‘Bring Her Back’ star doesn’t want an Oscar nod: “I’d give anything not to be nominated”

Celebrated British actor Sally Hawkins has revealed she would “give anything” to avoid being nominated for an Oscar for horror film Bring Her Back.

Best known for her role as Mrs Brown in the first two Paddington movies, Hawkins has been part of a number of award-winning films. She has been nominated for an Oscar twice – first for Best Supporting Actress in 2014 for Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, and then Best Actress for 2018’s The Shape Of Water. The latter film would go on to win Best Picture and Best Director for Guillermo Del Toro.

Her role in Bring Her Back, as a deranged foster parent with dark intentions, has won rave reviews, but in a new interview with The Times she said she finds the process of awards season overwhelming.

“Oh my God, I’d give anything not to (be nominated)!” she said. “People like Frances McDormand get up there and they’re phenomenal: brilliant, smart, so funny, generous. I would fall apart and just be an idiot. And the dresses, and the pressure to wear this or that designer … It’s so overwhelming for an introvert in a very loud world”.

Elsewhere in the interview, Hawkins addressed not appearing in Paddington In Peru, instead following Paul King (who directed the first two films) to make Wonka, where she played Timothée Chalamet’s mother.

Emily Mortimer replaced her for the third instalment of the family franchise. “I feel so awful about Paddington 3,” she said, “but Hugh (Bonneville, who played Mr Brown) did get an upgrade — I adore Emily Mortimer”.

NME spoke with Bring Her Back directors Michael and Danny Philippou last month, who were full of praise for the star. “We’re obsessed with moviemaking and she is too,” said Danny, “so the idea of going down the rabbit hole with her on a character level was the most amazing thing ever.”