In the US, there was a point after George Floyd’s death when many in Hollywood promised there would be real systemic change, but some in the industry
In the US, there was a point after George Floyd’s death when many in Hollywood promised there would be real systemic change, but some in the industry see backsliding already.
Unfortunately, we still see many things as trends and as fashions. And what we’re trying to say is that we’re human and we’re here to stay, and our stories and our voices deserve to be heard. But that conversation kind of feels aged now. How long can we keep saying that?
You’re in the upcoming movie The Roses, which is Jay Roach’s reimagining of The War of the Roses with Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. That is pretty good company.
Oh my God. Olivia Colman is a dream. She’s exactly how you’d imagine her to be, like the best friend that we all want to have. It’s effortless how she leads the set and how she goes from being herself to being in character—everything is effortless. It was so nice working with someone as frosty and as chill as that. There was one afternoon that she ordered scones and jam and crumpets and cream and taught me and [costar] Sunita Mani how to have scones and tea properly, like the queen. It was a glorious afternoon. I couldn’t believe that they had never worked together, Colman and Cumberbatch, because the chemistry is just off the charts.
Can you tell me anything more about your character?
I was about to start, and I was like, Ncuti, you’re not allowed to say anything! He’s Olivia Colman’s right-hand man in certain ways. It’s outrageous, but beautifully transitioned into 2024. It is dim and it’s scary and it’s fun.
So you went from being on set with Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie to being sandwiched between Cumberbatch and Colman.
It’s a nice sandwich; I hope to be in many more sandwiches. Oh, Cumberbatch! Benedict is…what a dream. The things I want to say about that man, I don’t think are appropriate. What a handsome and charming, lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely man. He put me to shame. This man gets up and swims in the frosty sea every morning.
You weren’t tempted to go sea swimming, even with Benedict Cumberbatch?
I mean, I was tempted. I was very, very tempted. But I thought, No, I’ll see you on set.
I thought you were a risk-taker.
I am a risk-taker, but one risk I don’t want is hypothermia, so I gave that one a miss.
One more thing: You mentioned a Barbie phone earlier. When you did the movie, did you get a Ken doll of yourself?
I did not get a Ken doll of myself. But watch this space.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. For fashion and beauty details, go to VF.com/credits.
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