Maura Day, the breakout star of Peacock’s upcoming miniseries Long Bright River, based on Liz Moore’s bestselling novel, is poised for a major career moment with her captivating performance in this crime drama. Maura will portray the teenage version of “Mickey,” whose adult version will be played by actress and producer Amanda Seyfried.
Maura is undoubtedly set to become a name to watch after her intense and emotional work in the miniseries, with episodes directed by Mona Fastvold, who is currently Oscar-nominated for her screenplay for The Brutalist. With Long Bright River set to premiere on March 13, Maura is ready to shine under the spotlight.
In “Long Bright River,” you play the teenage version of the character “Mickey,” who is portrayed by Amanda Seyfried in adulthood. What was the process of connecting with this character while also bringing your own identity to her?
I read the book multiple times before even auditioning and I think that gave me a strong foundation to create my take on the younger version of Mickey. I also got to watch Amanda work from behind the monitors, so I could pick up some of her physicality. I tried to emulate her strength and temperament, while incorporating a sense of innocence and naivete to her younger self.
We know that crime dramas carry significant emotional weight, especially when dealing with themes like loss and the pursuit of justice. How did you prepare to portray such an intense and engaging character, especially in a production with such an impactful storyline?
I actually found out I booked Long Bright River the same week my mom unfortunately got her cancer diagnosis, making the filming process a really raw and emotional time for myself, the actor and the person. The circumstances of my own life allowed me to go to those heavy emotional spaces without much laboring, being able to relate so easily to Mickey’s fear of loss.
The fact that “Long Bright River” is based on Liz Moore’s bestseller comes with a great deal of responsibility. How did you handle the pressure of representing a story already loved by readers, while still delivering something unique and authentic in your portrayal?
I really trusted the fact that Liz and Nikki (our showrunner) responded to my portrayal of Mickey in my audition, so I knew I was at least on the right track with it. I coached with my own acting teacher and mentor before getting to set, of course, and tried to keep as open a dialogue as possible with the creators and crew, so I’d know what they needed to see and how I could deliver it.
The mini-series is directed by the talented Mona Fastvold, who was nominated for an Oscar for the script of The Brutalist. What was it like working with Mona, and how did her influence impact your creative process during filming?
Mona was super open, warm, and collaborative. My first scene I shot was the scene on the pier with my co-star Matt del Negro. It’s a vulnerable scene that culminates in a pretty intense kiss, and Matt and I had never even met until the day of filming, so we were both nervous to say the least. Mona, however, did everything in her power to put us at ease, explain to us her vision, and made a potentially awkward first day a great experience instead.
With the release of “Long Bright River” scheduled for March, you’re about to shine under the spotlight. How are you handling this new phase in your career, knowing that this project could mark a major moment for your journey?
I’m taking it one moment at a time, trying to stay present! I’m so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a fantastic cast and crew, and that’s all I’m really thinking about for now. Of course, as actors, we’re always looking for that next job, or next big thing, at least a little bit, and I’m excited for the future! But right now, I’m just happy to see my friends and family enjoying the show and my work.
Besides “Long Bright River,” what projects are you most excited to share with your fans? Is there a particular direction or type of character you’d like to explore in the future?
I have a couple things in the works, but I can’t share much more about them yet. I’m also very excited about the opportunity to produce a few scripts that I’ve written, and bring some of my own characters to life on screen. I would love to work on a dark comedy soon, so I’m putting that out into the universe to hopefully make that happen!
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