Doesn’t Disguise Age, But Kept A Red Mane: How Charming Lord Of The Rings Star Miranda Otto Changed

The red-haired beauty was born in a creative family – her parents are actors, and her brother and sister also tried themselves on stage. Since childhood, Miranda has been writing scripts and inventing sets for shows, although she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. The dream had to be abandoned due to scoliosis. Moreover, the father of the future Eowyn, the popular Australian actor Barry Otto, saw the talent of his daughter and convinced her to go to acting school.

Miranda first appeared on the big screen in 1986, when she was just 19 years old. Her career developed well: she starred in several of the best directors in her native Australia and, in addition, had an affair with Richard Roxburgh (Russian viewers remember her as well as the sexy Dracula in Van Helsing) . Her role in Terence Malick’s The Thin Red Line paved her way to Hollywood.

The role of the beautiful and brave rider Eowyn in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ went to Miranda on merit – Peter Jackson was impressed with her acting during the audition and was very pleased with the way she prepared for the work. For six months, Otto relentlessly fenced with swords and rode horses.

Audiences were touched by the story of a girl who fell in love with Aragorn, whose heart was given to another. Éowyn does not let her feelings prevail over duty, and her courage and purity allow her to perform a truly great deed, which proved decisive in the confrontation between the forces of good and evil.

Miranda received worldwide recognition and several prestigious awards for her role in The Lord of the Rings in 2003. Impressed with her performance and attractive looks, Hollywood directors offered her many roles, and she even managed to play a few of them- one, but what happened next?

Read also: This actor played Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings – but the director fired him and ruined his career

And Miranda has just chosen a family. In 2005, she gave birth to a daughter, Darcy, to her husband, actor Peter O’Brien, and decided to move with her family to her native Australia. When she returned to work, she naturally got involved mainly in local projects.

Hollywood remembered Miranda Otto, but she was no longer offered truly impressive roles. Minor characters, heroines of the series – yes, the appearance of “Eowyn” became a joy for fans every time, but not very often.

And finally, in 2023, Miranda Otto shines again on the red carpet in honor of the premiere of a big budget project with the participation of stars of first magnitude (including Sam Neill and Christoph Waltz). The actress, who turned 55, has changed a lot. Apparently, she does not abuse anti-aging procedures, but she always takes care of her luxurious red hair, which has become Miranda’s trademark.

Miranda Otto stars in the new Magical Services film, playing the strict and powerful witch Countess Julie. The film is an adaptation of the popular novel “Portable Door” by English writer Tom Holt. He is compared to Terry Pratchett and JK Rowling – Holt has created a crazy world in his works, where magic mixes with bureaucracy.

The film has already managed to receive positive reviews, not least thanks to the skillful work of the directors and costume designers: The Bureau of Magical Services has an outstanding production design. Miranda Otto shines in extravagant costumes, which are an important part of her character reveal.

We have not yet rated this premiere, but we are very happy that the beautiful Miranda Otto has reappeared in world cinema. Perhaps a new stage has begun in the career of an actress, because life is just beginning at 55?