Photography: Tessa Burrows
It was a Sunday morning like any other when the trajectory of real estate agent Eneka Burrough’s life unexpectedly changed.
While drinking coffee with her husband Tony, 52, in bed, she received a message from her best friend saying a casting company was looking for women who matched her physical description and Eneka should apply.
Just days later, after taking a leap of faith and enquiring, the Christchurch mother of two arrived on the set of the film Holy Days, having been cast as a body and stunt double for legendary British actress Miriam Margolyes.
“I walked in, like, ‘Okay, what am I doing? Then, before I knew it, I’m dressed as a nun and I’m having chats with Miriam,” shares Eneka, 45, still incredulous.
A life-changing experience
For seven weeks, open homes were swapped for the magic of movie sets, new experiences and an unexpected but life-changing friendship with the BAFTA award-winning actress.
“The whole thing was mind-boggling,” says Eneka.
“Every second of every day, I was doing something I’d never done before.”
Eneka had no previous acting experience and admits there were some nerves meeting Miriam, who plays Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, but she was soon at ease.
“Miriam just wanted to know everybody around her and was always sitting there asking you questions about yourself,” beams Eneka, adding that Miriam often chose to eat meals with the wider cast and crew rather than in her private campervan.
“She was just absolutely amazing.”
The woman behind the legend
On one occasion, Eneka returned from set to find Miriam had been scrolling through her phone looking at family photos and wanted to know all about her children, Kade, 18, and Ari, 15.
The 85-year-old’s sense of humour and ability to laugh at herself also left a lasting impression.
“She honestly would get us in trouble all the time,” tells Eneka.
“We’d be on set, everything quiet, about to start rolling and she’d fart really loudly! I’d just get the giggles and when the director came over to tell us to be quiet, she would completely throw us under the bus.”
But Eneka was also witnessing the realities of ageing and says often Miriam would use walking aids or a wheelchair.
The moment everything changed
Miriam’s honesty about her health and mobility challenges, particularly her weight, struck Eneka, as did her determination to continue working while she still could.
At the time, like many busy working mothers, Eneka put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own. But the deep conversations with Miriam prompted her to seriously consider her health.
“I realised that I didn’t want to die early or be in a situation like Miriam where she’s so immobile,” she tells.
After filming wrapped, Eneka made a commitment to herself, starting with walking the family dog Louie twice a day.
It’s been gradual but transformative, with Eneka losing 20kg in the past 18 months, now feeling fitter and healthier than she has in years.
“I just prioritised myself,” she smiles.
The adventure of a lifetime
Meeting Miriam has also given Eneka incredible memories and stories to tell for years to come.
“Filming was absolutely fascinating,” she recalls.
One day, Eneka stepped into a giant warehouse where the production team had transformed tonnes of Epsom salts into a snowy mountain landscape.
“I would have sworn I was in Twizel, standing at the base of Aoraki [Mt Cook],” she says.
Then there were the stunts, including high-speed car chases and a tumble into the ocean.
“I was really, really worried because they’d cleared the whole beach and there were 70 to 80 people watching, and I knew I really only had one take to get it right,” says Eneka.
With coaching from the stunt team, she pulled it off.
“I remember coming back out of the ocean wrapped in a hypothermic blanket and Miriam was standing there saying, ‘Bravo, Eneka, bravo.’”
Eneka has now watched the film, which was released earlier this year, six times. While she can clearly spot herself in certain scenes, with the magic of cinema, viewers are likely none the wiser.
“All the car chases, yeah, that’s me,” she smiles proudly.
Life has now largely returned to normal, but for Eneka, it has taught her the power of saying yes to new experiences.
“I learned so much about an industry I knew nothing about,” she enthuses.
“I met cast and crew that have worked on Lord of the Rings and Avatar, and people who have done amazing things. “It was one of those things where your gut says, ‘Oh, why don’t you just go for it?’ I think you’ve just got to trust your gut and take a risk.”
Holy Days is available to rent on Neon.
