16/05/2025

Cate Blanchett answering questions at a Comic Con media conference

https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/Cate%20Blanchett_Gage%20Skidmore_CC%20licence_crop.jpg

Cate Blanchett on Parkinson

Claire Isaac

She’s arguably Australia’s most successful actress, the star of movies such as Elizabeth (Shekhar Kapur, 1998), The Aviator (Martin Scorsese, 2004) and Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen, 2013) with two Oscars and a host of other awards perched on her bookshelf. Indeed, even though she told reporters in April 2025 that she was planning to give up acting, our Queen Cate Blanchett is, and will always be, true blue Aussie movie royalty. A 2002 interview with the famous TV presenter Michael Parkinson gives insight into how Cate chooses roles and the creative fulfilment she receives from acting.

Poised on Parky

In this clip, a perfectly poised Cate is on Parkinson to promote the release of her movie Charlotte Gray (Gillian Armstrong, 2001). The responses of the then 33-year-old actor give some interesting insight into how she picks her roles, whether large or small. For example, she reveals her reason for taking the role of Petal in The Shipping News (Lasse Hallström, 2001) was her character’s line, ‘nibble, nibble, little mouse’. She later reveals that what actually draws her to a character or a script is that it’s 'unknowable'. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how one becomes a great actress.

Cate Blanchett interviewed by Michael Parkinson on Parkinson, 2002. NFSA title: 538924

As per normal for the iconic chat show, Cate is seated on a chair facing Parky during her interview, and there is no desk between them. This was a deliberate move away from the traditional American talk-show style – something Parkinson did to get rid of, as he said in his memoir Parky’s People (2010), 'the biggest obstacle to a proper interview'. In this case, it gives the interview a slightly retro feel – as does the purple set design and Parky’s somewhat fumbling interview style. Not that it mattered: Parkinson was hugely successful, and his talk show ran over 31 series across several TV networks, including the ABC in Australia.

Finding fulfilment

In a second clip from the same episode, Parky asks Cate if she finds being an actress fulfilling. She quickly answers that she does (or indeed, did back then!). Cate jokes that she never really planned her career, and could have become an economist, but failed. What follows is a discussion of something as relevant in 2025 as it was 23 years ago – sexism in Hollywood and how actresses navigate the demands of the movie industry. Cate astutely notes that women’s performances aren’t critiqued in the way men’s are, simply because 'they’ve got breasts'.

Cate Blanchett interviewed by Michael Parkinson on Parkinson, 2002. NFSA title: 538924

Cate responds to Parkinson's long-winded questions about her status in the industry with self-deprecating honesty and a sense of humour. These attributes make her an entertaining guest, yes, but are also key to maintaining a healthy attitude to fame and success in a competitive business. She later points out that she has built a career on doing what interests her, which is good advice for any artist to follow, and that continues to be the case today.

Our Cate, of course, has gone on to make some of the most iconic movies of our time, including Little Fish (Rowan Woods, 2005), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (David Fincher, 2008) and Tár (Todd Field, 2022). She was also co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 to 2013 and won her Oscars for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, with a further six Oscar nominations to date.

All hail Queen Cate, and long may her reign continue.