"Versailles" interview with Noémie Schmidt

Swiss actress Noémie Schmidt on portraying Henriette in "Versailles", wife of Philippe d'Orléans, mistress of his brother King Louis XIV, a woman steering through troubled waters with soft strength, and on feeling powerful in the 17th century costume


Foto: Noémie Schmidt - Copyright: Marie Brown
Noémie Schmidt
© Marie Brown

November 20, 2016 by Nicole Oebel @philomina_
Here's a German translation of the interview.

There is so much to discover and learn from "Versailles", that is remarkably modern as a historical series. What was the biggest suprise about working on this ambitious project?

It was a surprise to be part of it because it was my first big project as an actress and the whole thing was a wonderful discovering. The history, the costumes, the settings, the characters, everything was fascinating and new to me.

How did you feel when you looked in the mirror and Henriette looked back at you? And what do you admire about her?

I admire her soft strength and the love she feels for the two brothers. She is devoted, smart and gentle at the same time. I felt more powerful in the costume than the way I feel in real life.

In your very first scene Henriette and Louis make love while Louis orders Henriette to spy on his brother, her husband. How did you and George approach working on the intimate scenes together?

We had just met but did a lot of talking and get along very well. We rehearsed the scenes a lot with Jalil Lespert and had the space to talk about it very freely. The whole process was smooth and even pretty fun sometimes.

The relationship between Henriette and Philippe seems like the one of affectionate siblings. In the pilot though the "I want a son" scene sets her up as a victim and him as a villain. How do you see this scene in the overall picture of the development of their relationship?

The scene is very tense and sets a conflict between Henriette and Philippe but really is about Philippe and his brother. Henriette is constantly in the middle of their relationship and she is one of the victims of their conflict. We didn't want her to be Philippe's victim too long. In the serie you can tell that Philippe loved her, even if he teased her in a nasty way sometimes. Historically it's also how they would do it. We didn't want to hide the ugly truth.

The "You're more thorn than rose" scene has a fascinating dynamic from loud to soft. How was it shooting this firework with Alex?

One of my favorite scenes to shoot. Alex is a wonderful actor. You can love him in a scene and a second later you hate him with your guts. It was very interesting. Also it's the first time you see Henriette get angry. It was nice to have a go at it.

The tension between Henriette and the Chevalier sometimes mirrors the one between Philippe and Louis in that, like Philippe, Henriette never wins. Trading barbs with the Chevalier must have been fun to shoot though? Which scene do you remember best?

The one when he accuses my maid to steal from me. He was insufferable in the scene, very good piece of acting. I couldn't stand him. We laughed a lot.

Foto: Noémie Schmidt, Versailles - Copyright: Tibo & Anouchka / Capa Drama / Canal+
Noémie Schmidt, Versailles
© Tibo & Anouchka / Capa Drama / Canal+

The King chose Henriette to negotiate a highly important treaty. Her delicate and fragile features cosy King Charles along until she checkmates him. What do you think this moment meant for her at that point in her life?

It meant the world. She was a woman and she was chosen to have the complete trust of the King. Can you imagine the pressure? She did it beautifully and French history remembers it. It made her sick but I think she never regretted it. She was royalty and knew what it was to have an honor and to be worthy of it.

What was working on the last episode like, it must have taken a big chunk out of you filming these scenes?

Yes it was very hard and beautiful at the same time. I felt very connected with George and Alex and I'm grateful I got to work alongside these two great actors and people. We shared something silent, intimate and very deep. I'll always remember it.

You were part of beautiful festivity scenes as well as heartbreaking character moments. Was there a moment especially memorable on set that you learned a lot from?

I learned a lot from wearing a corset. It was a big deal to become conscious of how horrifying it was for theses women to walk around in such cages. It gave me a lot of perspective.

When "Versailles" returns with season 2 will you be watching to maybe meet your and Philippe's daughters?

Of course I'll be watching! I want to know what happens and I just can't wait to see all the characters grow and evolve. I'm very dearly in love with the show.

If you could spend some time with one of these historic figures - as they are portrayed on "Versailles", who would it be and what would you do?

I think it would be Montespan. She was quite the woman. Very interesting, witty, almost surreal character of the court. I think I understand why Louis was so madly in love with her. She was fascinating and Anna Brewster added an English je ne sais quoi in the show that makes her even more magical and attractive.

Thank you so much for making time for us, Noémie, we wish you all the best!

Related: Exclusive Interviews with the "Versailles" stars

Note: © myFanbase 2016 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

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