Monica Barbaro on Pressure and UK Audience Reactions

Monica Barbaro is best known about to film fans for her roles in and A Complete Unknown but soon she will be starring in her first ever play at London's prestigious National Theatre. 

The American actress, 35, joked that she 'had it coming' from UK audiences if her British accent was not 'flawless' for her role in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, opposite  and Rivals star Aidan Turner.

Monica opened up about the play and her A-list leading men in a stunning shoot for PORTER, modelling gorgeous gowns and stylish suits. 

The star, who was Oscar-nominated for in 2004's Complete Unknown opposite Timothée Chalamet, recalled the moment she found out that she'd landed the role.  

'Oh yeah. I was at home in LA and I just collapsed to the floor. I always do [when I get big news]. I have to get on the ground. I hid under the table and called my agent.'

But speaking about the nomination she told the publication:  'It's a huge honour but it doesn't actually give my work more meaning, and I know that to be very true.

'In some ways, it's a validation, and it's shoring up the infrastructure of a career, of course. And it [can] be really exciting. But to expect it, I think, is to look at your art in the wrong way.'

Next Monica is set to star alongside Callum Turner in romantic comedy One Night Only, with the pair playing two strangers who .

Gushing over her co-star she said: 'He's like a labrador – kind, energetic, fun, collaborative.'

She previously played fighter pilot Phoenix in 2022's Top Gun sequel and that she had wanted to honour the 'amazing' female pilots she met during research for the film in her performance. 

But despite the movie making a whopping £1B at the box office, Monica admitted it was't all plain sailing trying to get the story off the ground. 

'There was an immense amount of pressure. A lot of people felt you should never sequel Top Gun'.

Later in the interview she spoke about her West End debut and told the publication:  'I haven't done a play before, and I'll be doing a British accent, in Britain, as an American. 

'So…I'm sort of asking for it. The accent has to be absolutely flawless so that it doesn't get in the way of the more important thing, which is telling the story. 

'That's how I felt about music [in A Complete Unknown] and how I felt about pretending to be a pilot. I think it's grounding in way because I can obsess over it, which I like to do.'

It comes after Timothée's Marty Supreme was  biggest loser as it walked away from Sunday's London ceremony empty handed, despite a whopping 11 nominations. 

The actor had been predicted to win the prestigious Best Actor gong after his previous triumphs at the and  last month. 

However his winning streak ended when rising British star Robert Aramayo's name was called for his role in drama I Swear, in a shock win that saw him beat out both Timothée and Lenonardo DiCaprio. 

The movie, which sees Timothée play aspiring table tennis champion Marty Mauser, now ties with 1969's Woman In Love and 2004's Finding Neverland for most BAFTA losses.

Amongst its nominations Marty Supreme was up for Best Film, which was won by One Battle After Another and Best Supporting Actress, which Odessa A'Zion lost to Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku.

One Battle After Another, nominated in 14 categories, took home six BAFTAs including Best film and director but, shockingly, not Leading Actor, or Supporting Actress.  

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