The 25-year-old actress, Máiréad Tyers, speaks openly, authentically, and charmingly, but becomes notably reticent when the topic shifts to her place of birth – Ballinhassig in Cork. On asking what the village is known for, she provides a few familiar names like Jacqui Hurley, an RTÉ broadcaster, and Patrick and Ger Collins, the Cork hurlers, along with Kirby’s, a well-liked eatery. She reveals how many people, unfamiliar with Ballinhassig, can recognise it if is mentioned as en route to Bandon.
However, sooner or later, Tyers’ own name may become the one most associated with Ballinhassig. While she may not have an Oscars-themed postbox near her familial home echoing fellow Irishman Cillian Murphy, Tyers’ impacts on stage and screen have been substantial, receiving critical acclaim for her starring role in the Disney+ superhero comedy, Extraordinary, now in its second season.
Tyers, who graduated from Rada in 2020, just recently garnered a Bafta nomination for Best Female Performance in a Comedy for her portrayal of Jen in Extraordinary. At the same time, her co-star Sofia Oxenham, who plays her on-screen best friend, Carrie, also secured a nomination within the same category. Additionally, Tyers received a nomination for a Royal Television Society Programme award, and Extraordinary was nominated for the best-scripted comedy.
However, don’t expect Tyers to make a fuss about her burgeoning acting portfolio. Interviewed from her north London home, she sat casually dressed in black with her auburn hair pulled back from her face, and modest gold hoop earrings. Her style mirrors her viewpoint on acting; unpretentious and down-to-earth. Her response to when she realised her acting prowess? She veers away from the question.
Tyers doesn’t aspire to the standard definition of ‘good’ in her acting. She believes prioritising being ‘good’ might lead her to self-consciousness, possibly compromising authenticity. She articulates this by saying, “Attempting to create something good tends to overrule being truthful. Concentrating on unveiling the reality of the character and conveying that narrative becomes pivotal. Striving to attain goodness may overshadow the authenticity due to the involvement of one’s ego.”
In the story titled “Extraordinary”, the narrative revolves broadly around the character named Jen, who is in her quest for discovering her unique superpower yet to be unlocked. This world grants every individual a distinctive superpower after they turn 18, which could range from rules that defy the laws of nature such as levitation or time-travel to summoning spirits. However, Jen yet hasn’t found hers. Amidst of all, she is also navigating typical adulthood challenges like maintaining her basic job, exploring love, and managing confrontations among her friends and flatmates.
When questioned if she identifies herself with the character, Tyers affirms. She states, “Seeing people flying might infer a supernatural world, but it resonates very well with our world. It incorporates relatable conflicts and themes of our world.”
The pleasing aspect of “Extraordinary” is the attractive humaneness of all characters. They are amusing, complex, and resonate on many levels, all wrapped up in an undertone of chaos and anxiety, beautifully accentuated by the cutting edge music from artists like Sleigh Bells, The Shins and Mitski. They may seem to be waving and not sinking – but they are all seeking support in each other as they try to comprehend the mystery of morphing into responsible adults.
Tyers is familiar with the unsettling sensation of being lost in life, a feeling often associated with the early stages of adulthood. Navigating the complex period of life after reaching her early twenties, she found herself overwhelmed and in a constant state of uncertainty. This stemmed from her transition from a structured university life, where she had a clear idea of her plans for the next three years, to a stop-start life post-graduation. She was propelled into the daunting situation of deciding where to live and how to finance her future. She strongly believes in luck playing a significant role in life’s trajectory and gets befuddled by people in their mid-twenties who seem to have everything in place.
Being engulfed by the acting realm started for Tyers when she was merely 14. Eager to perform, she sought solace in the Gaiety School of Acting at the Granary Theatre in Cork. Her desire to be under the spotlight lead her to the school, then managed by Tony McCleane Fay. Participating in this beloved programme introduced her to a close-knit community of theatre enthusiasts who spent free evenings at the Granary, enjoying an array of experimental performances by new talent.
The Granary Theatre also happens to be the birthplace of Disco Pigs, a revolutionary play debuted in the 90s by theatre company Corcadorca, featuring Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh as Pig and Runt. Their exceptional skill made a significant impact on Tyers.
“She expresses her admiration with a sense of awe for Eileen Walsh and another actor, both hailing from Cork. She’s watched Walsh’s performances on stage and in the show, Catastrophe, and keeps a close eye on many others from the acting field. She speaks wistfully of how Saoirse Ronan started her career at a young age and yearns for an equivalent opportunity in film. She wonders how these individuals began their careers and notes that while some are drama school graduates, others are not.
In her opinion, most of it comes down to sheer luck; being in the right location at exactly the right moment. She is irked by people who dismiss the role of luck in success, as she firmly believes that no single person is more deserving of an opportunity than another.
When asked if she thinks success comes from being prepared when opportunities arise, she agrees, but also highlights that this usually involves a degree of privilege. If one is financially stable when the opportunity presents itself, then they can seize it, and this, in turn, is privilege.
Tyers had her debut when she successfully surpassed the highly competitive auditions to study drama at Rada in London. She auditioned in Dublin, performing two pieces of Shakespeare and a snippet of the play Desolate Heaven, penned by Cork’s Ailís Ní Ríain. She recalls that the play was being performed in their local theatre, the Everyman, during her audition period. She found a unique and personal connection with performing a piece from her hometown for the audition.
