He radiates optimism, smiles often and without hesitation stops any attempt to get to know his most personal side. The general public discovered her on television, with Paco's Men, and consecrated her by playing Queen Isabel la Católica. Much earlier, at just two years old, Michelle Jenner (Barcelona, 1986) made her first advertisement (for floats) and at six she started dubbing, to which she has dedicated part of her work: she was the voice of little Giosué from La vida she is beautiful and Hermione from Harry Potter, among many other characters.
In her two decades of career, she has been a candidate for the Goya (Don't be afraid), has worked with Almodóvar in Julieta and has won titles of all kinds. The newcomers come wrapped in the previous success: Eight Moroccan Surnames is the new installment (which is already sweeping theaters) of the blockbuster film series, with its usual cultural clashes and prejudices exposed. And Berlin is the prequel to Money Heist, where Jenner plays Keila, an expert engineer in cybersecurity and member of the gang that plans to rob the largest auction house in Paris. A frenetic comedy and thriller puzzle, available on Netflix. We spoke with her, recently arrived from Rome, about promoting the series with her colleagues Pedro Alonso and Tristán Ulloa.
Judging by your Instagram, it has been a Hollywood-style visit. Do you expect Berlin to be your particular international break?
It has been nice to be there with my friends and a luxury to get to know a place like the Colosseum in this special way. I'm happy, but I don't think about what impact it will have. What I like is the work itself and with such a spectacular team. A joy. Whatever comes next, you never know. If a project arrives, great, but not because it is from abroad, because the level of fiction in this country is very good. It is not my ambition nor my goal, I flow with whatever comes.
Do you feel very secure in your job or do you often think about it and doubt it?
There are always doubts. In this job you should never feel 100% comfortable, because you relax. You always have to be alert. It is an exercise of trust in the team and in yourself. Sometimes I do see a sequence and I say to myself: I could have done this differently; but without obsessing, because it can no longer be changed.
Your character, Keila, has a comedic edge, was it difficult for you to find the right tone?
My fear was finding the right spot for comedy, but the scripts are so well written that I quickly found it. This series is brighter than La casa de papel. Even with his psychopathic and dark side, the protagonist, Berlin, is in another moment, in love with life and love. And I think the audience will connect with my role, they will feel what would happen to many of us if we suddenly joined a gang of thieves. I would feel lost, like a fish out of water.
How would you define it in two or three adjectives?
Hard-working, happy, loving... It's difficult to define myself, I would say that I try to be very much in the present. The mind can play tricks on you, making you anxious about things in the future or getting you stuck in situations from the past. I try to be in the day to day life and have a positive attitude.
Something I would like to change.
I think it is essential to accept yourself, not try to be something you are not. Although you always have to work on yourself and improve.
With psychological work?
Yes, in our job it is essential for us to understand the mechanisms of the mind, the emotions. But I think it's something everyone should do. It helps a lot on a day-to-day basis to have a therapist or a coach who gives another point of view to situations you experience, who provides you with tools.
To manage constant judgment?
For example. These days they tell me: “Let's see if Berlin repeats the success of The House…”. I don't even think about it, what I like is preparing the characters, I enjoy working as a team. But I am a very normal person, my life is normal, I have the same fears and hopes as any other person. And I think the important thing is to take care of yourself.
What is this stage of your life like?
Very good, I feel grateful to dedicate myself to what fulfills me most. Already preparing the next role (I can't specify) for a platform. I keep learning and I love it. I know that it is an unstable profession and I would like to continue in it all my life. Now I just think about enjoying it to the fullest, like life, and all the opportunities that come.
What is missing?
Nothing, I'm not missing anything.
He has a son, Hugo...
Yes, but I prefer not to talk about my personal life.
Is family, relationships, the most difficult part of managing your work?
Yes, it is difficult, but I imagine it is like in other sectors. You select projects that facilitate it. You have to accept it and find a way to fit it. And it is found, of course.
She is strict about her privacy. Any bad intrusion experiences?
That's what it is for me, private. I don't think I should mix it up and leave it on display. I always separate the two areas and I think it is important and healthy to keep it that way.
His mother was an actress and dancer, his father and brother were dubbing actors. Predestined?
I imagine it's in my blood, I grew up in a family of artists, I always liked it.
What role remains in your life?
I don't take the character home, I easily enter and exit them. They remain as vital experiences. Paco's Men was my great school, with actors who were teachers and with whom a family was created. We are friends, with Hugo, Paco, Adriana...Then, Don't be afraid, by Armendáriz, was very special. I really wanted to make films and a character that was different from the previous one, to show myself that I could do different things. Then Isabel...so powerful. I take something away emotionally from all of them, without a doubt.
Do you think the situation of women in the world of fiction has improved?
I think if. There is still more balance to be had, but I love that there is more visibility and options in the steering as well.
Have you had to stop any uncomfortable situations or harassment?
I have been lucky. I do remember many years ago, at a photo shoot, receiving comments like: “You should have a chest operation…”. Now I think it could have created a lot of insecurities in me.
Hasn't it happened to you?
I try not to let it influence me. It hasn't always been easy, but I accept myself a lot as I am, luckily. Now people pay attention, a few years ago you assumed that it was normal and you didn't even consider saying: “Hey, this made me uncomfortable.” It is necessary to raise your voice.
Aesthetics, fashion... Do you enjoy it?
I like it, yes, but it must connect with me, adapted to my way of being. Feeling pretty but comfortable and in agreement with who I am. I wouldn't wear something just because it's fashion if I feel like I'm dressed up and uncomfortable.
How do you prepare your characters?
I rely a lot on instinct, on what I feel when reading the script. I like to prepare them with the director, with costumes, because with the clothes you already feel differently. Create the character together. You have to be a little malleable. Maybe you have a completely worked and closed character and the director has another point of view and we must polish it together. You have to leave room for change.
What irritates you about others?
For example, I am very punctual, so it bothers me when someone is not. I greatly appreciate and respect other people's time.
What worries you about current events?
It is horrifying to see so many images of children suffering lately, you feel very helpless. You ask yourself: what can I do? If I had power, I would make not a single child in the world live in terror.
What have you eliminated from your life to be happier?
Strong self-criticism, judging myself excessively. I work on acceptance, improving but without dying in the attempt, living happy with who you are.
