Actress, writer and producer Amber Lily Butterworth is carving out a versatile career in the film industry, combining her passion for performance with an increasing involvement in storytelling behind the camera.
With acting credits including ‘Moss & Freud’, ‘It Goes on All Fours’ and ‘Sparrows Call’, Butterworth has embraced a diverse range of projects, exploring different genres and characters while continuing to develop her creative voice. Beyond acting, she has stepped into producing with the short film ‘Borghese’ and is currently involved in developing ‘Traitors’, a documentary centred on a pivotal chapter in her father’s sailing career and the world of the America’s Cup. In this exclusive interview with London Daily, Butterworth reflects on her early introduction to acting, the influences that have shaped her career, her experiences working both in front of and behind the camera, and her ambitions to champion women in the film industry.
You’ve worked on several interesting film projects, including ‘Moss & Freud’, ‘It Goes on All Fours’ and ‘Sparrows Call’. Can you tell us about your experiences working on these productions and what attracted you to the roles?
I mean, there’s nothing quite like being on a movie set, right? As they say, a bad day on set is still a pretty good day in the real world. I’ve been really fortunate to have had such enjoyable experiences on the projects I’ve worked on so far, and what I’ve loved most is how different each one has been. None of these films fall into the same genre, which is something that really excites me as an actress. It’s given me the opportunity to explore a wide range of characters, challenge myself in different ways, and discover new sides of myself in front of the camera. I think that variety is one of the things that attracted me to acting in the first place.
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting, and who have been some of your biggest influences along the way?
I caught the acting bug very young. When I was four years old, my mum sent me to acting school to help with my stutter. Lo and behold, the stutter was fixed, but I came away with a new life’s mission, and that was acting. I suppose you could say it was a pretty life-changing solution! I’ve been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people throughout my life. My dad has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations. He found success by following his own dream, so he’s always understood and supported my determination to follow mine. Growing up with that example taught me that pursuing something you love wholeheartedly is always worth it. In 2022, I was fortunate enough to attend a film festival in Croatia, where we had the opportunity to take part in a masterclass with Frances McDormand. She is just electric. There’s something so captivating about her, not only as an actress but in the way she’s navigated her life and career. Every choice she makes feels intentional and powerful, and I find that incredibly inspiring. She’s someone who has really stayed true to herself, and I think that’s something I aspire to in my own career.
Photo credit: Rankin
Alongside acting, you’re also a producer and writer. What inspired you to explore the creative side of filmmaking behind the camera?
I think once you enter the industry and really immerse yourself in all the different facets of cinema, every moving part becomes fascinating, or at least that’s how it’s been for me. The more time I spend on set, the more curious I become about everything that goes into bringing a film to life. At its core, acting is storytelling, and I see writing and producing as simply different ways of doing the same thing. They allow me to approach a story from another perspective and have a hand in shaping it beyond the character I’m playing. So, rather than feeling like I’m exploring something entirely new, it feels more like I’m cementing myself further into the world of storytelling, which is ultimately where I want to be.
You produced the short film ‘Borghese’. What was that experience like, and what did you learn from bringing the project to life?
This was my first time stepping into a producer role, and it was definitely a hit-the-ground-running kind of project, although I imagine most short films are! Being behind the camera and suddenly having a say in so many different facets of a production was quite a daunting undertaking, but also an incredible confidence builder. I think the biggest lesson for me was learning to trust my own instincts and creative direction. As an actress, you’re responsible for bringing a character to life, but as a producer, you’re looking at the bigger picture and helping bring an entire vision together. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way and taught me to have more confidence in my decisions. It was a steep learning curve, but one that made me even more excited to continue producing.
You’re also involved in developing a documentary about the America’s Cup, ‘Traitors’. What can you tell us about the project and what drew you to the story?
I mean, this story is really a part of my life. In many ways, it shaped who I am today. ‘Traitors’ follows a pivotal chapter in my father’s career and explores the sacrifices he made as an athlete, particularly when his professional ambitions came into conflict with the expectations of his country. I always knew I wanted to bring sailing stories to the screen. They’re the stories I grew up with, but I never quite knew how that would materialise.
And honestly, ‘Traitors’ isn’t an easy story to tell. It’s controversial, deeply personal, and there are a lot of different perspectives involved. But I think those are often the stories that need to be told the most. What fascinates me is that, beyond the sailing, it’s really a story about loyalty, ambition, national identity and the price of following your dreams. There’s something incredibly human about that conflict, and I think it’s a story that resonates far beyond the world of sport. Being so personally connected to the subject makes it both challenging and incredibly meaningful for me to bring to life.
Photo credit: Yumasheva
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions as both an actress and producer, and are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?
There are still so many different sides of this industry that I’m yet to sink my teeth into, and I fully intend to! Range is really important to me, both as an actress and a producer. I want to be involved in as many diverse projects as possible, exploring different genres, characters and stories that challenge me creatively. One of my biggest ambitions, and something I feel very strongly about, is supporting women in the industry. Whether that’s through the characters I portray, the stories I help bring to life or the opportunities I can create behind the camera, I want that to be a driving force throughout my career. And yes, there are definitely some very exciting projects in the pipeline, but for now, I have to stay quiet…
