The Sheep Detectives is a witty, new breed of mystery that follows George (Hugh Jackman), a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved flock of sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep might be brilliant crime-solvers.
As The Sheep Detectives prepares to flock audiences to the cinemas on May 7, Nick L’Barrow spoke with actor Molly Gordon about acting against CGI sheep and the fun of playing a suspect in a murder mystery.
Nick: One of the things that surprised me the most about this film is that it was really touching. And that emotional exploration works so well through the innocence of the sheep themselves. I’m curious to know what it is about animals that not only brings out the best in us, but also allows for that emotional exploration to be so fun and accessible?
Molly Gordon: I think animals are able to pick up emotions on a spiritual level. I think that they don’t have greed or narcissism like humans have. So, they’re able to teach us a lot about compassion and love. I think a movie like this is more profound because of that. So, I’m not surprised that it’s all through the lens of animals.
Nick: One of my favourite scenes, without spoiling too much, is when you have to explain to Nicholas Braun’s character that you witnessed the sheep breaking into a police station. And I can only imagine as a creative yourself, having to pitch an idea or script can sometimes feel like the craziness of that scene and trying to convince someone of something.
MG: Yeah, I mean that’s such a good point. I always feel stupid and like I’m making no sense when I’m in a pitch. Rebecca having to explain the sheep breaking into the police station – that’s what it feels like. It’s a great point. And I have many auditions where I’m just embarrassing myself. Shooting that scene also felt really kooky because I was just standing there watching a laser go by. I felt crazy!
Nick: I mean you did some great acting there! It does make me curious to know what the “acting against CGI sheep” class at Theatre Camp might look like?
MG: You’re so right. I think that it should’ve been a class. I think I would actually still need to take that class! Maybe let’s have Emma Thompson teach a class about how to act opposite a laser [laughs].
Nick: She’s one of the great’s for a reason. I’m curious to know how much fun it is as a performer to be able to play a character who is a suspect in the story? Are you constantly working on ways to throw the audience off throughout the story, even if you’re just in the background of a scene?
MG: Yes, totally! It was playing against a lot of my instincts, because I am mostly in comedies being this crazy, silly person. And for this, I really wanted to keep my cards close to my chest and not show as much. So, it was a challenge that way. But I really enjoyed it and I never wanted the audience to get ahead of the story. When I watched it a week ago, I found it really surprising. Like, I knew what would happen, but I was still taken on the journey.
Thank you so much to Molly for her time, and to Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios for organising the interview. The Sheep Detectives is in Australian cinemas May 7.
