Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Episode: Margot Robbie on Playing a Queen and Taking Creative Risks

Date: February 15, 2026
Guest: Margot Robbie
Host: Willie Geist
Main Focus: Margot Robbie discusses her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots, her approach to creative risks, the evolution of opportunities for women in Hollywood, and her work as a producer dedicated to female-driven stories.

Episode Overview

In this intimate conversation held in the atmospheric Oak Room of New York's Plaza Hotel, Margot Robbie sits down with Willie Geist to reflect on her transformative role as Queen Elizabeth I, her fears and discoveries during the process, and her commitment to changing the film industry through her own production company. Along the way, she shares insights about acting, women in power—historically and today—and how she’s leveraging her success to push for meaningful industry change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First Impressions and Atmosphere

• The interview opens with some light humor about their setting—an empty, "haunted" bar at the Plaza Hotel, which sets a candid and playful tone.
  • Margot Robbie: "That evokes The Shining, very eerie feeling ... but definitely haunted." (03:03)

2. Taking on Queen Elizabeth I

• Initial Reluctance: Margot was intimidated by the idea of playing Queen Elizabeth I, a role iconic actresses had previously tackled. She doubted her classical training and historical knowledge.
  • Margot Robbie: "No, absolutely not... I loved the script, but ... I just can't play Elizabeth. I can't play Queen Elizabeth the First." (03:34–04:27)
• Director's Vision Changed Her Mind: Director Josie Rourke persuaded Margot not to play a 'queen,' but to portray a young woman's experience inside the institution of royalty.
  • Margot Robbie: "She said ... I don’t want someone to play a queen. I want someone to play a woman, a young woman. And then that kind of changed my mind." (05:22)
• Deep Research and Transformation: Margot immersed herself in the era’s history, working with historian John Guy and visiting Hampton Court Palace to understand Elizabeth's life.

3. Elizabeth I: The Ultimate Rebranding

• Complexity and Modern Relevance:
  • Margot was fascinated by Elizabeth’s self-branding, political acumen, and personal trauma.
  • Margot Robbie: "She was the first person to really franchise her image ... She rebranded herself as the Virgin Queen so that she wouldn't have to get married." (06:49)
• Political Reality: Being a woman ruler meant “ruling at arm’s length”; society was waiting for a king to replace her.

4. Physical Transformation and Understanding Elizabeth’s Choices

• Smallpox and public image influenced Elizabeth’s use of white makeup and elaborate costumes.
  • Margot Robbie: "Elizabeth actually had smallpox ... that, to us, explained why she packed on all that white makeup." (10:07)
• Contrasts with Mary, Queen of Scots:
  • Margot notes the difference between Elizabeth’s and Mary’s approaches to womanhood, power, and love, with subtle envy and vicarious admiration.
  • Margot Robbie: "Though Mary often took the path that Elizabeth would never take, Elizabeth kind of admired her for it and was a little bit envious of it." (11:25)

5. On-Screen and Real-Life Connection with Saoirse Ronan

• The actresses, despite leading the film, only share one scene together—a pivotal, emotional moment.
  • Margot Robbie: "My main reason for doing this job was to work with Saoirse and I get one scene with her, but it's a great scene... we should not see each other as our characters until that moment..." (11:43)
  • Unique logistics kept them apart during filming, heightening the intensity and authenticity of their on-screen meeting.
• Their reunion during the scene was raw and unscripted, resulting in genuine tears:
  • Margot Robbie: "We just ... totally broke down ... we just kind of like clung onto each other and were like shaking and crying ... [it was] probably the best moment I've ever had on a set." (13:43)

6. Women's Power—Then and Now

• The film’s exploration of women’s political power and the undermining they face resonates today.
  • Margot Robbie: "Women in Power is an incredibly relevant conversation today ... These women ... knew politics in and out, and yet you couldn't rule in the same way because there were certain social constructs..." (16:15)
• Mary and Elizabeth both contended with smear campaigns and doubts cast on their ability to rule due to their gender.
• Margot draws a connection to ongoing perceptions about female leadership and the slow progress of societal attitudes.
  • Margot Robbie: "There still is the perception that perhaps, you know, women are too emotional to lead, to be rational, which is, in my opinion, ridiculous." (18:08)

7. Hollywood After Time’s Up

• Margot reflects on the significant change she's seen in the industry regarding opportunities for women, especially behind the camera and in hiring practices.
  • Margot Robbie: "I'm right now promoting a film directed by a woman ... It's one thing to say let's support women ... It's quite another to say here's a giant costume drama with a hefty budget." (19:09)
• Emphasizes the importance of giving women big-budget/directorial positions, not just small projects.

