DSCENE magazine reveals the actor Bethany Antonia as one of its cover stars Design under pressure issue. Photographed by Come on Rose Peck and styled by Lewis Strattonthe cover introduces a story shaped by performance, patience and the pressure of working in large-scale television and live theater. Antonia wears on the cover Diorsetting a sophisticated visual direction for a feature focused on control, presence and artistic development. The interview was conducted by the publisher of DSCENE magazine Ana Markovic.
Design Under Pressure examines the forces shaping contemporary culture through fashion, film, television, music, design, architecture, art and public life. The theme examines pressure as a creative condition, tracing how artists and cultural figures respond to expectation, visibility, speed and control. With Bethany Antonia, DSCENE approaches the subject through the discipline of performance and the long process behind work that reaches audiences in very different forms.
Antonia talks about the first experiences that shaped her acting career. Her mother enrolled her in dance lessons as soon as she could walk, with acting and singing following soon after. High school drama classes led to a local acting group, where she landed her first job at 14 in a Shakespeare adaptation. “I couldn’t believe this was something I could do and call it work” he tells DSCENE. “From there I never looked back.”
At the heart of the debate is House of the Dragonwhere Antonia plays Lady Baela Targaryen. The role has taught her how to think about time differently. He describes a process that spans many years, from reading early scripts to discussing costumes long before they hit the screen. For Antonia, the series revealed “the power of patience”, and the value of building a character slowly, piece by piece. She joined the production at 22 and is now 28, with the role marking an important period in her personal and professional life.
The interview is also directed towards public viewing. Antonia explains that being part of such a large series initially made her acutely self-conscious, especially with the scale of attention surrounding the show. Over time, this experience has changed. Now she talks about finding joy in exposure and turning it into excitement and pride. This change reflects the broader focus of Design Under Pressure, where creative work is often developed under public observation, expectation and reaction.
Antonia also discusses Hadestown, where she takes on the role of Eurydice. Going to the theater brings a different kind of discipline, rooted in repetition, presence and night shift. She describes the experience as a dream role and says nothing could have fully prepared her for the reality of playing Eurydice. “Live, carbonated, always relevant, different every night” says about the production. “I’m very happy when I’m on stage and Hadestown has cemented that in every way.”
The cover features photography by Ella Rose Peck, styling by Lewis Stratton, makeup by Morgan Wyn, hair by Lucia Josephine, motion direction by Lee Jay Hoy and fashion assistance by Alexandria Ng and Logun Screen. As part of DSCENE magazine’s Design Under Pressure issue, Bethany Antonia’s cover opens up a conversation about time, discipline, imagination, theater and the choices that shape an actor into various shapes.
Photographer ELLA ROSE PECK
Stylist LOUIS STRATTON
Makeup MORGAN WHITE
Hair LUCIA JOSEPHINE
Movement Director LEE JAY HOY
Fashion assistants ALEXANDRIA OF & LOGON SCREEN
Talent BETHANIA ANTONIA
