Actress Fernanda Junqueira reveals exciting details about her journey to play the complex Hannah in “A Rainha da Pérsia”, in an interview that highlights her preparation process and the personal transformations faced during recording. Junqueira, who shares the role with Júlia Abdalla, shares the challenges of bringing to life a character in a crucial phase of transition, exploring how immersion in the story and adapting her accent contributed to her performance.
The preparation book involved intense internal work and collaboration with casting coach Rosana Garcia, while the experience of filming in Morocco provided significant cultural enrichment. Compared to her previous work on “Gênesis”, Junqueira observes a notable growth in her approach and technique, reflecting her evolution as an actress.
Looking to the future, the actress is also preparing for the role of Nehemiah in the continuation of the plot, promising a more mature Hannah who is intensely involved in her new battles. The passion for theater and the intersection with television are aspects that Junqueira highlights as fundamental in his career, promising the public a rich emotional experience and a message of faith and unity through his performances.
What was the preparation process like for the role of Hannah in “The Queen of Persia”? Were there any specific challenges you faced during this preparation?
The process of playing Hannah was both pleasurable and challenging. I was prepared by Rosana Garcia, the network’s casting coach, and I am very grateful to her for helping me find my way into the character. At home, I studied a lot, made a lot of FaceTime calls with teachers I admire, and did intense internal work to understand Hannah.
I shared the role with the talented Júlia Abdalla, who played Hannah as a child and gave me the character beautifully so that I could continue telling her story.
Hannah appears in a transition phase in the soap opera, which was a challenge. To continue her story and conclude the character’s arc, I needed to deal with the past experienced by another younger actress. So, whenever I could, I went to the set to watch Júlia’s scenes (Hannah as a child) to capture more of her essence. Furthermore, I studied the character’s past a lot at home to understand all the layers and stories that shaped the woman she became in my phase. So, when it was my turn, everything flowed cohesively.
You mentioned identifying a lot with the character Hannah. Can you share more about which aspects of the character resonate most with you personally?
Hannah represents the most beautiful side of Fernanda. She is extremely empathetic, one of her most striking characteristics. Her immense love for her family, her willingness to do anything to protect those she loves and her faith were aspects from which I learned the most. These characteristics already resonated with me and now they resonate even more.
How did studying the historical context of the time influence your interpretation of Hannah? Were there any historical details that you found particularly interesting or challenging?
At first, it was necessary to neutralize the accent. I’m from Rio, and in a period product, a very accentuated Rio de Janeiro accent could be strange. Making a period series is always a challenge; There are certain rules about how people behaved at the time, and this type of study is essential to an actor’s work. The costumes and sets contribute significantly to this immersion.
What did you think of the recordings made in Morocco? How did the experience of filming in such a culturally rich location impact your work as an actress?
I think that was my favorite part. The richest aspect I noticed was the integration and relationship with the cast and crew. The trip brought us together in a beautiful way so that everything worked out. Furthermore, informal meetings help the cast get to know each other and create the necessary intimacy, depending on the relationship between the characters. Filming in Morocco is a dream come true. On set, in addition to the Brazilian team, we also had Moroccan professionals working with us. It was a great opportunity to get to know cultures and exchange experiences with them. Not to mention the beauty of the place, which certainly helped my character connect and feel immersed in the present moment.
How do you compare your work on “The Queen of Persia” to your previous role on “Genesis”? What were the main differences and similarities between the two projects?
I think that the more study and experience you acquire, the more you realize your evolution. I started recording “Gênesis” when I was 15, still very young. At that time, I was already very focused, but the study I do today is different. I demand much more from myself, and I see that this effort reflects on the results of my work on “The Queen of Persia”. I’m very proud of “Genesis” and my entire journey, but I believe that the objective is to always improve and not stop studying. I’m passionate about my work on “The Queen of Persia”, which now continues with the recording of “Nehemiah”.
Can you give us an idea of what your interpretation of Nehemiah will be like in the continuation of the plot of “The Queen of Persia”? How are you preparing for this new challenge?
In this phase of “Nehemiah”, we will see a more mature Hannah, who faces her problems with great determination and strength to protect those she loves. What I can say is that everything is being prepared with a lot of love. Just like in “The Queen of Persia”, the cast of “Nehemiah” is one of the most united I have ever worked with. It’s impressive to see the entire team and cast so committed to making it happen and delivering a wonderful result that touches the public. There will certainly be a lot of emotions in this new phase, with intense scenes.
In addition to your work in soap operas, you have a significant history in theater plays. How do you see the relationship between your work in theater and television? Is there any difference in the approach you take to each medium?
Theater is the basis of everything. That’s where I started and I hope to never leave. Theater gave me the entire basis for the work I do today in dramaturgy, and I think it is fundamental for any actor. I’m passionate about musical theater, and music also accompanied me a lot during the recording of the series. I had a playlist that I created for my character and, in any gap, I would listen to it and connect with it. What I love most about theater is the fact that it’s live; you interact and respond to the audience in that moment, and that, for me, is its greatest magic. In television, we have many technical parts that, as a film student, really delight me. The grandeur of a team and a soap opera setting always scares me. I can say that today I can no longer live without them both.
What do you hope audiences feel when watching “The Queen of Persia”? Is there a specific message or theme you’d like them to take home?
I think what the audience took home most was learning about faith. Each of those characters has a plot related to it and it is possible to nourish yourself with the faith that each of them represents. In Nehemiah, which I’m recording now, the main message that I’m sure will resonate with the audience is unity. It will be possible to feel, through the screens, this union of a team that, united and with faith, can achieve whatever they want.
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