Rising British actress Andrea Ware is set to make waves acting opposite Gerard Butler in the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. The 6ft 2in redhead brings a commanding presence and heartfelt depth to her role as Burnheart, a formidable Viking warrior from Stoick’s clan. The production marks a thrilling chapter in Andrea’s career, which already boasts standout roles in TNT’s ‘Snowpiercer’ (alongside Jennifer Connelly and Sean Bean), ABC’s ‘The Good Doctor’, SyFy’s ‘Van Helsing’ and Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’. A magnetic screen presence, Andrea is quickly carving out a space for herself in the world of high-concept, genre-defying cinema. She tells us about slaying dragons, working alongside comedy legends, and why she loves being tall.

What were the highlights of working on ‘How To Train Your Dragon’?

“There were so many! It was pure magic. From the casting room to being on set, it was so exciting to be cast in such a huge project. We filmed in Belfast, which was stunning. Waking up to the sun rising beyond the mountain really sets you up for a day of slaying dragons! Our director, Dean DeBlois, was wonderful, and he immediately created a trustful and warm environment on set. From the moment he appeared in his Canadian Cowichan sweater and said hello, I knew we’d be friends. He was very generous and open to us putting our own spin on the characters. The sets and costumes blew us away; we walked out into the arena to 500 Vikings on our first day of shooting – what a thrill!”

What was it like being part of such an impressive cast?

“The cast were exceptional, and our motley crew of Vikings instantly became family – they had me cracking up on day one. Witnessing Gerard Butler, Nick Frost and Peter Serafinowicz riff off each other was a joy! It’s always a gift to work with brilliant actors and there were many in this movie.”

Who did you work most closely with on the film?

“I play Burnheart, who is part of Stoick’s clan of Vikings, so I worked mostly with Gerry [Gerard Butler] and the baddest warriors who ever lived! It’s not a huge cast, so I shared scenes with everyone.”

What have been some of your most memorable projects?

“I’ve shot a lot of TV in Canada; most notably three seasons of ‘Snowpiercer’ with Jennifer Connelly and Sean Bean. I also worked on a season of ‘Van Helsing’ and had a recurring role on ‘The Good Doctor’. The last Universal feature film I did was Sir Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’ – I played Little John’s wench!”

What else is coming up for you?

“Playing a Viking was definitely on the bucket list, and it was so fun. I’m 6ft 2in with red hair, so it makes sense; I was able to fully embrace my physicality and power in this role. I now know I’m made for the larger-than-life ethereal roles. It’s interesting that once you truly recognise your niche, those roles start flowing in – I used to lie about my height, but accepting I was tall was a good move for my career! There were two other women in ‘How To Train Your Dragon’ who were taller than me; just wait until you see us in action… I often play an intimidating badass, and I’m OK with that, though I’m much sweeter than my characters. For my next role, maybe a werewolf queen, or a sprinkling of comedy would be fun too. And I wouldn’t say no if the Marvelverse comes knocking!”

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is released in cinemas today, 13 June 2025.