Born in Tehran and raised in Zurich, Lara Wolf is now a naturalized New Yorker living in Brooklyn. Throughout her career, she has amassed impressive acting credits, including roles in Amazon’s “You Are Wanted,” guest-starring alongside Priyanka Chopra in “Quantico,” and acting opposite Jeremy Piven and Robert Carlyle in “The Performance.”

Lara now takes on the regal role of Queen Berenice in Peacock’s highly anticipated new show, “Those About To Die,” starring opposite the legendary Anthony Hopkins. Directed by the visionary Roland Emmerich, this gripping series delves into the dark side of ancient gladiatorial games, drawing compelling parallels between the brutal business of combat and contemporary entertainment.

Watch the trailer…

We connect with Lara to talk through her role as Queen Berenice and some sneak peeks at the show.

Read the interview…

Hey Lara! “Those About To Die” is about to launch. How are you feeling about its release?

I’m excited, yet I don’t want it to end! I love the anticipation and knowing this huge release is in the future. July 18th is approaching, and Peacock has already released an incredible trailer hinting at the intricate storylines and diverse characters clashing. It’s brilliant, and honestly, I couldn’t expect any less from industry titans Roland Emmerich, Robert Rodat, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and the unique co-director Marco Kreuzpaintner. “Those About To Die” will premiere on Peacock and Amazon Prime in Europe on July 19th. The fact that my friends back home in Zurich will watch it without delay is thrilling! I promise the hype is real; this show is unlike anything we’ve seen!

Could you share some insights into your role as Queen Berenice?

It was an honour to portray Berenice, and I felt a special connection with her. Something about it just felt right, even if not fully tangible or rationally explicable. Overall, I hope I did her justice. It was a wonderful, albeit terrifying, feeling to energetically step up and play a queen of such historical importance. The more I read about Queen Berenice, the more I understood the responsibility of portraying her. Her life unfolded against the backdrop of Roman-Jewish relations in the 1st century CE, known for navigating the political landscape through strategic marriages and alliances, and securing Rome’s favour for her people. To imagine such problems and responsibilities is unlike anything I’ve experienced. One of her notable relationships was with the Roman General Titus, played by Tom Hughes, son of the Roman Emperor Flavius Vespasian, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. I hope you enjoy my portrayal of Berenice and will be watching how the story unfolds.

What was it like working with Anthony Hopkins? Do you have any stories from working with him on set?

I’ve been a fan of his since I was a child, believing him to be one of the best and most legendary actors of our time. The idea of starring in the same show as him was absurd. There was no one better to play Emperor Flavius Vespasian than Sir Anthony Hopkins, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. On the day I was going to meet him, I noticed I wasn’t feeling well. Although I wasn’t scheduled for a COVID test, I insisted on getting tested, and of course, those two red lines appeared. I was immediately returned to the hotel and quarantined for a whole week — precisely the week Sir Anthony Hopkins was there. Can you feel my pain?

What drew you to the role of Queen Berenice?

It’s Queen Berenice! It’s funny, I’ve always dreamed of playing Cleopatra. In fact, I worked on Shakespeare’s Cleopatra in class years ago. I never believed I would be cast in a similar role years later, especially in a Peacock TV show starring Anthony Hopkins, directed by Roland Emmerich and Marco Kreuzpaintner. Besides, it was my first time playing a historical character, and it was fun researching in archives and libraries. I love Berenice, her story, and what she stood for. Overall, it was an honour to step into the royal shoes of Queen Berenice; it was incredible and terrifying in the best possible way.

“Those About to Die” draws comparisons between ancient gladiators and modern forms of entertainment. What kind of comparisons do you see between the two?

Some things are part of our human programming and may never change. So much of it seems related to our dopamine system. Ultimately, we’ve always chased dopamine highs; that’s why we enjoy laughter, suspense, or surprise. The spectacular nature of a gladiatorial game can easily be compared to a soccer game, except it’s not bloody and violent. The heroes of the past are today’s celebrities. Fans fill massive arenas and experience games communally. Let’s be honest: most of us are somewhat spectacle-driven sensationalists, and social media epitomizes it. Of course, today’s entertainment also involves economic interests. While our ethics have evolved and live entertainment is more civilized, ultra-violent video games show how that dark, primal need sneaks into today’s entertainment.

How did your upbringing in Tehran, Zurich, and New York shape your perspective as a creative?

I believe two things shape our creative perspective: experiences that trigger us emotionally and exposure to art (music, paintings, film, theatre, dance, etc.). Visits to Tehran created a need in me to tell stories of people living under oppression. It also heavily influenced my aesthetic sense, from carpets and architecture to fractalized patterns and colour palettes different from Swiss aesthetics. Growing up in Switzerland infused simplicity and calmness, reflected in colours and patterns. Ultimately, New York, bustling with creative energy, allowed me to channel it into acting, writing, singing, and even painting.

Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about that you can share with us?

There are two projects I’m excited about. One I can’t discuss yet, but it’s action-packed. The other is “Reading Lolita In Tehran”, a film directed by Eran Riklis, based on Azar Nafisi’s bestselling book. She was a Western literature professor in Tehran, forming her own underground book club after the 1979 revolution with her six favourite female students. I read the book at 16 and couldn’t believe it when it came up for a film audition. It’s a very meaningful project to me, and it’s about to hit the festival circuit.

Follow Lara on Instagram at @laradwolf