In this exclusive interview for The Untitled Magazine, actress Emily Barber opens up to Indira Cesarine about her career, creative journey, and her exciting new role in Guy Ritchie’s highly anticipated crime series MobLand, streaming on Paramount+. Sharing the screen with powerhouse actors such as Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan, Emily plays Alice, a character who is as unpredictable and complex as the world she inhabits. Known for her versatility and captivating performances across both television and theatre, Emily reflects on her diverse body of work, which includes standout roles in Industry (HBO), The Alienist: Angel of Darkness (Netflix), and The Royals (E!), as well as her acclaimed theatre credits like Cymbeline at Shakespeare’s Globe and Operation Mincemeat in the West End.
In this candid conversation, Emily discusses her journey from a young performer in the National Youth Theatre to becoming a rising star in the entertainment industry, her creative process, and the challenges and rewards of navigating both stage and screen. She also shares fascinating insights into her experience working with legendary filmmakers and actors, the unique style of Guy Ritchie’s fast-paced, improvisational directing, and her behind-the-scenes moments on set that have made MobLand an unforgettable project.
With a career that continues to evolve across genres and mediums, Emily shares details about her experiences working with legends like Hardy and Mirren, the challenges of balancing a career in both theatre and film, and her upcoming projects. Join us as Emily Barber shares her insight into the world of acting, her inspirations, and what’s next for her after wrapping MobLand.
Tell us about how you got into acting? What has your journey been so far prior to landing your new role in Guy Ritchie’s new show MobLand?
I don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t performing—it’s just always been part of me! I fell in love with dance and musical theatre from a young age and joined my local youth theatre, where I caught the performing bug and found my tribe. As a teenager, I joined the National Youth Theatre, which helped me start thinking seriously about acting as a career. I was fortunate to sign with an agent after one of my performances, and from there, I studied acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
After graduating, I was cast in a variety of stage productions, including The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End opposite David Suchet and a lead role in Cymbeline at Shakespeare’s Globe. Theatre gave me an incredible foundation in the industry, and now that I’ve transitioned into television and film, I feel lucky to keep all these mediums in motion.
MobLand is a classic Guy Ritchie crime world—sharp dialogue, high energy, and stylish action. What can you tell us about your character and her place in the story?
Of course! I play Alice, who we meet in episode one at a group therapy session, where she crosses paths with Jan (played by Joanne Froggatt). Jan is married to Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), who works for the powerful Harrigan crime family. Alice and Jan become immediate friends, connecting over their marital struggles, but as their friendship deepens, Alice finds herself increasingly entangled in the twists and turns of the Harrigan family drama.
Alice is fearless, sharp, and witty, but she’s also a chameleon—she has many faces/versions of herself that she presents to the world. Her journey throughout the series is full of surprises, and there’s far more to her than meets the eye. Discovering those layers as I read the scripts was just as thrilling as bringing her to life on screen.
Guy Ritchie has such a distinct filmmaking style. How did that translate into the series format, and what was it like working with him?
Working with Guy was a truly unique and pretty exhilarating experience. He encourages actors to play and improvise with the script, which I found incredibly freeing. His fast-paced approach creates a dynamic, high-energy atmosphere on set. Coming from a theatre background, I really responded to that – it felt much more like the fluidity of live performance rather than the often stop-starty nature of TV.
Working alongside icons like Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan must have been incredible—what was it like collaborating with such legendary actors?
Yeah, it’s pretty mad! The cast of MobLand is extraordinary, and there are even some epic names yet to be announced. At first, it was definitely daunting a you know you have to bring your A-game and not get distracted or intimidated by the fact that you’re doing a scene with James Bond and a dame(!). But what I quickly realised is just how professional and dedicated they are to the work, which is an absolute joy to be around. No matter the level, all actors worry about knowing their lines or whether they’re doing a good job, so you realise that, at the end of the day, everyone is human. That said, filming a dinner scene with that cast was definitely a collaboration/life highlight!
You’ve had roles in Bridgerton, The Alienist: Angel of Darkness, and Bodies, among many others. Which character has been the most challenging or rewarding to play so far?
I think my most recent character, Diana in HBO’s Industry, really stretched me as an actor. I had these long, intense duologues with Sagar Radia, who played my husband, Rishi, and we spent a week of night shoots filming that standalone episode 4. I had to scream at him, throw things, seduce him, console him – we covered every facet of a relationship in that episode! It was incredibly challenging but so rewarding, and I’m thrilled that both the episode and the show are getting the merit they deserve.
How did preparing for MobLand compare to your previous projects?
Honestly, the turnaround from being cast to stepping on set was pretty quick, so there wasn’t much time for extensive prep. With the scripts being written as we went, it became a real lesson in taking each scene, knowing your given circumstances, and then just playing on the day. So much of the script was improvised and discovered collaboratively on set, which was a completely different way of working for me. It challenged me to adapt my preparation and embrace spontaneity, and I learned a lot from the process.