8. LuckyChap Productions & Creating Change

• Margot details the mission of her production company: to promote female-driven stories and filmmakers, while still focusing on the best person for every role.
  • Margot Robbie: "You have to make the effort beforehand to balance that conversation and have all the options on the table in an equal way." (21:15)
• Her experience on I, Tonya as both a star and producer demonstrated the value of creative control and responsible risk-taking.

9. Leveraging Star Power for Change

• Margot acknowledges her ability to get films greenlit and support new or overlooked talent.
  • Margot Robbie: "I knew, oh, wow, I can't wait till that day happens where I can greenlight a movie by attaching to it ... And now that I am, it's ... really wonderful." (23:48)

10. Career, Upbringing, and Approach to Fame

• Margot talks about her rapid rise since Wolf of Wall Street (2013), keeping humility through family ties, and working a variety of jobs before stardom.
  • Margot Robbie: "Yeah, like all the time. Yeah. Yeah. No, quite often I'm like, this, this is wild." (24:36)
  • Margot Robbie: "[My mom] works with disabled kids. ... Shut up. You are such a lucky person. Shut up." (27:07)
• Her background keeps her grounded despite her rapid ascent in Hollywood.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She rebranded herself as the Virgin Queen so that she wouldn't have to get married. ... She was very, very clever with brand perception." — Margot Robbie (06:49)
• "I don't want someone to play a queen. I want someone to play a woman, a young woman. And then that kind of changed my mind." — Margot Robbie (05:22)
• "We just ... totally broke down ... probably the best moment I've ever had on a set." — Margot Robbie, on meeting Saoirse Ronan during their pivotal scene (13:43)
• "Women in Power is an incredibly relevant conversation today ... You can see how difficult it was back then to be a woman in rule at a time where they just didn't value your opinion." — Margot Robbie (16:15)
• "You have to make the effort beforehand to balance that conversation and have all the options on the table in an equal way." — Margot Robbie, on hiring for LuckyChap (21:24)
• "[My family] so removed from it ... it's nice to kind of, like, have it, just a work thing and then I can go home and hear what everyone else is doing. Keep your feet on the ground." — Margot Robbie (26:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 03:08 | Margot's initial reaction to playing Queen Elizabeth I | | 05:22 | How director Josie Rourke changed Margot’s mind | | 06:49 | Elizabeth I's self-branding and political legacy | | 10:07 | The physical transformation and contrast with Mary | | 11:43 | Setting up the climactic scene with Saoirse Ronan | | 13:43 | Real emotion during that scene: "best moment I've ever had on set" | | 16:15 | Insights on women in power, then and now | | 18:08 | Parallels between historical and present perceptions of female leadership | | 19:09 | Margot on tangible change in Hollywood post-Time’s Up | | 21:24 | LuckyChap’s philosophy on diversifying storytelling and hiring | | 23:48 | Margot leveraging her fame to greenlight projects | | 24:36 | Robbie on her rapid career rise and humility |

Tone & Language

The conversation is candid, warm, and engaging, with Margot Robbie’s characteristic charm and humility shining throughout. Willie Geist maintains a relaxed and thoughtful interview style, encouraging Margot to reflect deeply and share behind-the-scenes stories and industry insights.

Summary

This episode is an insightful exploration of Margot Robbie’s method and mindset—tracing her journey from self-doubt to empowerment as an actress and producer. It offers a vivid behind-the-scenes look at her work ethic, the impact of female solidarity in Hollywood, and the weight and opportunity of portraying one of history’s most enigmatic monarchs. Whether for fans of Margot Robbie, film, history, or the ongoing push for equality in the arts, this conversation is a compelling listen.