Conversations with Eloise Lovell Anderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eloise Lovell Anderson.

Hi Eloise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a deep, instinctive pull toward acting. Some of my earliest memories involve reenacting my favorite films at home with my sister, filming scenes on our parents’ camera, and taking my role as actor-director far too seriously. This feels like an appropriate moment to publicly thank my sister Sophie for her patience. Truly, I don’t know how she put up with me. Props to you, sis.
Even then, I was obsessed with cinema and storytelling, and I knew that a life rooted in performance was what I wanted.

I landed my first acting role straight out of school in a Hollywood film, which was both a taste of things to come and, at that age, pretty daunting. Around the same time, I was signed with Select Model Management as a teenager, which opened the door to an international modeling career. I was fortunate to work extensively and appear in publications such as Self Service, V Magazine, W Magazine, and British, Italian, Brazilian, and Japanese Vogue.

In a bold move, I relocated to New York and signed with Ford Models, working with renowned photographers Inez and Vinoodh. I became one of the top 50 models at the time and appeared in campaigns for brands including Just Cavalli, John Richmond, and Gossard.

While modeling was successful, I eventually realized it wasn’t fully aligned with what I wanted to express as an artist. I’ve always been driven by depth, physicality, and transformation through acting, sport, and movement. I grew up a dancer, and those instincts never left me. During that time, many of those passions were sidelined, and I reached a point where I knew I had to realign with what truly energized me.

I immersed myself in acting classes and training wherever I could. When I saw an open call for a stage play, even with only one screen credit to my name, I pushed hard for an audition. That persistence paid off, and I was cast, launching me into a two-month stage run that was very much a baptism by fire. I was very much learning the craft in real time, but I’ve never been afraid of the deep end, and that experience solidified my commitment to the work.

Since then, I’ve put in the hard graft and have been fortunate to work across a wide range of film and television projects. Most recently, I starred in The Last Gunfight for Paramount/SPMG opposite Jon Voight.
I’ve just completed filming Confinement opposite Nathalie Emmanuel, fun fact, we went to school together, so that was a cool full-circle moment, alongside Claire Forlani. I’ve also wrapped Frequency Zero and Air Force One Down: Homefront.

On television, I’ve had recurring roles on Kurt Sutter’s The Bastard Executioner for FX, the BBC crime series Virdee, and guest appearances on The Royals for E!. Other film credits include Villain, directed by Phil Barantini, The Hustle with Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway, Firecracker opposite Jason Flemyng, and leading roles in Bogieville and Caledonia. I’ll next be seen in The Highest Stakes for Paramount/SPMG alongside Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, Dan Bucatinsky, and Dylan Walsh, directed by Tony Dean Smith.

Alongside acting, physical training has become a cornerstone of my work and identity. I trained in martial arts for various film roles, and on one of those projects I was introduced to Escrima, a Filipino martial art. I’m currently a Level 2 brown belt and actively chasing that black belt. I also compete in Escrima and integrate it into my screen work whenever possible. For me, it’s not just a skill set, it’s a way of life, and I’m incredibly grateful to have found this discipline.

During Covid, I deeply missed the industry and the sense of purpose that comes with creating and collaborating, so I turned to writing. What began as a way to stay creatively alive evolved into something more substantial. I started by developing a television series and then moved on to writing a feature film, both of which I am now actively pitching.

Writing became a powerful outlet for everything I was feeling and no longer able to express during that time, particularly when artists in the UK were being given government advice to “reboot” or “reskill.” Being a natural rebel, I was of course allergic to that kind of advice and did the absolute opposite. I leaned harder into my dreams, my voice, and my commitment to storytelling.

My original pilot, Hitters, went on to become a Top 3 finalist in the Outstanding Screenplays competition, where Succession writer Susan Soon He Stanton described it as “a powerful and sometimes violent program that could become an addiction for many viewers.” Writing has allowed me to take greater ownership of the narratives I want to see on screen, and I’m especially drawn to creating stories with empowered, complex women at the forefront of the drama and action.

Ultimately, my journey has been about returning, again and again, to what feels honest, embodied, and purposeful.
Acting and fighting allow me to tell stories not just intellectually, but physically and emotionally, and that’s where I feel most alive.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would love to say it’s been plain sailing, but that wouldn’t be true. It’s been a road with plenty of detours, sharp turns, and a few very character-building potholes along the way.

I began modelling very young, and while I’m genuinely grateful for many of the opportunities and experiences it gave me, it was honestly a deviation from my original dream. I would have loved to attend a dance and drama school and continue studying. Instead, I found myself travelling and working internationally at an age when most teenagers are still figuring out who they are. Modelling can be surprisingly isolating, and being away from friends and family so young meant missing out on the things I loved most: dancing, acting, sport, camaraderie, and the simple freedom to play before stepping into a very adult world.

At the time, the industry placed a lot of pressure on appearance, particularly in runway and high-fashion editorial work. Health wasn’t always the priority, aesthetics were. The “heroin chic” era was still very much in the air, and that took a toll. I burned out young, both physically and mentally, which forced me to step back and reassess.

I took a break, explored music for a while, formed a band, had a great time, and then watched it fall apart in true rock ’n’ roll fashion, as bands so often do. Suddenly, I found myself with no formal education and very little money. Everything I’d earned had gone into rent, training, and getting my health back on track. That’s when I threw myself fully into acting, supporting it with waitressing, which I absolutely hated. I did, however, turn it into free entertainment for my fellow out-of-work aspiring actors by telling stories and playing far too many characters than was probably appropriate on a restaurant floor. I also got fired from pretty much every part-time job, because the moment an acting gig came along, businesses understandably had to keep running. So I lived on a constant conveyor belt of “which job next?”