Her identity, built from who she is and her origins, is all she has. Her upbringing in Cork hugely influenced her identity, making it a significant element in defining who she is. She acknowledges that choosing to perform a piece from her hometown for the Rada audition indeed was apt.
During her course, Tyers’ talent didn’t go unnoticed. Kenneth Branagh, who was then president of Rada, selected her for a five-day stint on the set of the acclaimed drama, Belfast. Although she was not noticeably present in the film, apart from a single shot.”
Regarding awkward encounters she expresses, “It’s utmost mortifying when individuals proclaim ‘Ah, you’re familiar!’ while chortling. “Certainly, you don’t recollect!” She’s indebted to Branagh for he’s a motivator she confesses. “He confers individuals their initial accolade which for me and several others was our debut accomplishment. Regardless of our participation, it was an opportunity. He didn’t just accord me my first acclaim but it also cushioned my bank account a bit as a fresh graduate covering a pair of months’ lease.”
When the time came for Tyers to apply for Extraordinary, a creation by Fermanagh-originated playwright and humourist Emma Moran, eminent for her contribution to Have I Got News for You, she didn’t anticipate much. The role wasn’t intended for an Irish persona and Tyers was without much fame. Just like numerous aspirant thespians, she observed as stars exploited their digital following to pull in large viewership towards their presentations.
Nonetheless, the character of Jen captivated her. “I sensed I comprehended how the comedic essence should translate,” she confesses. “Yet, I envisioned they’d opt for someone more renowned. I see the reasoning from an investor’s perspective. If more viewership is assured because an individual has an extensive Instagram base, to a certain extent, it makes sense.
However, I believed I was somehow belittling the casting crew as they selected many of us who don’t possess previous experience. Now the irony is that post-show we are taken into consideration for roles owing to our prominence, a status we wouldn’t have achieved if it weren’t for Extraordinary.”
Her role demanded her to travel from Los Angeles, where she had just attended the premiere of the show on Hulu. There she was groomed by a stylist for her red carpet appearance. “One must accept that aspect of the industry to some extent” she explains.
The content of her current housing arrangement in North London is tinged with humour, yet its charm doesn’t go unnoticed. Despite residing in a shared home that needs consistent repairs and quiet occupants, she acknowledges the arrangement as a golden opportunity. Living without the looming threat of eviction, due to the cordial relationship with the property’s proprietors, reduced her anxiety considerably. They gladly take on the responsibility of maintaining the house, ensuring its charm endures, notwithstanding the peeling paints and traces of ageing.
The environment is notably conducive due to her housemates, professional colleagues and schoolmates from her acting school, who colour her life incredibly. After getting engaged in various acting assignments for months at a stretch, the comfort and support from her abode’s denizens are immeasurable. The shared experiences, right from hunting for jobs, failing to secure them or preparing for auditions enhance the sense of community among them.
The scarcity of accommodation in Dublin, which led to escalating rent prices, inadvertently contributed to the flourishing of acting talent in London. Tyers sizes up this additional influx as an unfortunate circumstance. In her opinion, the exodus is indeed pushing the actors towards promising prospects, but it’s simultaneously depriving the local talent pool.
Reflecting on her rapid success in the past few years, Tyers exhibits the uncertainty of future prospects. Temporarily shifting her gaze back to Dublin, she remembers the thriving scenes at the Abbey, Druid, and the Gate theatres. Figures of admiration like Garry Hynes, Caitríona McLaughlin, and Louise Lowe remind her of the valuable contributions she would like to make some day. Her gallant hope for the alleviation of the housing crisis in Dublin concludes her narrative.
Amidst a supportive community of her fellow actors who play the role of her backbone, and more experienced figures in acting who behave like guides, Siobhán McSweeney, the Cork-born actor currently residing in London, takes on the role of Jen’s mother in “Extraordinary”. Known worldwide for her excellent portrayal of Sr Michael in Derry Girls, she has offered immense support to Tyers. “She has been instrumental in guiding me… and has given me lots of reassurance,” Tyers echoes.
Commending Tyers, McSweeney says, “She is exceptional. It’s known in our line of work that acting effortlessly is the most challenging part, and she nails it as if it’s a breezy task. She is constantly pushing herself for growth. I admire her unawareness of her own brilliance. She is genuinely interested in others and refrains from passing judgements.”
Tyers is at an important juncture of her career right now. After her initial foray into suspense with Colin Morgan’s thriller “Dead Shot” in 2023, she is all set to appear in a new part in “My Lady Jane”. This comedy drama with an element of magic draws on a historical account of Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of Henry XI. This Amazon Prime Video show also features Dominic Cooper and Emily Bader and is set to premiere later this year.
With enthusiasm, Tyers reports, “It’s a dark, raunchy series with a solid emotional aspect. I represent Susannah, who is the best friend of Lady Jane Grey.” Aside from this, she is also part of a short film, “Meat Puppet”. “It’s a horror-comedy, so filming involved a lot of gory scenes. I can’t wait for it to release.”
She affirms that though her journey so far has been swift, it can be unsettling as there are no assurances for the future in this profession. Tyers elaborates, “When job opportunities are coming your way, it feels affirming, but when things slow down or stop happening, it breeds anxiety.”
However, it’s evident that she has no thoughts about switching her profession. “I’m not interested in restricting myself to comedy,” she asserts, as our conversation comes to an end. “I aim to explore every aspect of acting.” There’s no reason not to believe in her.
“Extraordinary” can be streamed on Disney+. The BAFTA television awards are slated to take place on Sunday, May 12th, and it will be aired on BBC One.