Ellie Bamber praised supermodel and designer Kate Moss as “an enigma of a person”, and said it was “really empowering” to play her.
The actress, 29, stars as Moss in a biographical drama film which has been executive produced by the model, which explores her unlikely friendship with famous British painter Lucian Freud.
Bamber praised the supermodel for handling herself “so incredibly” in the public eye while speaking to the Press Association at a photocall for the film, titled Moss & Freud.
The actress said: “I found it really empowering playing Kate because, for me, it’s a coming-of-age story of a woman who’s going into motherhood.
“I felt like I really stepped into my power, and I was able to understand that Kate is very good at rolling the punches and being a really confident decision maker.”
The runway star, who is one of the most photographed women in the world, started her friendship with Freud in the early 2000s after she was introduced to the artist by his daughter Bella, who is a fashion designer.
Freud, who died in 2011 aged 88, collaborated with Moss over a period of nine months to create a painting of her while she was 28 years old and pregnant, titled Naked Portrait (2002).
Bamber told PA: “I think that (the film) just talks about all kind of aspects of like a creative industry, and the vulnerable place you put yourself when you are in the public eye or in a public facing world.
“I think Kate just handles herself so incredibly. She has such charisma and poise, and she’s such an enigma as a person.
“I think (the film) says a lot about female vulnerability.”
The actress – known for Nocturnal Animals (2016), Les Miserables (2018) and The Serpent (2021) – wore a simple red bandeau top with a pastel yellow trim, which she paired with a maxi black skirt, to the event at Selfridges in central London.
Bamber wore her flame-red hair in loose, natural waves and was flanked by award-winning actor Sir Derek Jacobi, who stars alongside her in the film as titular character Freud.
Sir Derek told PA that Bamber is “the most lovable lady and wonderful actress” as he hailed working with her, adding: “She is a wonderful person to be able to work with and take from, because she gives so much.”
The stars posed for pictures together, with Bamber embracing 87-year-old Sir Derek – who wore a simple navy blue suit, white shirt and a patterned blue tie to the photocall.
Moss, 52, shot to global fame as a model in her teen years in the 1990s following her breakout cover on The Face magazine, before later becoming the face of Calvin Klein fragrance Obsession.
Her collaboration with Freud was of public interest as the artist famously turned down many high-profile portrait commissions including one of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Moss & Freud will be available to watch in cinemas across the UK from May 29.
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