Haley Bennett: ‘I Love The Way Virginia Woolf Understood The Inner Lives Of Women’

Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day, directed by Tina Gharavi, is a witty, romantic adaptation of one of Woolf’s lesser-known novels – what you might get if Woolf and John Hughes made a film together, quips the lead star, American actress Haley Bennett. Known for The Equalizer, Cyrano and Swallow, Bennett stars opposite Jennifer Saunders and Timothy Spall as the fiercely intelligent Katherine Hilbery, who is hungry for the same opportunities afforded to men.

Ahead of the film’s release on 19 June, C&TH sat down with Bennett to talk Woolf, working with British comedians, and why the Scottish Highlands feel like home.

Q&A: Haley Bennett On Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day

How’s life going at the moment?

Life is well. I’m in Aberdeen Airport right now; I’ve just spent the weekend in the Scottish Highlands, which was wonderful. I feel very at home there. Life just feels wonderfully full. I’ve been travelling quite a bit for work, which I love, and I’m headed home now – though I’m only home for one night. I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family. I’m at the stage where I’m increasingly interested in creating balance between ambitious work and meaningful personal life. At the same time, I’m very grateful to be doing what I love.

Can you give me an elevator pitch for Night and Day?

Night and Day is a witty, romantic and surprisingly modern story about identity, ambition and love. It’s what you would get if Virginia Woolf and John Hughes had a movie child. All these wonderfully eccentric characters, played by wonderful British comedians, orbit around a woman trying to determine who she wants to be before allowing the world to define her. It’s full of eccentric family dynamics, humour, and heart, and it’s a very tender film.

Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day (c) Annabel Moeller, courtesy of Vue Lumiere

You play Katherine – how do you describe her?

Katherine is fiercely intelligent, curious, and independent. She refuses to let love and marriage be the thing that defines her. She’s hungry for knowledge and the same opportunities afforded to men. She wants to be liberated and live a life that feels authentically her own.

Are you a Woolf fan?

Oh yes. Virginia Woolf has been a companion throughout my life. My daughter’s name is Virginia – no coincidence. I love the way Virginia deeply understood the inner lives of women, and she asks questions that still feel relevant today. In many ways, Katherine in Night and Day feels astonishingly modern and timeless.

Had you read Night and Day before you came to the project?

I hadn’t read Night and Day. I’d read some of her more abstract works – Mrs. Dalloway, The Waves, To the Lighthouse – but I hadn’t read this one. I was surprised to discover that she could be humorous. I really loved that this adaptation offered the opportunity to turn a different lens on Virginia Woolf.

Did you do anything else to prepare for the role?

I spent a lot of time with Woolf’s writing and the world she inhabited. Justine Waddell, the film’s writer, has been trying to get this movie made for many, many years. But what interested me most wasn’t the period details – it was Katherine’s psychology, her curiosity, her frustration, her longing for something larger. Those themes feel like they transcend time and space.

Can you tell me about the eccentric British characters Katherine is surrounded by?

I genuinely loved everyone. Jennifer Saunders is extraordinary. I’ve been living in the UK for eight years now. When I found out she was playing my mum, I had just been introduced to Ab Fab. Jennifer brings so much warmth, wit, and humanity to everything she does. I loved watching her, and I loved watching her as her daughter succeed in the film. I was genuinely jumping for joy in the scenes when she finally gets her book published.

Working with Tim – Timothy Spall – was such a joy. He’s a true gentleman. The work just felt like play. Tina Gharavi, our director, always encouraged us to do that – to play. She was on a quest for that elusive moment. It was a privilege to work with these actors in that space and that freedom. But that freedom can also be really scary. I felt very supported, and I hope they felt the same way. There was such generosity across the entire cast – true team players.

Any standout moments?

The family scenes. There’s such an effervescence and chaos and affection amongst the Hilbery household. The Christmas dinner, the choir singing at church on Christmas Eve – it felt like celebration. Often the funniest moments happened between takes when everybody was bouncing off one another, and then that energy would seep into the moment when we were riffing off each other.

I really loved the egg scene – that wasn’t scripted. Tim and Jennifer just went along with it, and their shock was, I think, very authentic.

Tell me about filming in the UK.

Yes, we filmed in Newcastle. England was such a gift. I love filming in England. I loved the experience of working in Newcastle. The crews are incredible – real grafters, hard working. There were moments where it just felt like we stepped directly into one of Woolf’s novels. The steam train, the landscapes, the manor houses, the atmosphere, the mist – it all felt really deeply connected to the story.

Any favourite locations?

