Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugulethu Sophia Mbatha, known as Gugu Mbatha-Raw, is an English stage and film actress...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionActress
bit fortunate love scripts
I don't really want to just play the girlfriend or the love interest. I get so many scripts like that, and - not to moan, because I'm really fortunate - but I just look at those scripts, and my heart sinks a little bit because I think there's so much more to us than that.
ella fitzgerald listened musical nina
I've always sung. I was really into musical theater when I was growing up. As a kid, I listened to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, actually, on cassette tapes.
experience home love music musical national performing production theater threw town youth
I just love performing so much, and I threw myself into every musical theater production that was going in my home town and at school. And then, I went to the National Youth Music Theatre, which was really a galvanizing experience for me when I was 17.
bit sad
This is going to sound really sad, but I didn't really have any heartthrobs when I was growing up. I was a bit of a geek.
people roles
The actors that inspire me are the comedians and the people able to shape-shift into different roles and into different media.
basis colin home jennifer mum watched weekly
The 'Pride and Prejudice' with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle was something I watched on a weekly basis with my mum at home in Oxfordshire.
people stories
Speaking as a mixed-race woman, there aren't many historical stories about people like me.
work
In 2009, I was living in London and getting work I enjoyed.
base experience fails fan thrilled wonderful
I was so thrilled to be in 'Doctor Who.' It's such a wonderful experience, and the fan base that that show has never fails to surprise me.
played wizard
I played Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz.' That was my first role on stage.
corsets guess nails tripped type
Corsets were a challenge in 'Belle;' fake nails tripped me up in 'Blackbird.' Guess I'm not a mani type of girl!
When I was nine, 'The Borrowers' was such a big series for me!
complement fit
I like to choose things that fit my body for sure; you learn to find the things that complement your shape.
low unless wear
When I'm not working, I'm really, really low key. I don't wear makeup unless I have to; I don't get my hair done unless I really need to.