The crime genre often involves intense action. Did you have to do any fight training or stunts for this role?
Sadly not! I’m still awaiting the day where I get to do some stunts! I did get to do a fair bit of running in heels though!
MobLand features a mix of veteran actors and rising stars. What was the dynamic like on set, and did you pick up anything from your co-stars?
I think you learn so much consciously and subconsciously from observing other actors and particularly when working with such esteemed names as the cast of MobLand. I found presence to be a huge thing; how a character occupies a space. Tom Hardy, as Harry, has an extraordinary presence which is amazing to act against.
Guy Ritchie is known for his fast-paced, improvisational directing style. Did that influence how you approached your performance?
I think his approach is incredibly freeing for an actor. It’s easy to get stuck in a particular way of delivering a line or picturing a scene in your head, but Guy’s style completely shakes that up. It forces you to stay present, truly listen, and respond organically to the other actors, which makes for such a dynamic and exciting process.
What’s your favorite behind-the-scenes story from filming? Any funny or unexpected moments on set?
Filming that dinner scene with Helen, Pierce, and Tom was pretty epic—not just because of the scene itself, but because between takes, we got to have a natter over the dinner table. We had a lot of silly chats whilst passing the potatoes. Helen and I bonded over the gruelling schedule of filming during the day with performing eight shows a week at the theatre in the evenings (as I was performing a West End Musical, Operation Mincemeat, at the same time as filming).
Another surreal moment was a running scene we shot in central London, on a route I used to run during lockdown. There were police officers wandering around the park, and I genuinely couldn’t tell if they were real or just extras, which only added to the madness of it all!
How did the production design and locations help bring the world of MobLand to life?
London was very much present in bringing MobLand to life, from the dark, underground locations to the opulence of a suite at The Savoy. It does really help you as an actor when the locations are vivid or atmospheric. I got to shoot a scene with Joanne and Pierce in a phenomenal penthouse with panoramic views of the city skyline which was pretty cool.
Were there any scenes that were particularly challenging—physically or emotionally?
Not so much physically – I was lucky that most of my scenes with Joanne Froggatt involved coffee, which meant a lot of strolling or sitting rather than anything too demanding. But filming in London between November and March…that’s a whole different kind of challenge! It was absolutely freezing, so heat packs and hand warmers were definitely a must!
Crime dramas often explore themes of loyalty, power, and survival. How did you relate to your character’s journey?
I can’t say I have a huge amount of experience in the world of crime(!) but I do think I can relate to the family aspect of the story, and how important those bonds are. My character Alice is fearless, bold and confident, getting herself into some rather precarious situations. So in other words, I’m quite different! But she was certainly very fun to play.
With such a diverse range of projects under your belt, what kind of roles or genres are you most excited to explore next?
I’ve been so lucky with my work so far – I feel like I’ve managed to balance stage and screen, comedy and drama, period and modern-day. But now that you’ve asked, I think I’d love to try my hand at stunts so maybe action! To be honest, I’m always up for something that pushes me and gives me a fresh experience. This career is so unpredictable – you never know what’s around the corner. So I’ll just wait and see what genre finds me next!
Who have been some of your biggest inspirations, whether in acting or beyond?
What’s amazing is that I’ve actually been lucky enough to work with some of mine. Most recently, in MobLand with Helen Mirren, and in 2024, I did a play in the West End with Penelope Wilton. Both women have extraordinary bodies of work spanning all mediums and genres, and their mastery of language and wit in comedy is just as impressive as their emotional depth in drama. They have that rare ability to make you laugh and move you in equal measure, which I find so inspiring and impressive. But beyond their talent, they’re also just lovely people – kind, generous, and true team players who care deeply about the work. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to observe and learn from them.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors looking to make their mark in theatre, TV, and film?
I would say keep going and try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone has a different journey in this career and it is never linear. I think trying to stay creative in your downtime is really important, go see as much as possible, write, paint, sing, dance – whatever it is that keeps nourishing your creativity. On the flip side, I would also say try to not let your career consume you! It is so hard when you’re just out of drama school and you’re excited and ambitious and desperate to not lose or waste an opportunity. But do go on holiday. See your friends and family. See the world. Life is important too.
What’s next for you now that MobLand has wrapped?
I was in the West End doing Operation Mincemeat the musical for 9 months whilst filming MobLand, so I think my mind and body are craving a break! So ideally, a sun-lounger and a beach is next, but I do have a British independent film I’m doing next month, so the big holiday may have to wait a little bit longer!
Emily Barber by Photographer: Rich Lakos
Styling: Bertie Taylor-Smith
Hair and Make-up: Jade Bird