I’ve had days where I genuinely couldn’t afford a coffee, and moments where chasing my dreams probably looked completely delusional from the outside. But quitting was never an option.

Not knowing anyone in the industry meant starting from the bottom. I learned quickly how important it is to surround yourself with the right team, and as the jobs grew, I made strategic leaps and changed agents when the time felt right. Representation really matters in this industry. Some agents simply don’t have access to certain casting breakdowns, and you can lose years being loyal to the wrong fit.
It’s morally challenging, but it’s also the reality. I knew I’d have to work ten times harder to be taken seriously.

There was also the stigma of being “just a pretty face.” Leaving school at sixteen gave me a chip on my shoulder, and I was determined to prove I had substance and skill. That drive became fuel, and it’s why I’m obsessed with leading with my craft.

There were also moments that tested my integrity. Early on, I encountered situations where refusing to compromise my values meant doors closing. Those experiences were disheartening, but I walked away with my self-respect intact, and I don’t regret that for a second. I’m grateful to say that the majority of people I’ve worked with are phenomenal, and there are many genuinely good, principled people in this industry. You do have to dodge the sharks, and that’s never acceptable in any industry, but I ultimately learned how to swim stronger. Thankfully, things have evolved, and as artists, we’re finally being treated with the respect we deserve.

Just as things were gaining momentum, the pandemic hit. Productions stalled overnight. I lost a major film and burned through my savings as a self-employed actor with no safety net. That was a real moment of reckoning. I decided to dig deep. I trained relentlessly, found online acting communities, and did whatever it took to keep my craft alive. I moved constantly during lockdown, taking short-term places wherever I could afford them, craving stability while staying ready for work. At one point, I even lived on set. The production didn’t realise I was between places, they probably just thought I’d gone full method. Through it all, I stayed focused on one thing: not letting my purpose disappear, which is also when I began writing.

That period pushed me even further into martial arts, where I found discipline and an inspiring community. It was my full-on David Goggins era. I also have to give a massive shout-out to Dr Joe Dispenza’s work and meditations, which genuinely helped me rewire my mindset when my back was against the wall. Living alone, training hard, and staying committed to my craft regardless of what the world was doing created a shift that changed everything.

Looking back, every challenge sharpened something in me. My resilience. My work ethic. My sense of self. And I’m still in that fire of transformation. Every new level of success gives birth to new desires, and I know there’s still so much ahead to achieve. I truly believe it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you make of it. And don’t get me wrong, I very much appreciate it when things are plain sailing. I don’t subscribe to the idea of the “struggling artist.”
While I’ve lived it, I work hard to stay on top of my game so I never return to that place.

I credit having a fighter’s mentality for teaching me to never give up, to look for openings, and to stay relentless in my practice. No one can tell me now that something isn’t possible. I’m iron-strong on that, not just for myself but for the people around me. I champion others’ success, I’m deeply grateful for my team who do the same, and I love living life in its fullest expression. I never take success for granted. That gratitude is the fuel. Because when you push to become what’s in your heart and soul to become, that fire eventually turns into love. And at the risk of sounding cheesy, love really is the greatest fuel of all. And yes, I absolutely love what I do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actress, a martial artist, and a writer. While I don’t think any actor likes to be pigeonholed, I’d say I’m currently best known for action roles, and that’s very much my natural casting lane at the moment.

I specialise in Eskrima, a Filipino martial art, and I love showcasing that style in my work whenever possible. It’s especially exciting when directors have a deep understanding of the action world and the sensitivity to lean into an actor’s skill set. A great example of that is director James Bamford, who comes from a stunt background and specifically designed sequences that allowed me to use Eskrima-based movement in the films I’ve worked on with him, including The Last Gunfight for Paramount/SPMG.

I do believe that having a strong physical skill set sets me apart as an actress, but more than that, I’d like to think I’m known for being fearless as a performer. I’m drawn to empowered, badass female roles, both in the scripts I’m sent and in the projects I create myself. I love characters who are physically capable, emotionally complex, and unapologetically strong, and that’s very much the space I aim to occupy as both an actor and a writer.

What I’m most proud of, honestly, is living my dreams and seeing them through. I’ve had a million reasons to quit, so the fact that I didn’t is something I hold close. I’m proud of building careers in both acting and martial arts, and of the action roles I’ve played, because I vividly remember visualising that level of physical ability long before it was real. My younger self would be incredibly grateful that I not only overcame those obstacles, but I get to express that strength on screen.

Finishing my scripts is also a huge accomplishment. Until they’re made, I’m still pushing forward, but bringing those projects fully to life would truly be a dream realised.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
That’s a great question, and honestly, I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one quality.

First and foremost, I deeply care about what I do. I’m a very passionate person with a big imagination and a real lust for life, so being creatively fulfilled is essential to me. I truly believe in doing what you’re genuinely passionate about.

Secondly, I’d say a relentless drive paired with a positive mindset and discipline. Talent is important, but consistency, resilience, and showing up even when it’s hard are what keep you moving forward in the long run.

And lastly, I think it’s vital to never lose your sense of play. As children, we naturally dream big, think expansively, and believe anything is possible. I try to protect that freedom and sense of wonder as much as I can. The six-year-old version of me was actually very wise; she never doubted her dreams, so I make a point of listening to her.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eloiselovellanderson?igsh=MWRqaHg1aXdmZ2F3MA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://imdb.me/eloiselovellanderson