As a biracial girl growing up in England, I'd never really seen any historical characters who looked like me depicted on film before that weren't being brutalized or playing slaves.

I like being free to take on any project that inspires me and to trust that the work will speak for itself.

I don't really have one dish. I'm a very improvisational cook. I sort of like to make things up as I go along. I'm quite creative in the kitchen.

I think there are parts of myself in every character I play.

I was always the one leading the way in terms of wanting to do acting, singing and dancing.

It is important to be conscious of the message that you're putting out there. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get a movie to the screen. I do feel a certain element of responsibility to say something worth saying with it, as well as entertainment.

I try to put myself into whatever character I play.