Exclusive Interview: Michelle McLeod Chats Women Talking, Evoking Change Through Art, and More

Michelle McLeod is a rising young star who is captivating audiences with her award-winning performance in Women Talking.

Based on the best-selling novel by Miriam Toews, Women Talking follows a group of women in an isolated religious colony as they struggle to reconcile their faith with a series of sexual assaults committed by the colony’s men.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Michelle about Women Talking, how she hopes the film evokes change and conversation, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling and the arts?
Michelle: I was able to discover my passion for acting by watching movies. When I was growing up, movies were a magical escape for me. I would watch musicals with my grandmother, and I just thought they were so fun! People were laughing, singing, and dancing…how could you not want to do that? When I really liked a musical or movie, I would end up watching it constantly, upwards of three times a day even, until I memorized the whole thing. I found the actors on the screen mesmerizing. I always knew I wanted to be one of those people on screen bringing joy to others through storytelling. To me, it was a thrill of a lifetime.

PC: You’ve been a part of this industry since you were eleven. Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Michelle: The biggest influence on my career has been the drive to never give up. I used to watch celebrity bio stories on the biography channels to take in how each star had risen to their claim to fame. Most actors start out with a dream, but it was their consistency, hard work, and drive that made them realize their dreams. Knowing this has always motivated me to keep going no matter what. Everything takes hard work and dedication. Think of the Beatles and the 10,000-hour theory. You just keep steadfast in your dreams. This industry is not an easy one to navigate, especially when you don’t fit into idealized social constructs. As an actor, however, I have an incredible support team in my life, and I just can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

PC: You’re one of the stars of Women Talking. Tell us about the film, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Michelle: As soon as I read the script for this film, I knew that this film was special. When I first received my sides to audition, I didn’t have any reference information regarding the book or the real-life events, so I did some research. I ended up watching all the documentaries on which this story is based on and then instantly bought Miriam Toews’ book and read it that day. It resonated with me so intensely because I could empathize with these women. Because of this, I knew that I had to do my absolute best at representing the characters in the story.

I play Mejal, one of the younger women. To me, she represents a bridge between the youths and matriarchs of the families. She is a woman wise beyond her years who has buried her trauma as a coping mechanism. Having been through trauma myself, I understand what it is like to feel the shame that surrounds mental health and anxiety, and I thought of this role as an opportunity to validate Mejal’s experience and contribute to a discussion that can hopefully evoke change.

PC: This is such an important film, and it’s based on real-life events. Did that bring a different weight to this project?
Michelle: Absolutely! The real-life events are the catalyst to the book, the film, and the discussions surrounding it. Can you even imagine? Women, whose only job is to trust men and God, were meant to believe that they deserved the trauma bestowed on them just because they were women. How tragic is that? How could I not feel the weight of these women who do not have a voice? The empathy it created in me knowing my own female perspective… I can only hope that this film is able to expose these unspoken truths and stop situations like this from happening again.

PC: There’s a scene in the film where your character shows her vulnerability. As an actress, how did you prepare for that moment in particular?
Michelle: When I first auditioned for Sarah [Polley], it was the height of the pandemic. Mental health was becoming a more prolific topic. I had experienced my first bout of depression and panic attacks while in the pandemic. Not knowing what it was at the time, I had to learn a lot about the effects of mental health and how to cope with them.

In my audition, I relived the fear I had felt in my first panic attack. It was probably the most vulnerable I have ever been in an audition. While filming, we were so lucky to have such a safe space. We filmed in chronological order, so I had the opportunity to see my fellow actors show their vulnerability before me and it truly inspired me. Not only did I feel inspired, but I felt brave and incredibly supported by everyone. All our tough scenes concluded with group hugs.

PC: Sarah is also an actress. Is the filming experience different when the writer-director has also worked in front of the camera? What was that collaboration like?
Michelle: Well, number one, Sarah is a genius. She was so interesting to watch. So supportive, smart, and incredibly empathetic. Sarah always took the opportunity to check in with all of us. Having had the experience herself as an actor, she was so incredibly giving to us, making us all feel like this film was truly an ensemble piece. She asked our opinions and allowed us to be a part of the conversation. The support she provided for us and her commitment to our emotional safety were incredible. I could also see that Sarah knew exactly what she was doing with this film. She is a visionary. We are so grateful to have her as our fearless leader.

PC: With this being such an important piece of art, what do you hope audiences take away after they see it?
Michelle: I hope this movie provokes thought and conversation. I know this is called Women Talking, but the topics discussed in the film are not strictly mirrored in the feminist experience. The film asks a lot of questions regarding our history as a systemic species, prompting us to imagine what our future could look like. If people walk out of this film having learned something, felt something, or gained a new perspective on something, that to me is the greatest feeling ever, and I hope it influences people to tell more stories like this.

PC: What’s next for you?
Michelle: Right now, I am just riding the wave of this film. The journey hasn’t ended yet, and I am so thankful that I have been included in the circuit of this film and the many opportunities I’ve been given to have vulnerable conversations about what this film means to me. I feel so incredibly proud, and I hope that once this ride is over I just keep getting to do what I love: act.

To keep up with Michelle, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Women Talking in theaters today.

Photo Credit: Calyssa Loraine

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