That’s impossible – there were so many great locations. I’d never been on a steam train before, so that was incredible. I loved shooting at Beamish – that world where it feels like going back in time. They have a great candy store there, too. The candy is authentic to the period. My daughter and I definitely indulged. That might have been our favourite day. She loved immersing herself in that world, and I did too. I love playing make-believe, and she loves playing make-believe, too.

What has been your favourite project to date?

Every project arrives at a different moment in life, and it teaches you something different. I tend to love the one I’m currently working on because that’s where my energy is. I find that goodbyes have become increasingly difficult. I really get attached to every character I play and the people I’m playing with. I just shot a film in Texas, and it was great. I find that each film is like healing, and it’s a new adventure every time. You never know what to expect. Recently I was jumping out of aeroplanes – never thought I would be doing that before – but it kind of just pushes you into these new experiences that are totally unexpected. I love the unpredictable nature of what we do and what experiences are going to come.

Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day (c) Annabel Moeller, courtesy of Vue Lumiere

Anything in the pipeline you’re excited about?

There are a few things I’m very excited about, particularly projects centred around complex women. That’s always what draws me in. I love characters who refuse easy definitions – like Katherine Hilbery or Widow Clicquot. I just finished a film called Synthetic, where I play a runaway android. Very interesting, exploring her discovery of humanity. I shot that in Kentucky. I also did a film called A Bobby Thing in South Africa. That was very difficult, but I learned from it as well. Thirty days in the desert in the dark… But I love Cape Town. I love the people. I’ve done a few projects there. I did a Chloé campaign in Cape Town. I really could see myself living there. So you take the good with the bad.

Who’s a favourite actor you’ve worked with?

Oh my goodness… I feel incredibly lucky. I’d say Denzel Washington. I’ve done a couple of films with Denzel. I remember him saying, ‘I want that redhead in this movie.’ Other favourites include Chris Pratt, Jack Whitehall, Chris Evans, Emily Blunt, Tim and Jennifer. And then my directors: Joe Wright, Terrence Malick, Antoine Fuqua. I love working with people who have a strong vision and who are fearless and prepared. That always inspires me. I’m easily endeared to laughter. I like to have a good laugh.

Who is someone you learned a lot from?

Michael Fassbender was interesting… But I’ve learned something from everyone. Sometimes it’s a performance technique, sometimes it’s professionalism, sometimes it’s how they carry themselves on set. When I worked with Glenn Close, it was like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. We played a game at Amy Adams’ house called In Plain Sight, which I’d never played before. She’s very good at it. I admire her for that. I love creating a sense of community on set, and I like when other actors have that ability – having fun, playing music, dancing, singing. I love when work also feels like play, which it did on Night and Day.

Who is someone you’ve never worked with that you’d love to?

I’d really love to work with Jesse Plemons. I think he’s incredible. Emma Stone and Jesse – dream team.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

Not as much as I’d like. My garden suffers, and I suffer. I need it, and it needs me. That’s one of the challenges of this profession. But it makes you appreciate home all the more when you’re there. So I’m going to go check on my seedlings.

Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day (c) Annabel Moeller, courtesy of Vue Lumiere

Do you live in the town or the countryside?

The country without a question. As I said, I just spent some time in the Scottish Highlands and felt utterly at home. I love the pace, the space for quiet contemplation, and my connection with nature. It’s where I feel most grounded.

What’s your interior design style?

Always collected rather than decorated. Authenticity. I love things that tell a story. I love Swedish antiques, specifically from my best friend Jill Dean’s gallery in New York, called Deanston Daughter. Honestly, it’s one of the most inspiring places. Her collection is unreal. You should check it out. I love natural materials that have an almost monolithic quality.

How do you find balance between your personal and work lives?

I’m still learning. Every day is different. I try to just stay present and live in the moment, which is very difficult. I think balance is less about perfection and more about presence. When I’m working, I try to be fully immersed. When I’m with my family, I try to be fully there. But it’s harder in practice. Meditation helps, and reminding myself to keep my heart open to possibility.

How do you think we can all live life a little bit better?

Stay curious. Curiosity creates empathy. It keeps me open to new ideas, new people, especially being nomadic. I’m an introvert, but I love people. I get attached very easily, and these people you develop community with, they get pulled away. So maybe the lesson is never to hold on to anything too tightly.

Do you have anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

Professionally, some really wonderful projects. I’m excited about the future. I enjoy the doing, I enjoy the process. I like being in motion. I’ve been on a feverish working streak. I want to continue pushing the boundaries of my abilities. Personally, I’m looking forward to spending some time with my daughter Virginia and making merry memories. That’s always a priority. I’m in the process of planning a convertible road trip from Switzerland to France, and I want to go on more adventures with her beside me.

Haley Bennett stars in Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day, landing in the UK cinemas on 19 June 2026.