Josh O’Connor: ‘Making a film is a miracle nowadays’

Actor Josh O’Connor has said that making a film these days is almost a miracle, given the uncertainty of the industry.

The 35-year-old star’s latest film, Rebuilding, sees him play Dusty, a reserved Colorado cowboy whose ranch has been destroyed in a devastating wildfire.

Directed by writer-director Max Walker-Silverman, the film follows Dusty as he attempts to rebuild his life while living in a trailer community on a FEMA campsite, temporary accommodation provided to victims of natural disasters in the US.

Set against the backdrop of southern Colorado, Dusty also begins to reconnect with his ex-wife Ruby, played by The White Lotus actress Meghann Fahy, and their young daughter Callie-Rose, played by Australian actress Lily LaTorre.

O’Connor, who won an Emmy for his role in The Crown, spoke about filming the project amidst the 2023 US writers’ and actors’ strike.

“We had a fair bit of time off because right in the middle of the shoot there was the strike,” he told the Press Association.

“For about a week, we were on standby to see if we would get an exemption, which we ultimately did. During that time, I went exploring (in Alamosa, Colorado) and it was an incredible place.

“In the mountainous regions, you could see vast stretches of landscape that had been burned by wildfires.

“It’s such a relevant topic for many of the ranches in the area. But it was also a very special time.”

O’Connor said due to the rural location of the film he became quite close to the crew members.

“A lot of the cast are non-professionals, locals, and they’re really very dear to my heart,” he said.

“I stay in touch with many of them, like Dwight, who plays my farmer friend in the movie.

“He’s actually a farmer from Alamosa, and he’s super special. We’ve stayed in touch.

“Part of it is because the location is so remote, but also, making a film is a miracle, especially nowadays. It’s always a miracle.

“It’s an organisational challenge: you have people staying away from home, a script, actors, weather, so many things have to go right.

“On top of that, we’re all self-employed in different trades, so getting work is a real gift. There’s a real element of camaraderie in that.”

Reflecting on the diverse roles he has played so far in this career, O’Connor said he had always wanted to follow in the footsteps of actors such as Robin Williams and Gene Wilder.

“I’ve been really fortunate. When I was coming up as an actor, I really imagined myself doing theatre, but even so, I always dreamed of having a diverse career, taking on all sorts of roles,” he said.

“The actors I looked up to, like Robin Williams, Gene Wilder, or Daniel Day-Lewis, all had incredibly varied careers.

“They could do comedy, intense emotional roles, commercial films, independent movies, and theatre. That was the kind of career I aspired to.

“I don’t take it for granted, I’ve been very lucky to have had that opportunity.”

Rebuilding is in UK cinemas on Friday April 17.