Kiwi actor Morgana O’Reilly is a familiar face on New Zealand screens where she’s best known for her role in Housebound (the directorial debut of M3GAN director Gerard Johnstone), stints on Neighbours and Wentworth and the excellent (and Emmy award-winning) lockdown show INSiDE, directed by husband Peter Salmon.
Later this year Morgana will jet off to Thailand to check into season 3 of White Lotus alongside Parker Posey and Michelle Monaghan, in what is sure to tip her name into cult-like status a la Haley Lu Richardson and Alexandra Daddario.
Before that, Morgana will be seen on screen in Bookworm, a feature film shot in Canterbury and set for release late 2024, alongside Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher. For those wanting an IRL interaction with Morgana’s star before it shines too bright to touch, we highly recommend catching her acclaimed one-person show Stories About My Body, which is being performed at the glorious Hamilton Gardens as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa on March 1. Tickets available here.
When was the last time you cried?
Laying in my comfy bed as my beautiful children sleep soundly in the other room, helplessly watching the parents and children of Gaza going through utter hell on social media.
When was the last time you danced?
I dance all the time! If there’s music, I’m dancing.
What was the last thing you bought and loved?
Two beautiful Tajette O’Halloran prints that are now framed in my hallway.
When was the last time you got really angry and what was it about?
We’ve been lucky enough to get away on some great holidays over summer, which means lots of packing and unpacking. It’s the inescapable chaotic period of packing when everything is everywhere just before order is restored that makes me angry. But more importantly, innocent civilians being killed by the tens of thousands and there being a debate about whether they’re allowed to do that or not. That gives me rage.
What’s the last piece of clothing you bought?
A simple linen summer dress that matches the colour of my eyes.
What’s the last beauty product you finished?
Emma Lewisham’s Skin Reset Serum.
When’s the last time you got drunk?
A couple of weeks ago, camping with friends in Tāwharanui. The news of my White Lotus role had gone public the week prior while I was stuck at home with Covid. So I finally got to let off some steam and celebrate with friends on a drizzly day crammed into a big tent, playing games, laughing and drinking ice cold riesling. Joy!
What was the last really delicious thing you ate?
A bowl of Kapiti Lush Lemon Delight yoghurt. Good goddess, it’s heaven.
The last song you listened to on Spotify?
A lip sync spectacular of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive for the kids over breakfast this morning. I was phenomenal. They were nonplussed.
The last book you finished?
I’m more of an audio book kind of gal. I last finished The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk. It blew my little mind.
The last TV show you watched?
Succession season 4 and Normal People. Both were ’chef’s kiss’.
The last DM/text you sent?
To my friend Ellie in Los Angeles, telling her I’d finally finished reading the whole Harry Potter series to my daughter Luna.
What’s the last fight you had?
I had a screaming match with a lady in the supermarket car park a few weeks ago. She picked an argument with me after I’d braved the supermarket with two kids on a hot day with food prices what they are, so stress levels were already running high.
She came hooning into the carpark and as she came closer to me and the kids she wasn’t easing up on the speed. I subtly suggested she slow down. She stopped abruptly, beeped loudly (did I mention we’re underground?), swerved into a car park then got out of her car and yelled at me ‘I WAS SLOWING DOWN!’. We then exchanged heated emotions.
I don’t know what she had been going through that day and I’m truly sorry I couldn’t take that into account at the time. I haven’t had a barney like that in a while. It was equal parts invigorating and yuck.
The last time you laughed so much your tummy hurt?
My husband and kids crack me up constantly.
What’s the last drug you took?
A slow release anti-inflammatory for my dicky neck. Boooooring!
When’s the last time you were home?
We move around for work and adventure a lot, but I always consider home to be where your linen cupboard is. We were living in Australia for 8 years, until Covid, and have come home to Tāmaki Makaurau where we live in the vibrant suburb of Sandringham.
