Up and Coming: Actress Isolt McCaffrey

Irish actress Isolt McCaffrey is quickly emerging as one of the fresh faces to watch in Ireland’s growing TV and film scene.

The Dublin-based performer recently appeared in the RTÉ drama These Sacred Vows, a six-part series that follows the chaotic aftermath of an Irish destination wedding in Spain, where a shocking discovery unravels the events of a wild week among the guests.

Still early in her career, Isolt has already begun building an impressive list of credits, including roles in the RTÉ/BBC series Video Nasty and films such as The Cured.

With her recent appearance in These Sacred Vows, introducing her to a wider audience, the young Irish actress is steadily carving out a place for herself among the country’s rising screen talent.

Goss.ie spoke to Isolt for our latest Up and Coming feature, following her more recent appearance in RTÉ’s These Sacred Vows.

Find out more about Isolt in our exclusive chat below:

Q. Was a career in acting something you always wanted to pursue?

Yes. No doubt.

Q. How did you first get into acting? Do you remember your breakout role?

I started drama classes in Ann Kavanagh’s drama school, “Young People’s Theatre” because Ann has an incredible reputation. I had been dancing my whole life and have never been interested in singing; I’m honestly tone deaf, so the school’s pure acting lessons was what we were looking for. I learnt everything I know now from Ann and her teachers; it’s where my passion grew. I wouldn’t say I have had a breakout role yet, but I look forward to every project, each one helping me gain more experience.

Q. You star alongside a stellar cast in These Sacred Vows. Tell us a bit about the series and the character you play.

The series is about an Irish wedding abroad, but we never meet the bride or groom. Instead, we dive into the less explored relationships at a wedding, the friendship between a gay man and a straight woman, queer friendships, mother-daughter relationships, female friendships, and on and on….

Karen, the character I play, is the sister of the bride and daughter of Sandra, played by the lovely Justine Mitchell. Karen is a strong-minded, intense young girl, however I think that it’s only because she is living in the worst of it, the teenage years. Her whole world is changing, and we follow her through this series as she makes rash decisions, eager for
people to take her seriously.

Q. Do you have any other exciting TV shows or movies lined up?

I do, I do, but unfortunately, I cannot divulge any details as of now.

Q. Acting is a confidence-driven career. Have you always been a confident person, or has that been something you’ve struggled with?

To be honest, I have always been a confident person; I have always had a strong sense of self, which I would say is something that has helped me in being able to deal with the not-so-stable sides of acting.

Q. What advice do you wish you could give to your younger self?

I thought I was still young, but well, my 16-year-old self? I would say to learn to relax more when on set – with the most experienced actors I have worked with, they have a calmness in them which I always feel seems to lead to a more natural performance. That’s something you learn with time and experience, though.

Q. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I am only just starting out right now, maybe get back to me in 10 years, and I’ll have an exciting story to tell.

Q. Who has been your biggest influence or support system so far?

Everyone in my life has supported me; I have been lucky to always have had a solid support system. My sister has helped significantly; she will always film a self-tape with me, and for that I am grateful. Some of those tapes can be painful to record!

I do what I do for love, though, I am surrounded by it, and that will be my driving force forever.

Q. What kind of stories did you connect with growing up — films, TV, theatre — that still stay with you now?

Neil Simon and Richard Brinsley Sheridan are two playwrights who will always stay with me, not only because they’re both wonderful playwrights but also because when I was growing up, I always felt that the plays I was given were only tragedies, and I really loved their comic style.

‘California Suite’ is a play I need to read again as it’s always on my mind, and ‘A School For Scandal’ was so funny that I always enjoyed performing scenes from that play when given the chance. Honourable mention to ‘The Road Within’, however, as I am a big Robert Sheehan fan.

Q. If you could choose one actor, dead or alive, to star alongside, who would it be and why?

I have recently watched ‘The Notebook’ again, so I’d have to say, Rachel McAdams! She’s an incredible actress, I love her and her diverse catalogue of roles.

This question will change, though, if you ask me in an hour, as I never have a straight answer. I want to work with everyone!

Q. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully healthy and happy. More importantly, on stage!

No, but genuinely, I hope I can continue to do what I love every day as my job. I feel so lucky already to have been able to dip into this world, and I just hope it continues. Though ideally, I would love to do a “coming of age” story before I get past being able to pull off the “coming of age” age.

Q. If you weren’t acting, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

Maybe a dancer or perhaps a childminder, I babysit occasionally, and I always love taking care of babas – it’s so fun to make them laugh.

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