Since this issue of ArtView was first
published, the episode of the X-Files revival
series which features Megan Peta Hill Founder’s Mutation - has been broadcast.
Megan played the pivotal role of Molly Goldman,
who makes a very powerful appearance at the
climax of the story.
Her performance in this episode strikingly
displays the qualities that first brought her to our
attention - her depth of talent, her dedication to
her craft and her genuine screen presence. She
succeeds in conveying such intense emotion in
the climactic scene, simply through her
expressive gaze. She makes Molly vulnerable as
well as frightening. The viewer can sense the
years of oppressive confinement that have led to
her outburst of deadly rage. In an earlier scene
where she struggles violently with the staff at the
institution, she throws herself into the moment
without restraint. Her talent for physical
expression reflects years of training in the art of
stage combat.
This performance is in stark contrast to her
role in Supernatural, playing a carefree college
student. Viewers might have difficulty in
recognising the same actress in both parts, such
is the difference in their physical appearance and
character - another sign of her versatile range as
a performer. She has played many roles in
historical or period dramas, and in costume she
seems to have an old-world quality that belongs
naturally to a past era. Yet she is also very
convincing in contemporary roles, as seen in her
outstanding performance in the award-winning
short film Hummingbirds, as well as in the bleak
futuristic world of Fell. One of her latest
appearances was in The Magicians, as a
student with otherworldly powers, proving that
she is also at home in the genres of science
fiction and fantasy.
We first interviewed Megan for the May 2014
issue of ArtView. What became apparent from
our conversation was her real commitment to the
art of performance. She showed great insight
and maturity in the way she discussed the
requirements of this art. It was clear that she has
studied her craft thoroughly. She is committed to
it as a true vocation, not for the supposed
glamour or superficial rewards of the industry.
In the time since that interview Megan left
Australia to pursue further opportunities for her
acting career in Canada. It was a brave leap,
which she made at the cost of considerable
personal sacrifice, in separation from her home
and family. We were very impressed with the
dedication that she showed in pursuing her
goals. It is the same dedication which she brings
to all her work as an actor - and which has
resulted in her having such remarkable
international success in the time since she left
Australia. As well as her roles on some highly
popular television series, she has been cast as a
lead in a number of feature films currently in
production.
Megan is certainly on her way to fulfilling the
prediction we made that she would become a
major presence in the world of film and
entertainment. With her talent, commitment and
unwavering work ethic, she seems destined to
follow in the steps of other Australian actors who
have achieved great success on the world stage
- including performers such as Radha Mitchell,
Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett.
- Adam Dean