It’s the morning after the Oscars and Sarah Cabrera joined us on Zoom while she was out and about and on the move in London, England, excited to talk to us about all things film and television.
The actor, who is set to voice “Lola the British Dog” in the upcoming season of the award-winning animated YouTube series, The High Meows, opened up to us about her dream acting roles, her love for independent films, her celebrity doppelgangers, and when she originally got hit with the performance bug.
“It’s cold here today, but the sun is shining, which for us is a huge bonus.” Sarah says, with a wry smile, wearing her hair in a high-top bun, her bright, smiling face framed by giant pink glasses. She has a breezy and self-deprecating conversational style and a warmth that makes her very easy to talk to. No wonder she’s a successful actor!
In the next season of The High Meows, Cabrera’s Lola shares her love for globetrotting with her curious kitty friends, Tiger and Minette, as they embark on their most surprising adventure yet. It turns out, the role of Lola is a perfect fit for Cabrera, and not just because she’s British…
“I’m a huge fan of animation, so landing this role is a bucket list win for me”, Sarah says. When asked if she had seen the Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature, the independent Latvian film Flow, she said “Flow is truly magnificent. It’s a feel-good film that also makes you think and has real depth. I also loved The Wild Robot for some of the same reasons; beautiful animation with a big heart.” She also mentioned one more of the Animated feature nominees. “I’m really excited to watch Memoir of a Snail – I think it’s going to be another deep feeling film with a distinctive animation style.”
Cabrera’s first major film role was in the independent film Inbetween. Cabrera also appeared alongside Denise Gough (Andor) in Outlanders and on Amazon Prime Video in The Last Heist. We asked Sarah how she feels about independent films being so successful during awards season these days instead of the studio films from the past dominating the nominees and winners?
“If I’m honest, I love all movies, but I do truly love indie films. I got my first big break in an independent film, so it’s fabulous to see the success of the sharp, smart, independent films like Anora, The Substance, and The Brutalist take center stage on Hollywood’s biggest night. I’m a huge fan of Mike Leigh’s work as well, and I’m very fond of so many of the great independent filmmakers out there who continue to push the envelope to tell stories that matter. I also love going to the cinema, as that’s where movies were truly meant to be seen, and independent films are always made with that goal in mind.
You have been fortunate to have worked in all genres – stage, screen, and now voice over. Is there a type of character you’re itching to play?
“It has always been a dream of mine to play Wednesday in the Addams Family, but I think the ship has likely sailed for me on that one, unfortunately. [Laughs.] I’ve always been taken by ALL of the roles that Helena Bonham Carter plays, especially Mrs. Lovett from Sweeney Todd and all of her roles in the Tim Burton films. Ms. Carter has had such a rich and varied career, and I hope that I’m on my way down a similar path with the roles that I’ve been choosing for myself. Like her, I’m really drawn to dark and quirky roles.
Speaking of Helena Bonham Carter, do people say you look alike? We do notice a resemblance. Is she the celebrity you’re most often told that you look like?
“All the time! In drama school, people would always say, oh you look like a young Helena Bonham Carter. When I was starting out, I would tell myself that, if it wasn’t for Helena Bonham Carter, I’d have been cast in that role. Ridiculous, I know! [Laughs.] I hope there’s a world where I get to play her sister in something fun! I also get told I look like Angelina Jolie a lot by my friends and strangers. I’ve gotten Emilia Clarke and Adriana Lima before, too. I always take these as wonderful compliments. Oh, and I met Will.i.am once years ago, and he told me that I reminded him of a brunette Pamela Anderson. I’m not mad at any of the references, as they are all talented and beautiful women.”
So, we can’t help but notice, and we know we won’t be the first, or the last, to point this out to you, but your name rhymes…
“Yes, I get that a lot! I very rarely get called just “Sarah” on its own. People love to say my full name so they can hear it rhyme! I’m used to it by now, but it’s always fun when new people catch on to the game.”
Let’s finish with a fun fact. We just found out that you started your career on the ice as a professionally trained figure skater. Tell us more!
“All true! I started taking skating lessons around 6 years old. I really fell in love with the performance aspect of it all. I found it magical. My mother, also a skater, would take my brother and I to the rink two to three times a week. My brother John was my dance partner for a while, but he soon quit after I announced we could be the next Torvill and Dean [Laughs.] I was a massive fan. Still am! I was pretty serious about it, because it was my when I realized I truly loved performing, which later led me to acting. I’m so thankful to have had these outlets to experience different areas of performance at an early age because that really was my dream, to be a performer. Acting is my life now and I’m so very grateful that my passion is my job.”
Sarah, this has been a delight! Thanks for catching up with us today while you were On The Move!
Written in partnership with Tom White
