In our exclusive interview for The Untitled Magazine, actress Gabriella Pession shares insights into her captivating career and recent projects, including Peacock’s epic series Those About to Die, which premiered on July 18th, and Disney+’s Tell Me Lies. Born in Daytona, Florida, but raised primarily in Italy, Gabriella embodies a unique bicultural perspective that infuses her work with authenticity and depth. A former competitive ice skater, her path to acting was ignited by a fortuitous audition following a career-ending injury, leading her to become one of the most sought-after talents in the international scene.
In Those About to Die, directed by Roland Emmerich, Gabriella takes on the role of Antonia, a cunning and powerful woman orchestrating events behind the scenes of ancient Rome’s gladiatorial games. This ambitious series draws parallels between the blood sport of the past and modern entertainment, exposing the darker side of the spectacle-driven world. At the same time, Gabriella is reprising her role as Marianne in the new season of Tell Me Lies, showcasing her versatility across genres.
Beyond these high-profile projects, Gabriella has just wrapped filming a recurring role in The Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Bille August, alongside British actor Sam Claflin. Her career has spanned numerous acclaimed Italian series and international productions, earning her accolades for her compelling performances. Currently, she is also writing a television series for Rai Uno and finalizing the screenplay for her first feature film.
In addition to her impressive acting career, Gabriella is a passionate advocate for women and children through her work with WeWorld Onlus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and promoting equity. With a commitment to using her platform for positive change, Gabriella embodies the spirit of a modern artist who balances creativity with social responsibility.
Read on for more on Gabriella Pession’s inspiring journey, her diverse roles, and her perspective on life and artistry.
You were born in Daytona, FL, but grew up primarily in Italy. How did this bicultural upbringing influence your perspective on life and your approach to acting?
I was born in the States, but to Italian parents and grandparents; so I really do consider myself Italian. I am so in love with my country – our way of life, the approach we have to it. Especially in Rome, where I live, we take the time to focus on and enjoy the little things. We enjoy our food, and the art that surrounds us; overall, being Italian is really a state of mind more than it is geographical. We love human connection. We never miss out on any opportunities; we go to the beach even if we aren’t in perfect shape, and we enjoy our pasta even if it’s technically not the healthiest.
We appreciate all of the art around us in Rome, which makes it easier to be an artist. When you walk down the street and the cobblestones beneath you are almost 3,000 years old, it makes it incredibly easy to absorb the history of civilization and our human roots. That connection to our history and ancestors is incredibly inspiring and makes me a better artist and actor every day.
Your early years as a competitive ice skater took you to various places like LA, NY, London, Dublin, and Russia. When a broken ankle ended your ice-skating career, you shifted towards acting. Can you tell us more about that transition and what drew you to pursue acting as your new path?
I started acting by chance, really. I was a competitive ice-skater until I broke my ankle and was forced to quit. I did modeling for a while because both of my parents were working in fashion in Milan in the 90s. I did an audition, really by chance, and got the role! They thought I had something, apparently. I didn’t want to do this audition, I was just advised to try something new out because I didn’t really care for modeling.
I was studying philosophy at that time, so when they asked me what I wanted to do in the film business; I wasn’t really that interested in acting at that time, so I just repeated a lesson from Kierkegaard I had learned in school and had a test on the next day. They thought it was funny, apparently, so they cast me in this comedy! It started unexpectedly. I ended up meeting Lina Wermüller in Rome, and she asked me to audition for the lead in her film and told me I had to prepare a German accent by the next day. I studied hard that night, and the next day I auditioned and ended up getting this major role at only nineteen. I am sort of a fatalist – I think things are meant to happen, even though it wasn’t in my plan.
To be honest, I love singing. My dream when I was a teenager was to be a rockstar, obviously! I have always had a lot of creative interests, though; singing, painting, writing. But never really acting!
Your new series Those About to Die premiered on July 18th. Can you tell us about your character Antonia and how you prepared for this role set in ancient Rome?
Antonia is the role I have been waiting for, for many years; not only because it’s an amazing international project and I got the chance to work with so many wonderful people, but also because she is a mature woman. Finally, I got to play a role that wasn’t overly girly – Antonia doesn’t exist purely for a man. She is the wife of Marsus, but she is really the one who is in control of her journey and pulling all of the strings – she is the paradigm of a woman that can be in control. She has her own thoughts, her own voice – she has courage, basically.
