Rhian Blundell, an actress, known for her role as Meredith in the upcoming series “Vampire Academy” and as Jenny in “Nobody Girl.” She has also voiced characters for several audiobooks including “Corpse Day” in the Torchwood audio series and “The Dread of Night” in the audio anthology “The Seventh Doctor: The New Adventures: Volume One.“

Tell us about your role in “Vampire Academy?”
I play Meredith Beckham, who is a Guardian Novice. She’s a Dhampir, which means she’s half human and half vampire. Dhampir’s are also the lower class in this society. Meredith is in the top of her class but where she can hold her own in a fight her real skill is her smarts. She’s quick thinking and analytical. She’s also very sarcastic and brutally honest, even more so when she cares. She’s a lot of fun to play.

How did you prepare for it?
My prep for the role only really started when we got to Spain. It was such a quick turn around when I was cast that I literally had a couple of weeks before we were flying out. The real preparation for the Guardian’s came when we started training with the stunt team. Their physical skill is such an integral part of who the guardians are, both within themselves and in the space they occupy within this world, that it became a big part of how we got into these characters' heads.

**Left:**
Red Suit byZara
Red Bodysuit with Gloves by Hello Curalli
Vegan Pumps by Suveria
**Right:**
Blue Cutout Top by Ciara Chyanne
Blue Pants by Zara
Vegan Pumps by Suveria

Before this successful series, how long had you started your career?
I’m not sure there is a real answer to this question. I have asked it to myself. I remember in my late teens I would go to open auditions that I never booked, but maybe it was then? Then I went to drama school so maybe it was right after that? But then not long after I left drama school we went into lockdown and the industry shut down for two years so maybe it was at the end of that? I don’t know. Depends on people's personal definition of when your career starts. Maybe it's the moment you decide you’re an actor.

Do you think that the character in this show is representative of your personality in real life and if not, tell us more about yourself ?
I think a lot of Meredith is whom I want to be. She’s definitely braver than I am, she’s definitely a lot more self-assured than I am, and she’s a lot more confident in her abilities then I am. The sarcasm and brutal honesty we definitely both share. Often to both of our detriment. She’s also a bit of a flirt and I couldn’t possibly comment on that for myself.

**Left:**
Blue Suit, and Blouse by Zara
Vegan Pumps by Suveria
**Right:**
White blazer by Armani Exchange

Do you plan to stay in this kind of series or move on to totally different series and movies for the rest of your career ?
I’ll keep telling Meredith’s story for as long as they’ll have me. There’s so much to her that’s not come out yet and I hope I’m lucky enough to tell that tale. This was my first TV job and I never expected to love it just as much as I did. I’ve never had such a long span of time to explore a character and to see them in so many different scenarios. It was honestly an actor's dream.

As for the rest of my career I just want to try as many different things as possible. A good script is a good script and a good character is a good character. I just hope I’m lucky enough to go for the work I want to do, whatever medium it might fall into.

What was the hardest thing for you in this show regarding your character or the scenes to play?
The hardest thing about playing her was also the best part about playing her. She has a hell of a lot going on under the surface. She’s always holding her cards pretty close to her chest. Her jokes, bravado, and eye rolls are definitely a mask for her, she’s hiding a lot. It was me playing a character who is playing a bit of a character. She was so much fun. Meredith really has my whole heart. I’ll defend her to the bitter end.

**Left:**
White Blazer by Armani Exchange
**Right:**
Red Suit by Zara
Red Bodysuit with Gloves by Hello Curalli
Vegan Pumps by Suveria

What are your favorite things about filming or about the characters you have played?
My favorite thing about filming are those moments where everything starts to click in a scene. When you're in the take and you can feel that connection with the other performers and the electricity that just sparks. It’s really hard to describe but you really feel it when everyone is present and alive. You see that giddiness in everyone's eyes.

And as for the characters I’ve played, I never seem to play quiet people. I don’t know what I should read into that! But yeah, I’ve always been lucky enough to play big personalities and they’re always so much fun. And I love it when I learn something through my character. Everyone I’ve played has taught me something.

What is the movie or series you would have dreamed of being in?
There are honestly too many to mention. The quality of the series being produced at the minute is incredible. It’s too hard to choose. I was brought up watching all those really classic, old school fantasy films like “Ladyhawke,” “Legend,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Willow,” etc. so maybe one of those for the kid in me. I always wanted to be a Ghos

**Left:**
Blue Cutout Top by Ciara Chyanne
Blue Pants by Zara
Vegan Pumps by Suveria
**Right:**
Red Suit by Zara
Red Bodysuit with Gloves by Hello Curalli
Vegan Pumps by Suveria

Describe a typical day of shooting.
Vampires being vampires meant that we shot almost solidly at night. So typically for the Dhampir’s we would be picked up early in the afternoon and head to work with the stunt team for a couple of hours. Either on a specific sequence you had coming up or just general fight techniques. Then you would head to set. If we were shooting at Saint Vladimir’s this would be about an hour's drive but we shot in so many cool locations all around Northern Spain so it could be longer. Once we’d get to set I’d have my first of many, many coffees of the night. Then hair and make-up. I had very minimal makeup but I did have extensions to make my hair even bigger and longer. Next you get in costume and you’d have a bit of time to either be professional and warm up for any action sequences and go through lines or you could go and annoy your fellow castmates. I did more of the second than I care to admit. And then we head to set. There really was no typical day from this point on as the show is so full of action and we shot in so many places that it was completely different from day to day. We were kept on our toes for sure.

How does it feel to see yourself on a screen once the series is out?
I always have to detach myself from the character I see on screen, or anything I see myself do. It’s so rewarding to see what you’ve all been working on for so long come together. Seeing my friends work is the most amazing experience. But not so much with me.

One of the things I love about acting is just losing myself in someone else, that person’s joy, fears, and disgust. All their glorious mess. As soon as I start to watch myself I see my own demons starting to creep back. So, I will watch my performances back because you need to learn from them but I don’t enjoy them and I will try to avoid them when I can. Kills the magic.

**Left:**
Blue Suit, and Blouse by Zara
Vegan Pumps by Suveria
**Right:**
Red Tulle Gown by House of Mua Mua

What are your future plans for your career?
My main plan is never to get complacent. This industry is tough. It’s both huge and tiny at the same time. No one is guaranteed anything. I’d like to keep surprising people. The actors whom I’ve grown up aspiring to be like never seem to fall into the same characters twice. They always seem to make audiences do that double take of wait, that’s them? I’d love to do that. Surprise everyone else and surprise myself. And I’d love to write. I’ve written for stage before, but I’d love to go behind the camera and see the story unfold from that side of things.

Social Media.
Instagram: @rhiblundell
Twitter: @blundellrhian

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Sequoia Emmanuelle
Talent: Rhian Blundell
Fashion Stylist: Pooch Styles
Hair + Makeup: Tammy Yi for Exclusive Artists using R&CO + About Face Makeup
Tearsheets: Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview: Sienna Ropert , Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine