Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip LEILA FARZAD • bring the truth and unblock the emotion (I Hate Suzie / Black Mirror / The Decameron) #691
Oct 14, 2026
Leila Farzad, the British-Iranian actor known for I Hate Suzie, Black Mirror and The Decameron, opens up about carving her own path through theatre, film and television. She discusses growing up between cultures, surviving rejection, the emotional truth behind her performances, and working on Black Mirror, The Marvels and Chaos. They also explore social media, political echo chambers, comedy and the search for meaningful roles.
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The Hug That Unblocked An Emotional Scene
- Leila Farzad struggled to access tears after years of suppressing emotion and trying to stay composed.
- A supportive makeup artist’s hug physically released the emotion that preparation alone could not unlock.
Why Trying Not To Cry Works Better
- Emotional acting often works better when performers resist tears rather than visibly chase them.
- Anthony Hopkins’s advice reframed truthful performance as reproducing people’s real effort not to cry.
Finding A Cultural Home Between Worlds
- Leila Farzad felt culturally misplaced both in England and Iran, where she lacked language and shared references.
- Italian friends offered a comfortable middle ground between Iranian family culture and English life.