FM42: Coral, when did you first realize that you wanted to become an actress? Was there a particular moment, person, or film that inspired you to choose this path?
Coral: Well, I don’t think there was a specific moment that I can remember, I just knew that this is the path for me. I’ve been acting since I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to be an actress. I have started this journey very early on, and actually, my kindergarten teacher told my dad that I would be an actress only at two years old. Apparently she was a fortune teller, because I guess she was right, I am. I really feel like this is my calling, there was no other question for me about what to do in my life. It’s not your typical route of course, and I knew it would be hard, but I just went for it and did my thing. I was lucky to get an agent at 13, and started my journey.
FM42: Looking back at your career so far, is there a project you would describe as a turning point — a moment when you felt that something truly changed in your professional life?
Coral: Yes. The Ark was definitely a major turning point for me. It was the biggest role I had ever played, and maybe even more importantly, it was the first project I did after recovering from cancer, so it meant a lot to me on a very personal level. It not only gave my career a wonderful boost, but also did something for my confidence and self-esteem. It reminded me that I was on the right path, and that cancer hadn’t taken that part of me away. I also absolutely loved playing Lati. And the story isn’t over yet! Season 3 is currently running, and who knows, maybe Season 4 is right around the corner!
FM42: What is it about acting that draws you in the most — the chance to become someone completely different, to explore human nature, or to tell stories that feel meaningful to you?
Coral: I really like how you described it, exploring human nature. I’d say that’s definitely one of the strongest reasons I’m drawn to acting. Personally, I love the feeling of being present in a scene, and the feeling of freedom I feel when I act. It’s the only time the world disappears and I feel actually alive.
And not only that, Acting actually felt safe for me, when I think about it. It’s my safe space. The real world has always felt unknown to me, and too much. But when I hop into the text or even improve it all feels easy, and I feel at home. Weirdly, I feel like I am actually myself and living to my full potential when I am acting.
It’s actually when I feel safest, which might sound a little strange. I think there’s something about the safety of the script and the imaginary circumstances that allows me to completely let go, spread my wings, and be more free than I ever am in everyday life. That feeling of freedom and presence is pretty addictive, honestly.
FM42: Are you currently more drawn to film and television, or to theater? What does each medium give you as an actress?
Coral: Honestly, I’m drawn to all three, and I really hope to keep working across film, television, and theater throughout my career. I don’t see the difference between on-camera acting and theater as being as big as people sometimes think.
Both require the same commitment and the same fundamental tools from the actor. There are adjustments to make depending on the medium, of course, but at the core, the job is the same: an actor should always live truthfully within the circumstances, whether they’re on a stage, in a film, or on a TV set.
For me, I personally really love working on camera. I feel like I thrive there and I love ho much room there is to experiment. But there’s also something incredibly magical about theater. There’s a particular kind of flow you can only find on stage, where you’re sharing the experience with the audience in real time, and every performance has its own life. I honestly love both, and I feel very lucky that I don’t have to choose.
FM42: What kind of roles are you dreaming of playing now? Is there a character you haven’t had the opportunity to portray yet, but would particularly love to explore?
Coral: At this point in my career, I’d honestly love to explore all kinds of characters. I’m constantly learning and growing as an actress, and I feel that I can bring something very different to characters I may have played earlier in my career.
But if I had to choose one, I would absolutely love to play a Jekyll and Hyde-type character. It just sounds like so much fun! The idea of switching between two completely different sides of the same person, characters who are connected and yet so fundamentally opposed, is incredibly exciting to me. It feels like such a great opportunity to really stretch myself as an actress, and honestly, I think it would be a crazy amount of fun.
FM42: How important is it for you that a character is different from who you are in real life? Do you prefer finding something of yourself in a role, or completely stepping outside your comfort zone?
Coral: Wow I love this. It’s such an interesting question because I think it atones to the actor’s process of coming into themselves. We are constantly changing, so it’s weird to say that I like playing characters that are close to me because for a long time, I didn’t know who me was. For a long time I wanted to play characters that are closer to me, that feel real in my body and soul, because to me it was like a case study. I got to explore my mind and soul, experiences and hopes. And now I feel like I want to get out of myself, play a little and have more fun. However, I see that even when I play characters that are really far away from myself, it’s still always me in them. In the core, it’s always me. So there’s not running away from myself actually.
FM42: Is there an actress or actor whose work you particularly admire and whose career has inspired you, even if you have never had the chance to work together?
Coral: I think it’s really important as an actor to look at the greatest out there and immerse yourself in their work, to become familiar with that level of artistry and excellence. There are so many actors who inspire me, like Jodie Comer and Andrew Scott, whose work I adore.
But the person I admire the most, learn from the most, and feel most inspired by is actually my husband, Boris Lukman. He is my absolute rock. He supports me in every aspect of my life, and we get to explore the deepest and most nuanced parts of acting together. We challenge each other, learn from each other, and have endless conversations about the craft. I feel incredibly lucky to have him by my side on this journey
FM42: Which part of the acting process excites you the most — reading a script for the first time, building a character, being on set, or that moment when a character finally comes alive in front of the camera?
Coral: I think the most agonizing part of the process is also the most important part, and that’s the homework. Analyzing the text, personalizing it, and really digging into the circumstances is crucial. That’s where I go inward and find all the “juice,” as you might call it. It’s definitely the hardest part for me, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling.
The part I love most, though, is what comes right after homework, which is performing. Getting to put all of that work on its feet and then let go of it is such an amazing feeling. Suddenly, everything becomes new again. You’re just there, moment to moment, responding to what’s happening and allowing yourself to be surprised. That feeling of being completely present and alive is ultimately why I fell in love with acting in the first place.
FM42: How has your relationship with acting changed since the beginning of your career? Do you feel more confident in yourself now, or is the sense of uncertainty still one of the things you find most exciting about this profession?
Coral: t has definitely changed. The things I thought were important at the beginning of my career don’t necessarily feel as important to me now. I don’t think I’ll ever get completely used to the uncertainty of the business. The fact that periods of unemployment are an unavoidable part of an actor’s life, no matter how far along you are. But actually, I love uncertainty when I’m actually acting.
There’s something incredibly exciting about getting to a place with a character where everything else disappears and all that matters is the moment. You don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, you just respond to what’s happening in front of you. That kind of uncertainty feels thrilling. I think that’s one of the things I’ve come to appreciate more and more about acting is allowing yourself to completely let go and trusting that anything can happen.
FM42: Are you currently working on any projects that you can tell us a little more about?
Coral: Currently, The Ark season 3 is out and you can watch that on peacock, SYFY channel, sky TV, or whatever VOD it’s on in your prospective country. The Pendragon Cycle, where I play Bebbin, has just reached North America and is on Prime Videos. So go and watch that! Soon, a Serbian show called “Samo on” will be coming out, where I play Rebecca. Besides that Boris and I are also playing in New Love, a duo drama play in Belgrade. Highly recommend! It’s such a fun, romantic comedy, and it’s something I want everyone to experience.
Ph credit cover image: Luanna Sue
