Bono’s daughter likens acting in Soderbergh TV series to boot camp

EVE HEWSON

Speaking sans an Irish accent, actress Eve Hewson, daughter of U2 frontman Bono, discussed her participation in the Steven Soderbergh-directed Cinemax series “The Knick,” in a recent teleconference.

“It was incredible,” Hewson said of working with the renowned American filmmaker. “I never thought I’d work with Steven early on in my career.”

Hewson, 23, grew up in Dublin and currently lives in Los Angeles. She studied drama and child psychology in New York University, and appeared in the film “This Must Be the Place,” which costarred Sean Penn and Frances McDormand, in 2011.

In “The Knick,” about a struggling New York hospital staff in 1900, she plays mild-mannered nurse Lucy Elkins.

She praised the makeup and special effects crew responsible for the realistic replicas of body parts and accoutrements for the surgery scenes: “It was exciting to watch them create these really gory moments!”

Excerpts from the interview:

How would you describe Steven’s directing style and personality?

He’s operating the camera and editing everything already in his head. He’s directing you and working with all the different departments. You wouldn’t believe how calm he is…and how he manages to look like he’s enjoying it. His team is a very well-oiled machine. They get things done efficiently, very smoothly.

What makes “The Knick” unique as a medical drama and series?

It’s interesting to see how far we’ve come from 114 years ago…we’re looking at the history of medicine, what doctors then had to deal with. They barely had electrical lighting. [And yet] it’s not all about the [procedures]; it’s also about relationships.

How would you describe working with Clive Owen?

He’s so good at his job, so beyond prepared. He was a sweetheart, so kind to everybody. There were moments when I didn’t think he was acting. In one scene, I thought he was actually going to vomit, and I was about to run and get the bucket! You learn a lot from someone that dedicated and prepared.

How do you see yourself growing through this series?

Working with Steven felt like boot camp. He doesn’t do a lot of takes. We don’t really rehearse. You go in there and you’re thrown into the deep end; you sink or swim. It was a huge learning experience for me.

(“The Knick” airs Saturdays and Mondays, 10 p.m. on Cinemax.)