Now the character obviously has a dark side – she makes some terrible mistakes and has to pay the consequences of them. The role is very epic, visceral, electric, dangerous, and unpredictable; I was really drawn to her.
In preparation, I had the amazing experience of studying women from the past, like Messalina or Livia Drusilla, amongst many others. There are so many amazing, controversial women from Roman history. So, while Antonia didn’t necessarily exist, I took these women’s stories and carried them on my back on set and used them as guidance. Then, I also got to work with Roland on putting all of these pieces together and fleshing out Antonia. Plus, I live in Rome, and one of my friends is an art historian who specializes in Ancient Roman history. She gave me a lot to research, and I spent a lot of time around the Palatine and the Colosseum. I spent a couple of weeks immersing myself in Roman history.
What aspects of Antonia did you find most challenging to bring to life?
The most challenging thing about Antonia was really to find her power in a man’s world; to balance her power and authority in a way that was strong, even though technically women did not have any political power at that time. Trying to balance her feminine, sensual energy with her more powerful side was a great challenge!
It was also fun to build a character who is not a stereotypical villain. She is quite an evil character, but also incredibly intelligent; she is very independent and pulls strings in a very creative way.
Working on Those About to Die, directed by Roland Emmerich, must have been an incredible experience. Can you share any memorable moments working with such a renowned director and the cast, including Anthony Hopkins?
Working with Roland has been one of the most nourishing, outstanding, unbelievable moments in my career. I started my career with Lina Wertmüller, who directed Swept Away – she was the first woman ever nominated for an Academy Award, and won three years ago. I started my career with her – she was my master, my teacher.
I had a large gap after that where I could find a maestro – someone who really guides you and has a vision. A visionary, really – an artistic genius. Roland is all of those things. He is so devoted to the set; he is a director who is able to have constant energy throughout the day and see every little detail in every single shot – he has epic visions that he makes fun. It was fun to play around, and fun to be on set! It was an all-around amazing experience for me, and we became really good friends. I live in Rome, and he has been here for so long that we would occasionally go for dinner after being on set and talk about a variety of things. Everyone else was shooting outside of their own countries – I think I am the only person in the cast who is Italian – so making him feel at home while working alongside him has been one of the most incredible experiences of my career.
Working with Anthony Hopkins has been a dream come true. And also working on such an amazing project with such a large scale; with Roland Emmerich directing, and the entire world we portrayed – it’s really all just an amazing experience for an actress because of how vast and magnificent it was. The storylines and the characters are just explosive, and the entire ensemble cast is wonderful
All of these ingredients created this amazing project that I am super proud to be part of – I am still in disbelief that this is really happening. I am beyond excited and grateful.
Those About to Die draws parallels between ancient gladiators and modern entertainment. How do you think this series resonates with contemporary audiences, and what messages do you hope viewers take away from it?
I think the viewers can probably appreciate how we tried to portray the Roman Empire with many parallels to contemporary society. The games back then are not entirely dissimilar from the games we have today; whether the Olympics or the Super Bowl, we can see the similarities to today. Even though it is a period piece, the modernity of the storytelling is clear; as humans, we haven’t changed that much from those times. We are much closer to the ancient Romans in more ways than we might think. It can be very entertaining to feel so connected to the world and these characters, even if they are of a different time.
I think that the characters are wonderful here; all of the characters have so many complexities that the audience can feel connected to. All of the characters are capable of such evil, even if their intentions are good; Cala (played by Sara Martins), in trying to save her children, is quite audacious in her choices. This gallery of characters is only heightened by their extreme circumstance, which the modern audience can draw from.
You’re starring in both Those About to Die and Tell Me Lies simultaneously. How do you balance multiple high-profile projects and what attracts you to these diverse roles?
I am always drawn most to the writing of any character; not just the script itself, but all of the writing that goes on behind the scenes that builds the character and informs me of who they are. The way they think, what moves them, their drive – I always approach the character itself first. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a period piece or modern, a comedy or a drama; it’s really the interior of a character that draws me to them.
Antonia’s motive is very clear; she wants to seek power. She would be an empress if that were allowed! As for Marianne, I don’t want to spoil too much, but she is a very modern, non-judgmental person. The way the character unfolds this season is so interesting and unexpected – I can’t wait for the audience to see it!
You’ve just finished shooting a recurring role in The Count of Monte Cristo. What was it like working alongside Sam Claflin and being directed by Bille August, and how did this experience differ from your other projects?
