Essie Davis, known for her roles in The Babadook and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, stars as a corporate scientist in the new series Alien: Earth. The show, set shortly before the original 1979 film, explores themes of genetic engineering and ethics. Davis plays Dame Sylvia, a scientist responsible for creating a 'hybrid' human-synthetic being named Wendy.
Davis, 55, grew up in Tasmania and recalls being left behind when her siblings saw Jaws at the cinema. She later watched the film on VHS while dating Justin Kurzel, now her husband and a renowned Australian director. Kurzel introduced her to horror classics, including Ridley Scott's Alien, which Davis calls 'a huge part of my film psyche'.
The actor sees Alien: Earth as a timely warning about artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. 'There’s a tightrope of ethics and morality,' she says, noting the rapid rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. The series, created by Noah Hawley, delves into the 'strange quest to own everything and beat everyone'.
Davis also reflects on her iconic role in The Babadook, which became a global hit and a cult classic. She credits its enduring appeal to its deeper themes of mental health and grief. 'It’s not just a horror film,' she says. 'It’s a psychological thriller about parenting and love.'
Her portrayal of Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries remains a defining role. Davis praises the character as 'a positive force' who stands up for social justice. She also acknowledges the recent death of author Kerry Greenwood, whose novels inspired the series, calling it 'a terrible loss'.
