By Nisim Frank
Two is better than one-double trouble twins- especially when we're talking about Sophie and Eloise Lovell Andersen. Dubbed the "The L.A. Twins" originally from the United Kingdom, currently crossing over the pond and ready to take America by storm. Having just appeared on the FX hit series "The Bastard Executioner" (created by Kurt Sutter of "Sons of Anarchy") together, heads turned during their scene-stealing work, both by fans and amongst their veteran co-stars. Needing to learn more about them and their journey thus far into acting, we set up a Skype call while they were back in the UK to chat about all things Sophie and Eloise both as twins and as separate individuals. Bright, funny, and sarcastic, both Sophie and Eloise were ready to answer any and everything thrown their way. Find out which twin worked with legendary actor Anthony Stewart Head, who can't live without a "goddess headpiece", and what amazing work outs they both do to stay in the amazing shape that they are both in. Alone and together, they are ones to watch out for this year.
Nisim Frank: Tell us about how you decided to get into acting.
Eloise Lovell Andersen: Growing up, we were both vastly interested in film, I remember we used to do little plays together on camera- the first one we did was Indiana Jones, we had this natural gravitation towards film. We were at school and we did speech and drama, always in the plays together and it was inevitable that we were going to end up doing it as adults.
Sophie Andersen: We would act out our favorite films together and our dad would record us so we'd have a lot of home videos. We also did a lot of athletics and relay teams together, dance school, we got used to being a team and we both really had the same interests.
NF: Do you enjoy doing acting roles together or relish to do some work on your own?
SA: We love working together, it comes naturally to us. I know if I'm acting with Eloise, I always know that where I can bounce off with a person that I'm acting next to, which is always a great opportunity. It's a natural chemistry that we have and with other actors, it could take some more time to build that. It's always fantastic to utilize that but at the same time, we aren't the same person so it's nice to explore and experience life by yourself.
EA: I agree completely. It was super exciting for us to come together when we worked on "The Bastard Executioner". I relish the opportunity to work with my sister, I actually get most excited working with her because I think we can take it to this next level- which is a credit to her! We are both on this path and also embrace the opportunities we get as individuals collectively.
NF: That's great! Have you guys ever competed for the same role?
::Both twins laugh::
EA: Yes!
NF: Do you want to talk about it? Is it weird?
EA: I feel like there are times when it comes up- not recently- but when it does, we look at it as two people who are in the same craft going for a job. It's inevitable that its going to happen and you don't make a big deal out of it. When I go into any audition, I try to put myself into a headspace that I need to concentrate on what I'm trying to do.
:: Eloise to Sophie:: "I think you're the same."
SA: No no, I bring my hitman!
::All Laugh::
EA: Oh wow! That's a different approach!
SA: I think the way to look at it as "Whatever will be, will be and life will turn out the way that it should."
NF: Eloise, I know you've worked with Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Little Britain, Merlin). Tell us a little bit about how it was working with the legendary British actor.
EA: I worked with him on "Here After," he just switches it on! I remember he had this big speech and it was the first day we've met him, he had this giant monologue to go on for a lifetime and he was joking around with us all be-fore. He was even saying that he doesn't really know if he memorized it! He was just so professional and a lot of fun!
NF: Tell us a little bit about your personal style.
SA: I find that I've gone through phases but I feel like I'm mostly laid back but a bit paradoxical in my fashion sense. Half of me is very laid-back, tomboy, sportswear luxe, it's comfortable and bad ass at the same time! There is this other side of me that wants to wear a dress with the brightest color, so it's a bit of a strange mix ,at times but I try to keep the crazy side under control! I realize I can be a bit of a tomboy, so I feel the need to amp it up and go crazy and dress loud and fun.
EA: Like Sophie, we're both really into sportswear and are very athletic. Sophie is into kickboxing, I am into Muay Thai and I think the sport luxe thing runs prevalent to that. I'm a sneaker freak so I love my Nike Trainers and in my leg warmers at home. Where we differ, I idolize this "warrior mixed with boho thrown in there" look, I prefer high boots when I go out and love a goddess head-dress- I'm always thinking what goddess head dress I could wear next!
NF: Tell us what type of style you would like on a man?
EA: Wow! ::laughs:: How honest do I have to be!?
NF: As honest as you want to be.
EA: I love guys that have this sporty vibe to him. I love a guy that can look equally as good in the gym just around the house with their joggers on- preferably with no shirt on! Then I love somebody who is just really comfortable in their own skin. I think you can tell when the clothes are wearing them as opposed to rocking their own expression of themselves which is really powerful and sexy. I don't mind too much what a guy wears as much as it's incorporated into his personality and how comfortable they are with themselves.
SA: I feel like my type of guys style is "Rambo" at home but can put on a nice suit! I think that sums it up in one sentence!
NF: Absolutely! Tell us what you guys are both doing with FX and your future plans.
SA: "The Bastard Executioner" is our big thing that we got to do together and it's been a platform for us to really get to act together all the time like when we were younger, it's really our driving force. We love together, this has been such a great job, working with Stephen Moyer, he's a fantastic actor. Kurt Sutter as a creative force behind it was incredible and an amazing overall experience.
EA: That being said, we have a couple of projects coming up that we're filming in the States. We can't say exactly yet. The next two projects are together as well. We're very excited and ready for everything coming up!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Sophie + Eloise Lovell Anderson and FX Network
Nisim Frank is based in NYC and is the Co-Founder of Labeling Men.
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