Aubri Ibrag is a romantic. While she doesn’t say it outright, the minute we begin discussing her role as Lizzy Elmsworth in acclaimed period drama, The Buccaneers, it becomes immediately obvious. “We’re similar in the sense that we have this deep yearning for love. I relate to that and that was my access point. Lizzy hates being left; I hate being left. Lizzy loves being loved; I love being loved, whether that’s by friends or romantically.” 

Ibrag dials in from her Stratford flat and is instantly effervescent, chatty and fun – a world away from her on-screen character, who she describes as a “quiet storm”. “I’m more expressive than Lizzy. I feel like she bottles up a lot of her thoughts [whereas] I’m very forward in my love life. I just speak my mind and sometimes that does get me into trouble. Lizzy bites her tongue and doesn’t always say what she wants to say.” 

The second season of the Apple TV+ period drama, which finished airing this month, proved big for Ibrag. Based on the Edith Wharton novel of the same name, Ibrag’s character is one of five young nouveau riche New Yorkers, alongside Nan and Jinny St George, Conchita Closson, and Lizzy’s sister Mabel Elmsworth, sent to the UK from 1870s Gilded Age America in search of husbands. While the first season focused on Nan’s love triangle, the highly-anticipated second season pushed Lizzy into the spotlight – and Ibrag was thrilled for her. 

Aubri Ibrag as Lizzy and Kristine Frøseth as Nan in The Buccaneers. Image: Apple TV+

“I think she’s such an interesting character; I was really happy that she was going to get a life experience. She was on the sidelines in season one, just looking at things and not getting involved. This season, she dives in and does some questionable things – I don’t judge my characters,” says Ibrag, laughing. “She was always such a perfect person, would never step a foot wrong and was such a people pleaser, so it’s really great to see her follow her desires.

“She’s so shy and reserved but inside there’s so much going on. She’s constantly worrying and observing. We see her unravel a lot in her love life in season two, which is lovely because she really yearns for that. She’s been very overlooked in the past and taken advantage of sexually so she lost that belief in love. After what happened to her, it’s really nice to see her be brave and go against her fear after the abuse.”

Having originally auditioned for the role of Nan, Ibrag said she fell in love with The Buccaneers as soon as she read the script – “the writing really hit” – and says starring in a period drama was always an ambition. “I love period dramas; The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman, Pride and Prejudice, obviously, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. I love the really traditional ones but I also love that we have a resurgence of putting modern twists on period dramas. It makes people who are intimidated by the historical aspect understand that actually, back in the day, while things were of course different and more intense for women, we go through similar experiences today. It seems universal. 

“It’s escapism to a world that’s so fascinating – and no phones! People say characters move fast in period dramas or fall in love quicker but you never knew if you were going to see this person again or how to contact them; you’d have to write a letter or get a carriage for five hours. I think that’s why people were so rash with love back in the 19^th century. Now we have texting, people are in situationships for three years. It’s a bit different.” 

Unlike other period dramas, The Buccaneers is as much about female friendship as it is about romance. “It reflects what happens when you grow up. It explores a side of friendship that [evolves] from childhood friends [to when] everyone starts getting married, living their lives and growing apart. It also looks at conflict between friends which always happens. It’s inevitable and it would be unrealistic if there was never any conflict. Of course, it’s extra dramatic this season.” 

Much of said second season drama centres around Lizzy, who (spoiler alert) falls for Theo, the Duke of Tintagel, and estranged husband of her friend, Nan. A passionate affair ensues, even during the lead up to Lizzy’s own wedding to high society figure and British politician, Hector Robinson. When I ask Ibrag about her favourite filming experience, she doesn’t hesitate: “I loved the day we had the wedding. I’m not married yet, but it was so surreal because it almost did feel like my actual wedding day. I was in this gorgeous, huge, custom-made dress and I was in a carriage; I felt nervous like I was actually getting ready to walk down the aisle. 

Aubri Ibrag as Lizzy and Jacob Ifan as Hector Robinson in The Buccaneers. Images: Apple TV+

“My favourite scene was with Guy [Theo]; he runs to the church and I run down the steps with my huge dress like a runaway bride situation – hopefully I will never get to experience that bit in real life,” she says, laughing. “But Guy’s speech was so moving and it really made me emotional. I couldn’t stop crying in between takes.” 

The drama certainly lends itself to the costume department – with Google searches for Lizzy’s gorgeous wedding dress spiking after the episode aired. “I have a love-hate relationship with corsets. I always say make it tighter and then lunch comes around and I can’t breathe. I fall over a lot in my corsets as it’s quite tricky to walk, but I love the look of them and what they add to a character. 

“It physically puts you in [your character’s] position and is a metaphor for how women were in the 19^th century: repressed. You can’t effortlessly run through a field because you can hardly breathe. I feel like a different person with a corset on.”

Born in Dagestan and raised in Australia, Ibrag was always fascinated by acting and performing – and was never a stranger to the stage. “I have videos of me when I was five, growing up in Russia, and dressing up in different gowns. When I went to daycare, we’d put on plays and I’d always be the main character. It all started from there.” 

Who were her role models? “There’s just something about her [...] she has so much life,” says Ibrag, tilting the camera to show me a black and white portrait of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s on her wall. “I watched the film when I was 13 and thought, ‘I have to do this’. I read the book and I loved the story; I just knew I wanted to make movies like this.” 

School, she reveals, was a struggle and she wishes she could go back and tell herself not to worry. “I’m now in a place where I don’t care what people think about what I choose to do or what I wear, but in school I would wear shoes like these,” says Ibrag while holding up a pair of now very on-trend Mary Janes. “Everyone would make fun of me. I felt so embarrassed. School was just a silly place for me and I never really thrived. [If I could, I would say] always trust your instincts and don’t worry what people think of your choices.”

After school, Ibrag moved to LA and, post-filming The Buccaneers, to London – and makes no secret of her thoughts on the capital. “I love London; I think I’m going to live here forever. There’s such good energy – and public transport is such a nice thing to have. I used to live in LA, where it was such a car city, and I don’t drive so it just felt isolating. It’s so vast and spread out that it almost feels a little lonely, whereas in London you can go out on the street and see people. You feel like you’re socialising even if you’re not.” 

Finally, the question on everyone’s lips: any news on a third season of The Buccaneers? “Well, I hope so. I haven’t heard anything yet – has anyone else?” says Ibrag, smiling. “I would hate to let go of Lizzy now. I am ready for her story and I want to see what happens next.” Us too. 

The Buccaneers is available to stream now on Apple TV+. 

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