Elizabeth Debicki has established herself as one of the most compelling talents of her generation, combining elegance and presence. The Australian made her breakout performance in The Great Gatsby, moving on to give commanding performances in Tenet, Widows, and The Night Manager.
Yet it is perhaps The Crown, and a stunning portrayal of the late Princess Diana, that has defined the 35-year-old most. Her performance was such that she clinched a Golden Globe. Yet, the achievement came with an unexpected downside, namely it was so good that many found it difficult to shake the association, despite the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and MaXXine scoring huge box office success. Next up, Debicki stars in The Adventures of Bill Booth, directed by Quentin Tarantino and co-starring Brad Pitt. As challenges go, it’s big, with a movie that blends dark humor, tension and intricate character dynamics… like there was ever a Tarantino movie that didn’t! Debicki is a big advocate for fashion, art, literature and global culture. At the same time, romantically she is said to be dating actor and musician Kristian Rasmussen, although the couple has kept their relationship largely under wraps. STRIPLV: What attracted you to The Adventures of Bill Booth? DEBICKI: The script is layered and darkly humorous, with characters that felt real and unpredictable. Working with Quentin Tarantino is an opportunity to explore almost any facet of being an actor that you would like. Mistique, dialogue, timing, the unspoken – it's all there. STRIPLV: What impresses you most about Quentin? DEBICKI: He is solid; he is consistent. What you see publicly is what you see professionally. I like the fact he doesn’t suffer fools gladly, because in the nicest way I don’t either, and none of us really should. Mostly, I think you know you are going to get a fair and frank exchange. Some people have said he is difficult and abrasive to work with, but for me the truth really is that if you want to get the very best out of someone you need to be upfront, straight and honest; and what I really like about working with him is that you are afforded the licence to do the same back the other way, which again is probably something most people wouldn’t expect. So at the end of it all you get a perfectly straight vision, where nothing is left on the table; and I think most people will agree that is the best way to create brilliant cinema. STRIPLV: So on the same line of thought then, how do you prepare for a role in a Tarantino film? DEBICKI: Preparation is both technical and emotional. Tarantino’s dialogue is specific, so timing and rhythm matter, but you also have to inhabit the character’s internal life in a way that’s intense and driven. You can’t go in half-hearted because you will get found out. STRIPLV: Away from the film set, you are known as a real lover of fashion. How do you view it and what does it mean to you? DEBICKI: I see fashion as an extension of storytelling. It’s about confidence and presence rather than just style. I enjoy exploring textures, silhouettes and subtle statements that reflect mood or character. I like pieces that feel thoughtful and have always gravitated towards designers who have that sense of structure in their work. Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton is somebody I know and admire - the way he shapes clothes is incredible. STRIPLV: Do you go to the various Fashion Weeks? DEBICKI: Yes, I do check them out. Fashion week in Paris has been especially inspiring for me. Being in the room and seeing how an entire collection unfolds- the lighting, the music, the set design- it all feels like theatre, and there is a big performance aspect in there, so it actually sits quite closely to my “day job”! I remember sitting at a Dior show and being struck by how every element was curated to create a mood, not just a runway of clothes. That’s where fashion crosses into drama, and that intersection has always fascinated me. STRIPLV: What’s your favorite item of clothing? DEBICKI: Oh wow, I have an absolute obsession with coats. Maybe it comes from growing up in Melbourne and then moving around colder cities for work, but I really appreciate beautiful winter wear. A great coat can transform the simplest outfit into something powerful. I’ve collected pieces over the years, from a long Max Mara camel coat to a sharply tailored Celine trench, and they’re items I come back to every season. They don’t ever seem to age, unlike me! STRIPLV: How do you balance fame and privacy? DEBICKI: I try to maintain boundaries. Ultimately, protecting private moments and staying grounded helps me maintain who I am, because I’m never going to be a slave to the interest. Some people in this industry are happy to expose themselves totally to everyone who sees, but for me my private life is a very personal thing, and I think after a while the press respect that fact and keep their distance. STRIPLV: What are some of your interests outside of acting? DEBICKI: Art, literature, travel, and music are important. I enjoy seeing exhibitions, reading widely, and exploring new cultures. These experiences inform my creativity and provide perspective, which then feeds back into my work. STRIPLV: You grew up in Australia from the age of five, before moving into the international film world. What did that part of your life give you? DEBICKI: Growing up in Melbourne gave me this built-in sense of ease, I think. Australians have a knack for keeping things grounded, and there’s a lot of humor woven into everyday life. I remember those long, hot summers where you’d practically live at the beach, and that feeling of wide-open space has never left me. When I go back now, the pace instantly shifts, like my shoulders drop an inch. It’s the best reminder of where I came from. STRIPLV: Do you feel a connection to other Australians working in film? DEBICKI: Definitely. There’s this unspoken bond when you meet another Aussie on set! You swap stories about growing up on opposite sides of the country, and suddenly you’ve found a shorthand. Working with people like Cate Blanchett or Hugh Jackman feels a bit like bumping into extended cousins at a family BBQ! And of course, we always manage to find each other in random cafés in LA or at Sydney airport, which makes the world feel very small. STRIPLV: What were some of your early influences before acting took over? DEBICKI: My parents were ballet dancers, so I grew up surrounded by music and movement. I was in leotards practically before I could walk. I trained in ballet for years and thought that was going to be my path. In the end, theatre pulled me in a different direction, but the discipline and physical awareness from ballet stayed with me. I still catch myself moving in ways that feel very ‘balletic’, even if I’m just reaching for the kettle. STRIPLV: Outside of work, what do you enjoy most when you’re not on a set? DEBICKI: Give me the ocean any day. I think once you grow up near water, you’re spoiled for life; nothing else feels quite as restorative. I’ll happily spend a day swimming or just sitting with a book by the sea. Speaking of books, I always travel with a stack, sometimes too many. And I love cooking. It’s my way of switching my brain off. During one long shoot I actually packed an Ottolenghi cookbook in my luggage because I missed pottering around in my kitchen so much. STRIPLV: Is there something about you that fans might be surprised to learn? DEBICKI: People are usually shocked by how much I love comedy. Because of my height and the dramatic roles I’ve played, everyone assumes I live in Shakespearean tragedy mode, but in real life, I laugh constantly. I grew up on Kath & Kim, which is very specific Australian humor, and I still go back to it when I need cheering up. It’s good for keeping me from taking myself too seriously.
DEBATING DEBICKI
The Australian actress proving she is just as commanding on the small screen as she is on the silver screen. Though Elizabeth Debicki is often praised for her towering presence in films, her television work has been equally impressive.
She first turned heads in The Kettering Incident (2016), a brooding Australian mystery. Then, in The Night Manager (2016), she stole scenes opposite Tom Hiddleston. A year later came The Tale (2018), a devastating HBO drama, while she flexed her comedic side in Peter Rabbit (voice role, 2018) and returned to serious drama with Lovecraft Country (2020).
Yet it was The Crown (2022–2023) that cemented her reputation on the small screen, as Debicki’s portrayal of Princess Diana drew worldwide acclaim.