the insider: felicity jones

It's been a minute since we last saw Felicity Jones on the big screen--and while we loved spotting the English actress in a recent episode of Girls, we're stoked to see she's back in action with the new movie Breathe In. Directed by Drake Doremus (who also helmed Jones's breakout flick Like Crazy) the dark family drama co-stars Guy Pearce as a suburban music teacher who eventually falls for his exchange student Sophie (played by Jones). Just before the film opens in theaters Friday, we chatted with the star about her new movie, her insane cooking skills, and why she loves Miley Cyrus.

It seems like we've been hearing about Breathe In for a while. When did you shoot it, and what was the filming process like?

Yeah, it's been a long time coming out. We made it in 2011, and it was really fun. I'm glad that it's going to be out and people can see it.We were all living in Manhattan but commuting out to shoot it. In Long Island, which isn't upstate, is it?! [Laughs]

And you've worked with Drake Doremus before, so that must've been nice. 
Very nice. Drake just creates a really comfortable environment to work in. He's really collaborative; he jokes a lot, and we're always laughing in between the scenes of tragedy. And there's just like a really easy, fun atmosphere on set. 

What was it like filming a darker character, one that's not as likable as Anna [Jones's character in Like Crazy]? 

Drake and I both wanted to do something that was more of a thriller than the last film, which was much more romantic and we wanted the character of Sophie to be a little darker. She's a lot more troubled, she's hurt and in pain and going through grief. It was interesting to explore what happens when you are grieving and how that affects your relationships with people.

Let's talk about your episode of Girls! Are you going to come back?
It was good fun, but it was only a one-time thing, I think. Lena [Dunham] and I both had a mutual appreciation of each other's work, and my agent called and said Lena would really like for you to come and play this part and I was like "I'd do anything for that woman!" 

What do you do when you're not busy working? 
I really like cooking. It's a big passion of mine. Obviously in-between reading scripts and working, I'm doing that. I really like going to the cinema, and I like reading. So much of your life is spent living out of a suitcase, so when I'm at home I'm like "I'm going to cook Sunday roast, I'm going to have my family over and just be rooted for a bit."

Which foods do you like to cook?
I do like Sunday roast, chicken roast, fish pies. Quite wholesome, hearty dishes. [Laughing] 

What's your guilty pleasure song?
My passions are much more film and books, but I do like dancing around my apartment. My friend made me this kind of mix-playlist and one of the songs is a remix of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" which is amazing. It's basically Miley Cyrus' voice like really high-pitched, but it's really good to dance around to. It's a great track."

You're in the new Amazing Spider-Man Movie...spill!
[Laughing] That was in New York; it was good fun and was a great thing to be a part of. But the thing is, I can't talk about it because I'm sworn to secrecy. I can only say that I have a small part in it, and it was great fun to do.

Breathe In hits theaters this Friday.