“I Felt More Confident Stepping Into Her Boots Again”: Jessica McNamee Returns in Mortal Kombat II
Photographed exclusively for VULKAN, the Australian actress returns to Sonya Blade with sharper instincts, a new sense of calm, and a few things she needs to get off her chest.
Talent Jessica McNamee @jessica_mcnamee
Photography Laretta Houston @larettahouston
Styling + Creative Direction Lisa Smith Craig @lscstyling at @wemergenetwork
Hair Clayton Hawkins @claytonhawkins at @aframe_agency
MUA Pati Dubroff @patidubroff @forwardartists
Assistant Styling Jessica Batista @classicjess
PR Kristie Higgins & Gary Mantoosh at The Initiative Group @initiativepr
Publisher Aleksandar Tomovic @alekandsteph
Production + Location @maisonpriveepr_la x @bellomediagroup
There is a particular kind of confidence that cannot be manufactured. It has to be earned, lived through, occasionally fallen into by accident. Jessica McNamee has it in abundance, and it radiates from every corner of this conversation. The Australian actress is back as Sonya Blade in Mortal Kombat II, the thunderously anticipated sequel to the 2021 original, and where the first film asked her to inhabit a woman fighting to be seen, the second gives her something far more interesting to work with: a woman who already knows exactly who she is.
She describes returning to the role as feeling like a warm hug. The pressure that shadowed the first production had lifted, replaced by months of preparation, a deepened trust with the cast and crew, and a new physical dimension that changed everything. This time, Sonya has her powers, her Arcana, and McNamee channeled that through an unexpected source of inspiration: the movement of big cats. Working with acclaimed movement coach Jean-Louis Rodrigue, she built Sonya from the body outward, drawing on the way a tiger prowls a space, always watchful, always knowing exactly where everyone is. It was a choice that unlocked something larger about who Sonya is in this chapter: the matriarch of the group, the one holding the whole ensemble together while the chaos rages around her.
That instinct for finding the unexpected way in is something McNamee has been refining across a career that spans drama, comedy, action, and horror. She is, by her own admission, allergic to being pinned down. The more frightening the role, the more she leans toward it. The more challenging the character, the more she trusts what will come out the other side. It is a philosophy that has served her well, and one that feels deeply, specifically her own.
We sat down with Jessica McNamee ahead of the release of Mortal Kombat II to talk training, tigers, personal style, and why Hollywood’s relationship with women and age is, in her words, f***ing crazy.
Mortal Kombat II is in theaters now.
You’re stepping back into Sonya Blade for Mortal Kombat 2. How has your relationship to the character evolved this time around?
I was thrilled to be back for a second movie. The difference this time was that I felt a sense of calm. Having already portrayed Sonya once before and receiving such a positive reaction from the fans, I felt more confident stepping into her boots again. It took the pressure off a little and I was able to enjoy the ride.
What was it like stepping back into the world of Mortal Kombat, and what immediately felt familiar or completely new on set?
It was like a warm hug! We had more time to prep this time, so I had been training for months in the lead-up. I felt super prepared and ready to kick some butt. Having developed a relationship with many of the cast and crew the first time around and continued to grow those relationships after we wrapped meant that there was an amazing sense of familiarity that obviously makes for a really safe and fun environment to play. I also have my powers, my Arcana, this time around. Which makes taking down the baddies a little less tricky.
You’ve worked across action, comedy, drama, and horror. What draws you to a project at this point in your career?
I love exploring different characters. I have never wanted to get pigeonholed in any one direction. I suppose as human beings we are complex and layered, and so playing different types of characters scratches that itch of my complex personality. Taking on a new genre or character is scary, and I have found that the more scared I am when taking on a role and, in turn, the more challenging the role, the biggest breakthroughs.
Looking back, how did your early work on Packed to the Rafters shape the kind of actor you are today?
I learned a lot from that show. I was so green when I walked onto that set that it was my real introduction to learning and understanding how a TV set worked. From hitting my marks, understanding the roles of a film crew, the importance of continuity, learning dialogue quickly and under pressure, and so many more basics. Most importantly, I learned some hard lessons in dealing with different personalities on set, different-sized egos, and dealing with my own ego. I felt completely out of my depth at times. It felt like we were in a pressure cooker, lots of young actors feeling the weight of coming into success and a certain type of fame relatively quickly. So there were some hard lessons learned, but I felt lucky to learn some of those harder lessons and make some of those mistakes on a smaller scale. With some wonderfully supportive people around me.
When you’re building a character, do you start more from the emotional world or the physicality?
Usually it starts from the emotional. But the interesting thing about Sonya Blade, especially this second time around, was that I started with the physical. I worked with an amazing movement coach Jean-Louis Rodrigue to dig into the character. Sonya as an archetype, in the context of this movie, is the matriarch of the group. She always has her eye on what everyone is doing, making sure they are safe. Always keeping watch and keeping tabs on everyone. This is not dissimilar to the way a big cat moves around in the wilderness, prowling and keeping watch. So we integrated the mother and the physicality of a big cat into the work I was doing. It helped me to own the space that I was in and understand my place in what is a large ensemble of complex characters. Then I was able to delve into the emotional.
What’s a moment in your career that really shifted your perspective on acting or the industry?
My first American job, The Vow. I will never forget it. First of all, I couldn’t believe I was on set with Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange, and Sam Neill. But outside of that, the thing that stood out to me was just how collaborative the process was. I remember sitting down in the trailer and having the hair and makeup team ask me what worked for me, how they could help make me feel the best in my own skin. Discussions about how my character would move through the world and represent themselves. I was shocked. After coming off a TV job where we had absolutely no say, I found it extremely liberating and freeing, as I had some agency over my character. It gave me a lot of confidence as I was able to feel good in my body and hence, be freer in my performance. Every department operated in this way, and it was very special. Another thing that stood out to me was how unbelievably gracious the cast and the creatives were. There was a real sense of equality. The producers, the director, the actors, they made me feel confident to take up space and say my piece. It really opened my eyes to how fantastically collaborative a film set can be. It is no surprise that some of those people are still my dearest friends today.
With projects like The Meg and your upcoming work in the horror space, what excites you about stepping into high-stakes, genre-driven storytelling?
I love playing characters that depart from me as a person, the more insane and unhinged, the better. I think there is something so fun, scary, and challenging in taking on a role where the stakes are much higher than in real life, as it gives you the freedom to respond in a heightened way. There are not too many scenarios in real life where one can respond with pure, physical rage. Or scream from a place of deep fear. You get to take on parts of yourself that most people hopefully don’t get to explore.
When you’re not working, what does a perfect day off look like for you?
Going for coffee. Immediately on waking. A good coffee. Then a walk and a listen to a podcast, or a gym session. A day spent with family and friends at a BBQ and/or afternoon cocktails with the girls. Ending with a good movie or a binge of some reality TV, in bed. That, or a day in Capri is also not bad.
What’s something personal you’ve learned about yourself through the roles you’ve taken on?
The older I get and the more life experience I have, the better I am at my job. It is f***ing crazy that historically women age out of Hollywood. The women who have aged more are by far the most interesting. I hope I get to continue to age and work. In that order.
How would you describe your personal style and what makes you feel most confident when you’re getting dressed?
My style changes based on my mood. Day to day, I love a good basic tee with a great jean and a cute flat, or an easy breezy dress. But come the weekend, I like to get a little more flirty. Showing a little skin, whether a leg or some chest, tends to be a common thread for me. But regardless, I feel like a slob if I don’t have good hair. A good blowout is key to bringing it all together.