EXCLUSIVE: BAFTA Nominee Gugu Mbatha-Raw Dishes On Working With Eddie Redmayne

EXCLUSIVE: We Meet BAFTA Nominee, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

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by Lottie Lumsden |
Published on

It looks like 2015 is going to be Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s year. Not only has she been nominated for a BAFTA, but she’s currently starring alongside Eddie Redmayne in Jupiter Ascending, has just wrapped filming on Concussion with Will Smith and is about to start work on a new film with Matthew McConaughey. Exciting times. This follows on from a successful 2014, when the Oxford born actress won rave reviews for her portrayal of historical character, Dido Elizabeth Belle (a mixed-race 18th century aristocrat) in* Belle*. She spoke to us about working with Eddie Redmayne, Broadchurch and prosthetic ears...

Gugu with her Jupiter Ascending co-star Eddie Redmayne (L) and actor Ben Barnes (R) (Getty)
Gugu with her Jupiter Ascending co-star Eddie Redmayne (L) and actor Ben Barnes (R) (Getty)

GD: Congratulations on your BAFTA nomination!

Gugu: It’s been an amazing year with Belle and Beyond The Lights. I was so excited to be recognised and honoured by BAFTA.

GD: What films would you like to win on Sunday at the BAFTAs?

Gugu: I really loved _Birdma_n, it’s so unique, interesting and stylish. It’s so fun. I also loved The Theory of Everything.

GD: What was it like working with Eddie Redmayne on Jupiter Ascending?

Gugu: We are both in it but didn’t actually have any scenes together! I know him a little bit socially though through friends and I’m really excited for him. He did a phenomenal job in The Theory Of Everything.

Gugu plays Famulus in Jupiter Ascending

GD: Tell us about Jupiter Ascending?

Gugu: I’d never done anything on such a large scale. It’s a big futuristic studio movie, and I was excited to get involved because of the Wachowskis (the directors behind The Matrix). I’ve always been inspired by their imagination and the scale of their productions. I got to wear prosthetics for the first time – I wore prosthetic ears. It’s a visually spectacular film.

GD: It’s a good time to be in Hollywood for Brits?

Gugu: I think so but I don’t think there is ever a bad time! It’s not an easy place but there are lots of opportunities there. I love working at home too, it was great to do Belle, because it's such a quintessentially British drama.

Gugu in Belle

GD: What was it like working on Belle?

Gugu: It was so special from start to finish. It was such a unique perspective on history – to know that someone like Belle existed in that period of time. It was a wonderful cast to work with too. I learned so much from Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson, they are such seasoned actors.

GD: Were you aware of the story before you were cast?

Gugu: I definitely knew about the painting which inspired the story (a 1779 picture of Dido with her cousin Elizabeth Murray formerly attributed to Johann Zoffany). I lived in Highgate when I was at drama school and walked on Hampstead Heath (where Dido lived) all the time. I have a postcard of the painting from the gift shop at Kenwood House.

Gugu with co-star Minnie Driver in Beyond The Lights

GD: Did you enjoy doing a period drama?

Gugu: Apart from an episode of Miss Marple, I hadn’t really done anything period on the screen. It was a real delight to go and time travel. It was a shock to the system wearing a corset for 12-hours a day. We did loosen them at lunchtime! It made me realise that they weren’t the most practical items of clothing.

GD: What was it like working with Will Smith on Concussion?

Gugu: It’s been amazing. Concussion is an American true story – it’s about brain injuries in the NFL. Will is such a pro and such an open hearted and spirited person. He’s a very generous actor to work with.

Gugu won the award for Best Actress for 'Belle' at the Moet British Independent Film Awards in December

GD: You worked with David Tennant on Doctor Who. Have you been watching him in Broadchurch?

Gugu: I watched the first series but I’ve been filming in Pittsburg for the last few weeks so I’m going to have to catch up. It’s great writing, really suspenseful and David is a terrific actor.

GD: Finally and most importantly - have you got your outfit sorted for the BAFTAs?

Gugu: I’m really fortunate this year to be working with an amazing stylist. She’s helped me out because I’ve been travelling around a lot and there’s not a lot of time to browse. She narrows it down and we’ve got a few options I’m excited about. I’m going to keep that quiet for now…

Gugu has been nominated for the 2015 BAFTA EE Rising Star Award. Cast your vote here

Gallery

Best BAFTA dresses

FotorCreated1 of 21

FotorCreated

GALLERY >> The Best BAFTA Dresses

Elizabeth Taylor2 of 21

Elizabeth Taylor

1967

Renee Zellwegger in Prada3 of 21

Renee Zellwegger in Prada

2004

Penelope Cruz in Azzedine Alaia4 of 21

Penelope Cruz in Azzedine Alaia

2009

Sharon Stone in John Galliano5 of 21

Sharon Stone in John Galliano

2009

Mischa Barton in Osman Yousefazda6 of 21

Mischa Barton in Osman Yousefazda

2009

Carey Mulligan in Vionnet7 of 21

Carey Mulligan in Vionnet

2011

Emma Stone in Lanvin8 of 21

Emma Stone in Lanvin

2011

Sienna Miller in vintage Ungaro9 of 21

Sienna Miller in vintage Ungaro

2007

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior10 of 21

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior

2013

Audrey Hepburn11 of 21

Audrey Hepburn

1955

Holliday Grainger in Valentino12 of 21

Holliday Grainger in Valentino

2012

Kate Winslet in Ben De Lisi13 of 21

Kate Winslet in Ben De Lisi

2007

Angelina Jolie in Armani14 of 21

Angelina Jolie in Armani

2009

Emma Watson in Valentino15 of 21

Emma Watson in Valentino

2011

Lupita Nyong'o in Dior Couture16 of 21

Lupita Nyong'o in Dior Couture

2014

Angelina Jolie in Saint Laurent17 of 21

Angelina Jolie in Saint Laurent

2014

Anne Hathaway in Burberry18 of 21

Anne Hathaway in Burberry

2013

Keira Knightley in Valentino19 of 21

Keira Knightley in Valentino

2008

Jessica Alba in Versace20 of 21

Jessica Alba in Versace

2011

Kate Winslet in Stella McCartney21 of 21

Kate Winslet in Stella McCartney

2010

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