"This woman wouldn't wear sneakers to an office meeting. She has already outrun a T-Rex in heels [in Jurassic World]. I felt really strongly about it but that [sentiment] is also meant with humour," she says. "It's not like the message of the movie is, 'Don't ever wear heels in case you encounter a dinosaur'."
Chris Pratt also reprises his role, and together the pair return to the abandoned island to rescue the dinosaurs from extinction. The film also stars fan favourite Jeff Goldblum.
"I have never met anybody more charming in my entire life," Howard says about Goldblum.
In person, Howard, 37, is effusive. Given that her father, Ron Howard, is famously understated, it seems she has inherited her mother, Cheryl's, "very chatty and excitable" character. There's no suggestion of Hollywood entitlement about her, though she's the daughter of an Oscar winner. She appears utterly down to earth, a quality she has attributed to her close relationships.
"We are a really close family, super close. I'm the eldest of four and my younger siblings, who I guess must have a life, are always making fun of me because I speak to my parents so often," she laughs. "I email or speak to my dad every other day. If three days goes by he will say, 'I really miss you. Are you okay?'"
The self-deprecating actress does indeed have a very full life of her own. She met her husband, actor Seth Gabel at New York University. They married in 2006 and have a son, Theo, 11, and a daughter, Beatrice, 6.
"For many parents, regardless of their profession, you suddenly realise what was your first priority is now your second. And so it's a constant juggle between career and parenthood. I find it's very much moment by moment, year by year, smelling the roses and realising how great it is to be faced with that juggle. I remember many long nights breastfeeding, feeling sleep-deprived and fantasising about being on a set," she laughs.
In a surprise casting choice, Howard starred in the cult TV series Black Mirror in 2016. "Oh my God. Black Mirror is bananas. I'll tell you what was surreal - going to China and having people compliment me on Black Mirror. I think what has resonated globally is that we're all dealing with the same stuff with social media. It's captured our collective anxiety."
What gives Howard anxiety? One of the traits she has inherited from her father it seems - parental tenderness.
"There was one time when I was gone for a week. It was terrible," she frowns, tearing up. "It makes me really emotional to even talk about it, but during that time my daughter carried the little Claire Lego doll around with her in her pocket. She brought it to school and took it everywhere with her, even to sleep. It was heartbreaking and simultaneously adorable."
It would appear that she balances her career and family more successfully than most. Cognisant of her good fortune, Howard says, "It's wonderful to experience both. I never forget that it's a privilege."
LOWDOWN
Who: Bryce Dallas Howard
What: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
When: In cinemas today
