Early in her career, Gugu Mbatha-Raw was advised by an older, white actor to change her name to something easier to pronounce. She declined, standing firm in her decision as a young actor. Mbatha-Raw explained that her name means ‚Our Pride‘ in Zulu, and changing it would go against its meaningful significance. Despite her success, which includes awards and being appointed a Goodwill Ambassador, people still struggle to pronounce her name correctly. Mbatha-Raw reflects on the challenge of the west’s complacency towards those with ethnic roots different from their own, emphasizing the importance of reaching beyond one’s culture.
Mbatha-Raw is known for her roles that blend art with social advocacy. She is currently promoting the second series of Surface, a thriller on Apple TV, where she also serves as an executive producer. The series explores themes of identity, trust, and trauma, with the second season set in the UK offering a darker and faster-paced narrative.
Despite her success, Mbatha-Raw maintains a private personal life, believing that mystery enhances her artistic work. She values the ability to take audiences on imaginative journeys through her characters without distractions from her personal life. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her disciplined approach to acting and her commitment to maintaining a sense of privacy in an age of constant social media presence.
Born in Oxfordshire to a white mother and a black South African father, Mbatha-Raw credits her parents for instilling in her a strong work ethic and a sense of social justice. Her father’s activism against apartheid influenced her political awareness, shaping her views on justice and equality. As a professional artist, Mbatha-Raw draws inspiration from her multicultural background and strives to bring diverse perspectives to her work on stage and screen. Two years later, she received a nomination for an Evening Standard award for her role in Jess Swale’s play Nell Gwyn, which tells the story of an orange seller who climbed the social ranks to become the mistress of Charles II. She gained more visibility starring in the Emmy-winning episode of Black Mirror, San Junipero. In 2017, she was honored with an MBE by the Queen for her contributions to drama.
One of the pivotal moments in driving social change was her role in the 2013 film Belle, where she portrayed the mixed-race aristocrat Lady Dido Elizabeth Belle. This film challenged traditional assumptions about period dramas and paved the way for more diverse representation in the industry. Mbatha-Raw credits the show Bridgerton, which she believes has had a lasting impact on the industry by promoting diversity both in front and behind the camera.
Diversity is a cause close to her heart, and she uses her executive role to ensure that crews are diverse on the sets she works on. She acknowledges the progress made in recent years in the UK but emphasizes that there is still work to be done, especially behind the camera.
Growing up in a small town in the 80s, she wasn’t fully aware of racism until she learned more about her father’s experiences under apartheid. Working in America in her mid-20s exposed her to a sharper focus on race in the media, with people sometimes inaccurately assigning labels based on race.
Mbatha-Raw has worked with industry giants like Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith, who have supported and inspired her throughout her career. During the pandemic, she found solace in painting, using her art to connect with loved ones and raise awareness about racial injustice through charity auctions.
As she settles back in Oxfordshire, she looks forward to upcoming projects like the Doctor Who spin-off and the Sky Original series Inheritance, which tackles the legacies of slavery and colonialism. She is excited to provoke meaningful conversations through her work and is unafraid to navigate the storms of change in the industry.
In her downtime, she enjoys watching nature documentaries to unwind and appreciate the simplicity of life outside of acting. „Das entspannt mich.“
Oberfläche Staffel 2 wird auf Apple TV+ gestreamt
Mode-Editor Jo Jones; Haare von James Catalano bei The Wall Group mit Amika; Make-up von Tania Grier mit Prada Beauty; Modeassistent Sam Deaman; Fotografieassistenten Ethan Humphries und Sophie Phillips