VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Simone Ashley & Mo Gilligan Reflect On Their Roles In Film ’10 Lives,’ Working With Zayn Malik

Actors Simone Ashley and Mo Gilligan sat down along with director Chris Jenkins to share some insights from their experience acting in the Sundance film 10 Lives, in their new uInterview.

10 Lives is an animated comedy that presents the charming tale of Beckett, an indulged feline character (voiced by Gilligan). When Beckett throws away his ninth life, he undergoes a transformative journey, both physically and emotionally, and ultimately discovers profound lessons about the power of love, accompanied by Rose (voiced by Ashley), a kind-hearted student who wants to save the bee population.

The voice actors reflected on the difference in approach to a voice role versus a live-action one.

“It’s so different than my work doing live-action because you’re forced to use your imagination in a much more heightened way, especially when it’s bringing a relationship with an animal to life,” Ashley told uInterview founder Erik Meers. “You know, you’re not going to be in the studio with a talking cat… you gotta believe it.”

Gilligan responded, “This is my first opportunity in this space, and getting the chance to have my introduction into this world as a voice in a cat like Beckett was so fun because he is this lovable cat that’s crafty, but deadpan, but there’s times I’m like, ‘This cat isn’t—this is not a nice cat,’ you know? And there’s times where I fall in love with the cat, and I’m like, ‘I want this cat to really win now.’ You’ve got characters in different spaces that all come together.”

Gilligan continued, “It’s a fun family film that’s funny, and it’s just got a lot of layers to it that just brings your imagination to it, so I couldn’t help but bring that to Beckett in some ways, you know.”

This production boasts an exceptional ensemble cast, with Ashley (Bridgerton), Bill Nighy (Love, Actually) and heartthrob Zayn Malik.

10 Lives marks Malik’s first foray into the world of feature film acting – he embodies the roles of two endearingly clueless henchmen.

In addition to his acting contributions, Malik assumes the role of executive music producer and lends his creative talents to the film’s soundtrack. He has penned several fresh tracks for the projection, which includes a duet with Ashley.