Monte Cristo has been another amazing project that I am honored to have taken a part of this year. Bille is very different than Roland – he is very delicate, and he is one of my favorite directors. I mean, I could talk for hours about all of the directors I love.
But Bille was one of the directors I was looking up to after seeing Pelle (Conqueror of the World) – the movie that brought him the Academy Award. I love House of Spirits as well – he has done so many amazing movies. He is so amazing, it was a dream come true.
But again, this role comes from a masterpiece of literature. I read Monte Cristo when I was in school many years ago – it is an old and long book, but it actually is so entertaining to read; it is modern, in many ways, the way Dumas wrote it. I remember reading it and loving the story and all of its characters.
This has been a very different experience for me because it is based on a very famous book. You start from reading the script, the novel, meeting with the director, and also reaching for inspiration within yourself. A lot of things came together for me to play Hermine – the costumes were stunning too – it’s a magnificent role. It’s a woman who goes through the most tragic, probably, thing in her life – she doesn’t know if the son she gave birth to is alive or dead. She is eaten alive by this guilt and weight that she can’t handle – she descends into a world of madness and denial. It’s a great role.
Sam is unbelievable – I think he is one of the most talented young actors at the moment. I saw him in Daisy Jones & the Six – he is outstanding as the Count. Jeremy Irons has been one of my crushes throughout all of my childhood – I was so in love with him after I saw The Doubt.
It has been an amazing experience; very different – amazing location. We shot between Paris, Malta, and Tirin, and Bille was such an amazing director. He shoots what is essential – never too many takes. He really allows you to trust him. We would often do one take, and it would turn out just amazing. To be working with a director who knows exactly what he is doing has been such an amazing experience.
You’re currently writing a TV series and finishing a screenplay for your first feature film. How does your experience as an actress inform your writing process? Can you share details about these projects?
I’m working on my very first script right now, and I’m working alongside three very talented writers; developing that story straight out of my imagination has been a blast. I also produce some theatre shows that I work in (Hedda Gabler, directed by Patrick Marber, is in the works!).
I love coming up with ideas and conceptualizing different stories. When I’m not shooting, between projects, that’s when I explore and study different ideas. I was able to buy the rights to After Miss Julie by Patrick Marber, and then The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, amongst others. I like to work dynamically; I’m not the kind of actress who just wants to audition and book roles. I have done that, but I also want to be in control and more creative in what I do. And luckily, after so many years in the business, I have a lot of people who know and trust my work and they are willing to work alongside me in developing my ideas. It’s amazing to work with such a wonderful team of writers and producers who help to bring everything to life.
The series I am working on for Rai Uno is about a very successful chef; she seems to have everything she could possibly want in life, but she lacks a true sense of warmth or affection in her life. After a turn of events in her life (which I cannot spoil), she moves back home to Tuscany – my favorite place in the world – and is forced to get back in touch with the most vulnerable parts of herself she had been avoiding. She has to focus on the simpler things in life, which will ultimately lead her to love herself and her life completely and not measure her worth in terms of career success. It’s a dramedy; it’s quite funny, but also quite touching.
I am also trying to write my first feature, which is a bit more delicate because it’s a personal story. It isn’t autobiographical at all, but it is inspired by my relationship with my father. It’s about a daughter who doesn’t fully know who her father has been; it’s a bit similar to Big Fish – one of my favorite movies (I cry every time I watch it). It’s a very delicate process that I am trying not to rush.
Your career has spanned various genres, from historical dramas to modern series. Which genre do you find most challenging or rewarding as an actor?
My favorite genre is comedy – by far. I always say that if someone were to offer me a lifetime contract to do only comedy, I would sign it in a heartbeat. Italy has been home to some wonderful maestros of comedy over the years (we had commedia all’italiana), but these days comedy doesn’t hold the same prestige in Italy as it once did. I think that comedic characters are the most challenging, but the most rewarding; I love playing those characters more than anything.
Looking back at your early roles in Italian TV and film, how do you feel your acting style and approach have evolved over the years?
I think my acting style has shifted a lot with life; the more life you live, the more color you have on your palette to paint the canvas with. Going through the ups and downs of life is what gives you more to work with. In that way, I think aging is a gift as an actor – it allows you to expand your knowledge.
