Riley Keough is an actress known for her impeccable taste in choosing acting roles. From her portrayal of Daisy Jones in “Daisy Jones & The Six,” for which she earned her first Emmy nomination, to her roles in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “American Honey,” and “Zola,” Keough has consistently been part of some of the most exciting titles in recent film history. When it comes to selecting projects, Keough’s process is fairly straightforward – she focuses on the character and the filmmaker. She wants to connect with the character and take on roles that feel challenging and different from what she has done before.
For Keough, “Daisy Jones & The Six” was the perfect fit. In this Prime Video limited series, Keough portrays Daisy Jones, a fictional songstress in the 1970s, and her band’s rise to superstardom. One of the most challenging aspects of this role for Keough was learning new skills – singing and playing guitar. Despite her family background (she is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and daughter of Lisa Marie Presley), Keough had never really attempted these skills before. She dedicated a significant amount of time to preparing for the role, working with an incredible team of musicians who trained her and her castmates every day. They had guitar and piano teachers, and their music supervisor, Frankie Pine, was with them for months. Keough also immersed herself in performances from the era to capture the essence of ’70s rock. Although she didn’t base her character on any specific real-life singer, comparisons to groups like Fleetwood Mac are inevitable.
In “Daisy Jones & The Six,” Keough is joined onscreen and onstage by her co-stars who portray The Six: Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse, Will Harrison, Sebastian Chacon, and Josh Whitehouse. In adapting the show from Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel, the character of the sixth band member was consolidated into another character, while the role of band photographer Camila, played by Camila Morrone, was expanded. Together, the actors recorded and released a real album titled “Aurora,” which becomes the record that brings the band worldwide fame in the show. This blurring of fiction and reality adds an authentic touch to their performances. Keough emphasizes the importance of her castmates, stating that their collaboration was crucial for the success of the project. Keough’s Emmy nomination for best actress is just one of the nine nominations the show received, including nominations for Morrone and Pine, as well as for outstanding limited or anthology series.
Despite the demanding shooting schedule of “Daisy Jones & The Six,” Keough found time to appreciate the work of her fellow nominees. One series that particularly impacted her was “The Last of Us.” She describes it as super impactful and admits that one episode featuring a tragic love story between characters played by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett was so intense that she had to take a two-week break before revisiting it.
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It’s worth noting that this interview was conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike on July 14. Moreover, this story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
In conclusion, Riley Keough’s selection process for acting roles revolves around connecting with the character and taking on challenging roles she hasn’t done before. “Daisy Jones & The Six” aligned perfectly with her criteria, and she put in a tremendous amount of effort to learn new skills and immerse herself in the ’70s rock era. Collaborating with her talented castmates and releasing a real album added authenticity to their performances. Keough’s Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Daisy Jones is well-deserved, and the show’s success is evident with its multiple nominations. Despite her busy schedule, Keough still finds time to appreciate the work of her fellow actors and creators. This interview offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of Keough’s acclaimed performance and highlights the excitement surrounding “Daisy Jones & The Six.”
