‘Cruella’ actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste talks on-set experience

Cruella actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste spoke about her experience on set for the Disney film and what attracted her to the film in an interview with BackstageOL.

Baptiste portrays the character Anita Darling, a childhood friend of Cruella’s who works as a journalist.

She has mainly worked in the realm of television, appearing in critically acclaimed shows such as Barry and Killing Eve. Both productions are loaded with on-screen talent in Bill Hader and Sandra Oh among others.

Despite her experience, there were still moments of awe for the actor when she reflects being on set with the rest of the talent.

“Oh, I had some real deer in the headlights moments where I would just be staring off,” Baptiste said with a laugh.

Yet it was the opportunity to once again work with star power that partly attracted Baptiste to the role. Coupled with the strong working relationship she formed with director Craig Gillespie, she spoke highly of the production.

“I love Craig. I think Craig is such a wonderful director,” said Baptiste. “I knew the Emmas (Emma Stone & Emma Thompson) were working on it, and so it was just an exciting project to be part of.”

RELATED: Cruella director Craig Gillespie talks about his newest film.

Authentic sets and high fashion have been at the core of Cruella. Gillespie has gone on record to praise his production design team for their precision in building sets and putting the actors in appropriate attire for the story’s setting of 1970s London.

Baptiste echoed her director’s sentiment towards the efforts of production designer Fiona Crombie and team when describing the depth of the large-scale production.

“It’s truly like being a child, like a kid in a candy store because there’s so much detail to all the sets,” said Baptiste. “You’d get onto set and, down to little trinkets that would be on a side table and those were vintage and real… I’ve never seen such attention to detail. So for me, I had a million pinch me moments.”

Baptiste calls the film “an unexpected feast for the eyes,” concluding the interview by promising the film contains “something for absolutely everyone.”

Cruella will be released on Disney+ and in theaters on Friday May, 28.