I am also married to an Irish actor, and they have a different way of approaching acting; he is incredibly talented (so are his friends), so the way they approach any character has rubbed off on me. Italian acting can be a bit melodramatic, which is absolutely wonderful and challenging in its own right, but I have loved stepping into the minimalist way of acting. The more “interior” method, where doing less on the outside is actually better.
I think that’s the way my style has shifted the most; it’s far smaller and more natural than it used to be.
With your diverse upbringing and experiences living in different countries, how have these influences shaped your perspective as an actress and a storyteller?
Travel is probably what I love to do the most nowadays. I have always traveled a lot; I was born in Florida, then I lived in Australia and Russia for ice-skating. I also lived in Ireland – my husband is Irish – but we met in Prague. I lived in Marseille, Paris, New York, in Brisbane, the Gold Coast – I’m a globetrotter. It’s never enough for me, though. I do like to travel for comfort and enjoy the nice hotels and all, but what I really love is traveling and embracing the culture of where I am going. I love leaving without a plan, renting a car, and seeing where it takes me.
Travel has influenced my personality, too; I feel Italian, mainly, but I also feel that I belong to a lot of places. I’m a mixture of cultures and experiences that I have had throughout my entire life, and I am very happy that my son gets to do the same; he was born in Ireland, but we’ve lived in Los Angeles and Rome as well. I like to be open to absorbing different cultures and open my mind. Ultimately, I think traveling is far more instructive than just going to school. Making those direct experiences shapes you into who you are, and in turn, makes you a better actor and storyteller.
I am trying my best to make sure that my son gets the entire experience as well, making friends and learning things all over the world.
With such a varied and rich background, what advice would you give to aspiring actors who are navigating their own paths and looking to make a mark in the industry?
I hate lecturing – but really, the easy thing to do is to act. The hardest thing to do is to put up with the instability; the ups and downs and the uncertainty and illogical aspects of this job. Nothing is completely sure, ever. Constantly being up in the air sounds great when you are 18; you only see the upside, sure that you are going to make it work and have a great career.
When you get into the job, though, you really realize how difficult it is to keep your feet on the ground. You can’t get too down or too excited based on how things are going, because it’s all an illusion, really.
The only advice I have is this: Be really sure you love this job. You have to love every aspect of this to sustain a career like this. If you don’t love it that much, it is probably better to do something else – it is far too frustrating of a career to handle unless you are blinded by your passion and love for it.
Balancing a successful acting career with family life can be challenging. How do you maintain this balance, and has becoming a mother influenced your approach to your work?
I think that being married and having a family is the most supportive environment that I could possibly have. Having my son was the most freeing thing that has ever happened to me, which I think is a different view than so many people hold. My career was so much harder when I was on my own; maybe I was less tired and less busy, but there was a lot of loneliness.
Balancing my life can be a bit challenging in the sense that it requires organization and prioritization (the top priority is my son, always). At the same time, though, it gave me the love and courage that instilled a sense of serenity in me that has made me a much stronger actress.
You are an active supporter of WeWorld Onlus, advocating for women and children worldwide. Can you tell us more about your involvement with the organization and why its mission is so important to you?
I had the privilege to work alongside WeWorld Onlus for many years now, and they have always incorporated me in their campaigns. I would like to be even more involved moving forward; especially as a mother, this is one of my goals in the next few years. The privilege of being an actress is being able to be heard – you can really be a vehicle of change.
We did a lot of campaigns to spread awareness and reduce violence against women, relieve the effects of poverty here in Italy, and more. It has been very touching for me because when you are an actor it is easy to get stuck in the bubble of “the business” and it becomes your world; but when you step outside and see reality, you realize how privileged we are. I think that when you are privileged, you are called to be useful; even if it is a tiny grain of sand in the ocean, it is worth it to try to get out there and do something that can help. We can all do our little part.
You are doing so many incredible things! Is there anything else on the radar you would like to share? Personal or professional plans you are excited about?
I’m looking forward to keeping my childish outlook on the world alive. I want to stay constantly excited and curious about new things, both life, and career-wise; it’s not a specific project or job to look forward to, but an attitude towards life that I hope to keep and pursue. Life is up and down, but I hope to maintain the same serenity that I am able to have these days; all of it comes from a lot of lessons learned and life experiences. I look forward to staying like a child who still likes to play and have fun.
There are a couple of other fun writing projects in the works, but nothing I can spoil just yet.
For more on Gabriella, follow on socials @gabriellapession_official
