Lucy Davis learned a lot about herself playing Etta Candy in “Wonder Woman”
When an actor takes on a role in a movie, they don’t always relate to their character. But sometimes, the stars align and they’re blessed with a perfect pairing. For Lucy Davis, her Wonder Woman role was completely transformative.
Davis plays Etta Candy, Steve Trevor’s bubbly, red-headed secretary. The actress said she didn’t know much about Etta at first, but she quickly dove into her world — and loved what she found. At a recent Wonder Woman press event, Davis opened up about just how much playing Etta changed her life.
“She’s unapologetically herself. It took me a long time in my life to be that. I was so glad to play it, and feel what that was like, because I’m not someone who brings a Stanislavski book to my trailer.
It’s so fun to watch Etta become more sure of herself after meeting Diana and seeing her independence.
“She’s in this age where she is dominating in a man’s world, and [Diana] comes in with one little sentence: ‘I call that slavery.’ It changes how Etta gets to be completely, and gives her that confidence. I guess Etta needed the permission to do it. And we don’t need permission, do we? We can just all be ourselves without it. But we do look for the permission.
That’s one of the biggest reasons we love Wonder Woman so much: The strong female characters.
Director Patty Jenkins added that Wonder Woman herself has always been a huge source of inspiration for her. In fact, Jenkins still looks up to her.
“She inspires me still. Ever since she did when I was a kid, to be all things that I want to be. To have love and to have weakness. And have a sense of humor and have greatness. And think for yourself. And decide when’s the moment, Jenkins said. “Honestly, it’s like a spiritual model I believe in.
We agree completely. Wonder Woman is our religion!