Australian actress Claire Lovering joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her breakout role as Brenda in Shane Black’s new action-comedy Play Dirty. From an unexpected audition story to her on-screen chemistry with Keegan-Michael Key, Claire shares how this thrilling experience became one of the most rewarding projects of her career.
🎬 Landing the Role in Play Dirty
Claire revealed that her audition for Play Dirty happened while she was visiting her boyfriend’s family in Washington, D.C. — and it almost didn’t happen.
“We shot it in his sister’s bedroom, and the lighting was bad. I thought it was going terribly,” she laughed. “My boyfriend said, ‘Just have fun with it.’ So I did—and that’s the take I sent. Four months later, I got a call that Shane Black wanted to meet me.”
That spontaneous, playful energy ended up being exactly what Shane Black was looking for.
🎭 From Theater Roots to Big Screen Action
Before her breakout in film, Claire spent a decade performing in theater.
“I started out in theater and trained at drama school,” she said. “That experience taught me how to play with different genres and directors. When I finally got to work on screen, I felt ready.”
Now fully immersed in the world of TV and film, she’s found her rhythm but admits she still has a soft spot for stage work.
“I haven’t done a play in four years, but I’d love to go back one day.”
🤝 Chemistry and Comedy with Keegan-Michael Key
Claire’s on-screen dynamic with Keegan-Michael Key, who plays her husband Ed, has been one of the standout parts of Play Dirty.
“We decided our characters had been married for ten years—they know how to push each other’s buttons but still love each other. They live this wild life because it’s fun, not because they have to.”
The two actors bonded through improv and collaboration.
“We’d pitch ideas to Shane, and sometimes he’d keep the cameras rolling just to see what happened. Keegan really encouraged me. He has such an incredible brain for comedy.”
🎥 First Day on Set and Behind the Scenes
Lovering recalled being in awe when stepping onto the set for the first time.
“The scale of it all was huge—the trailers, the holding areas, everything. But seeing familiar Aussie crew faces helped calm the nerves.”
She also got a taste of light stunt work:
“My only stunt was holding a gun and looking like I knew what I was doing,” she joked. “I had to remember all that training from a detective role I did once.”
💫 What She Hopes Audiences Take Away
When asked what she hopes viewers get from the film, Claire emphasized the classic Shane Black mix of wit and unpredictability.
“I hope people are entertained, that they laugh and get surprised. Shane constantly flips things on their head—you never know what’s coming next.”
She also hinted that fans might see Brenda and Ed again in the future.
“If there’s a sequel, I think we’d definitely pop up again. We didn’t mess things up too badly in this one!”
🌍 What’s Next for Claire Lovering
Claire isn’t slowing down anytime soon. She recently wrapped filming on The Season, a Hulu series from the creators of Crazy Rich Asians, and her short film DIY is screening at Screamfest and the Austin Film Festival.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but a really exciting one,” she said. “I’d love to keep writing, producing, and playing characters that challenge me.”
Play Dirty is now streaming, featuring a star-studded cast and the sharp direction of Shane Black.