I wanted to play roles which offered new ways of viewing black women and black people in general- and I have done that. And I have always, whether I needed to pay the rent or not, I've always turned down roles which I thought were stereotypical. And so when I look at my body of work in that respect, I am really happy. Because I feel my work does say something positive and that was what I always set out to do.

I never ever thought that I would be in a Bond film, ever, which is weird because I grew up loving these amazing movies.

I like to believe that we all pray to the same god.

What I generally get from being in Africa is a sense of warmth and openness. As a stranger, you are always welcomed into people's homes and people are always offering you food. That generosity is incredibly touching.

I'm not the greatest driver. I don't know if I'll ever master the art.

I was really nervous, because I was certain it was going to be bigger than anything I'd ever done before. But I was relieved when I actually discovered that there was a family atmosphere on the set, with a brother-sister team, Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson running it all.

For some reason I just lack that ability to be embarrassed about going up to people. I even do it for friends if they want to ask someone out.