at once. That tension fed into my work. I learned to follow instinct and embrace imperfection, like the city does.' 'In Bangkok, sacred and pop blend so easily it never feels like a clash.' Are there moments, corners or textures in Bangkok that you keep returning to in your work? 'Yes – torn posters, rusted gates, soi dogs asleep in shrines, temples wrapped in scaffolding. I'm drawn to what's overlooked. It speaks to time, to resilience. I don't copy it exactly, but the texture, the spirit, slips into my work.' How has your relationship with the city's art scene changed since you first started out? ' When I arrived, I felt outside of everything – an observer. But by constantly creating and showing up, I found my rhythm. Now I feel part of a parallel current – not fully in the 'mainstream', but visible and supported by local creatives and international eyes.' What shifts have you noticed within the local creative community – whether in spirit, structure or support? ' There's more boldness now. Young artists aren't waiting for permission – they're experimenting, self-organising, making space without asking. Things feel more open, more horizontal. But there's also a hunger for meaning, not just noise.' 'The future belongs to those who create it themselves, on their own terms, with integrity and courage.' From my understanding, your work often weaves tradition into the contemporary – how do you navigate that mix in a place like Bangkok, where the past and present constantly collide? ' Tradition isn't fixed – it moves. I let that mix happen on its own, sometimes as a gesture, a texture or a symbol that slips in.' Do you sense a move towards newer, more experimental forms in Bangkok's art spaces? If so, where do you see your work in that mix? 'Definitely. There's a real openness now to cross-genre and multi-sensory, even anti-art gestures. My work isn't experimental in form but in spirit. It's grounded in painting yet takes in collage, street energy, memory and sometimes scent or sound. I don't chase trends, I stay honest.' Bangkok sits at the edge of so many influences – how do you bring both Thai and global elements into your visual language without losing either? ' By staying present. I'm a guest here but live deeply in Thailand. My work absorbs everything – streets, galleries, talks, rituals – mixed with my North African roots. The key is letting it flow naturally, not forcing it.' Is art a space for you to reflect or respond to what's happening socially or politically in Thailand, or is it something more inward? ' For me, art is deeply personal but always connected. I don't illustrate politics, I process feeling. When a moment stirs me – joy or injustice – it finds its way into the work. Art lets me respond poetically, never didactically.' 'I hope the next generation holds on to the freedom and generosity that make the Thai scene so unique – the absence of ego, the spirit of play.' You can now step inside his world – not just as a spectator, but as a collaborator. In his workshops, held regularly with little fanfare, you're handed a curious task: paint within the lines he's taped onto canvas, lines that carry the unmistakable rhythm of his hand. Participants – kids, adults, anyone with a brush and a bit of curiosity – paint within the lines. Once the tape peels away, what's left is a quiet collision – your colour, his form. An unspoken conversation made visible. It's an invitation to loosen control and co-create, with no need for prior skill or pretension. For those intrigued, he's reachable via Line (@lounys) or Instagram DM (@lounys). And if you're more voyeur than participant, catch him live-painting at Bardo Social Bistro and Bar on June 28 – a glimpse into the process, raw and unscripted, unfolding in real time.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Aaron Rodgers reveals he was married during 2025 offseason
"Been a couple of months," Rodgers said after telling reporters he was, in fact, wearing a wedding ring. Rodgers did not provide any additional information about whom he had married. He previously indicated during an April appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" he was "in a serious relationship." Rodgers revealed in that same interview he was delaying a decision about his future due to personal matters. It is unclear whether the quarterback's wedding was among those personal matters, but the 41-year-old explained to McAfee that he had "people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff." Here's what to know about Rodgers' wedding and to whom he was married. Who is Aaron Rodgers' wife? Rodgers has not yet revealed the identity of his wife. Rodgers last publicly mentioned having a girlfriend in a December 2024 episode of "The Pat McAfee Show." He said her name was "Brittani," clarifying she spelled her name with an "I." It isn't clear whether she is the woman Rodgers married during the 2025 offseason. Aaron Rodgers previous relationships Rodgers previously dated a handful of celebrities, including actress Olivia Munn, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and actress Shailene Woodley, to whom he was briefly engaged. Rodgers lamented in the Netflix series "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma" how public those relationships were. "I didn't do myself any favors with some of the girls I dated after that that were in the public eye," Rodgers said. As such, he appears happy to keep his marriage on the down-low.
