Vintage jacket stylist’s own, **MARKARIAN** dress, **JIMMY CHOO** shoes, and **JENNY** **BIRD** earrings.
During these times of helplessness and in a world, or rather country, where there’s an overwhelming abundance of evil at present, the fight between good vs. evil being fought by an order of badass combat-trained young nuns becomes an incredibly appealing thing to watch. Thus, enter Netflix’s new hit series _Warrior Nun_ based on Ben Dunn’s comic books. One of the show’s stars, Kristina Tonteri-Young, discusses her role playing the compassionate, graceful, and fearless fighter that is Sister Beatrice.
**Can you tell us a bit about yourself to start? Where are you from? How did you get into acting? What are your favorite things in the world?**
I was born in Finland, and I moved to New York City at the age of 6. I got into acting around the age of 16, after training as a ballet dancer since I was 3. After sustaining a few injuries I decided it would be a much healthier and more joyful use of my life to pursue telling stories and hopefully inspiring others through theater and film. I went to a few Shakespeare summer courses at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London) and took some acting technique classes at The Acting Studio in New York, then applied to Drama schools in London. I attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London on their Bachelor of Arts course.
Some of my favorite things in the world? Freedom, to be straightforward. Exploring. The moment when you’re totally immersed in something and the world around you falls away. But on a more immediate note; books, I’ve recently re-read some of my favorites, Maurice by E.M Forster for example, and Blindness by Jose Saramago. I love the mountains and climbing, surfing, and nature.
**What was preparation like for the role of Sister Beatrice?**
Of course I did some research into religion and what it actually takes to be a nun. But a lot of the research was ultimately internal within myself, finding the strings that connect me to her emotionally, finding ways to relate to her on a very deep emotional level. When we arrived in Spain we were carted straight to the stunt warehouse to begin stunt training with the other girls, which was great to immediately build the trust and dynamics between the nuns. I learned some choreography with the Bo-Staff and some knife throwing, and we also learned to shoot guns, which was amazing!
**What was the most challenging part of portraying this character for you?**
According to the character description she’s reserved and Zen spirited, she’s analytical and intelligent, but I didn’t want to play her as a cold, unemotional character. I wanted there to be this great well of emotional depth within her, that perhaps she’s chosen to keep at bay, but the challenge comes with showing that in a way that is subtle but clear. I wanted her to be a warm person, so even if she cannot always show all her emotions, they are definitely there simmering under the surface. It’s a delicate balance to strike.
**How do you feel the series stays true to the comic series?**
In the spirit of it. It honors Ben Dunn’s work in its mentality and in its message of female empowerment and badassery. Even if the style is drastically different it still respects the original work.
**BROOKS BROTHERS** blouse and **BALLY** pants.
**Do you believe in the supernatural at all? And the fight between good and evil?**
I believe there are energies and forces in the world that we don’t yet understand, that may influence us without our immediate knowledge. But the fight between good and evil is very real and tangible in the day to day. The fight for equality and acceptance, against discrimination and bigotry, the fight for the good of the many, not just the financial gains of a few. The fight to cultivate compassion, understanding and common sense rather than breed fear and selfishness. The supernatural can probably take a backseat until the more immediate dangers to people’s lives and livelihoods, and to our planet, have been sorted out. Not to get all political on anyone.
**How do you feel the storyline reflects and is useful for our current times?**
I think it sends out a message of togetherness. Foremost between women, but also more generally. The importance for women to stand alongside other women, to support each other and to grow together as a unit. It also poses the question of wether we should always believe everything we’re told. It encourages a necessary curiosity and questioning of our position in the world, wether we should just lay down and accept our lot in life or wether we actually have executive control and responsibility to change our lives and the world for the better.
**Other than acting, what other passions do you have?**
I love surfing. No better feeling than being in the water letting the waves take you. I also love hiking and mountaineering. I’m passionate about small, beautiful details so I love costume making and sewing. Also classical music.
**How have you been keeping creative during the last few months of quarantine?**
I‘ve sewn a few pieces of clothing, painting, reading books. I wrote a silly one act play inspired by Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”, about quarantine, loneliness and feeling like you don’t know how you got to this point in your life and don’t know where you’re headed. Frankly it’s ridiculous, but it was also distracting, which was its primary purpose!
**KHAITE** jacket, **BROOKS BROTHERS** blouse and **BALLY** pants.
**What are you currently reading?**
I touched on it earlier on, but I’m currently reading _Blindness_ by Jose Saramago, and I just finished _Perfume:The Story of a Murderer_ by Patrick Süskind. I also started reading _Museum of Innocence_ by Orhan Pamuk.
**Current music obsessions?**
Ray Noble, The Animals and George Frideric Handel’s Water Music Suites.
**What’s the first thing you’re going to do when the pandemic is (hopefully) over?**
Hug my friends. Get a cat. Travel as much as I can. That’s all.
Photographer: Stephanie Diani
Stylist: Jared Depriest
Hair: Joshua Murphy
Makeup: Min Min Ma
Stylist’s Assistant: Jared White
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