Gugu Mbatha-Raw

As an actress, I'm an emotional person.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Corsets were a challenge in 'Belle;' fake nails tripped me up in 'Blackbird.' Guess I'm not a mani type of girl!

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I like being free to take on any project that inspires me and to trust that the work will speak for itself.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

There is the old boys' club, but there are ­people who are "conviction lobbyists" coming from the heart.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

This is going to sound really sad, but I didn't really have any heartthrobs when I was growing up. I was a…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I was so thrilled to be in 'Doctor Who.' It's such a wonderful experience, and the fan base that that show has…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I was working in the States when Brexit was going on back home in England. I often think that maybe I got…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

For me, I try and be authentic in my choices and follow my instincts, and I think it's a valuable message for…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

But when you become a slave to a public persona and don’t feel comfortable without it, it becomes a shield and it…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

That's the wonderful thing about acting - you play a role. It's about humanity, rather than labeling.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

As a biracial girl growing up in England, I'd never really seen any historical characters who looked like me depicted on film…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

The actors that inspire me are the comedians and the people able to shape-shift into different roles and into different media.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

This is what I've always wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. Coming from dance and theater and what…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

For film, I think because it's more detailed, and especially with historical material, you really have to find the right projects. Speaking…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

It's not often that you get a chance in one role to do the glamour bit and then strip off all the…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

You've got to find a way to relate to people. I just did an improvised episode for Joe Swanberg's new Netflix show,…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I think there are parts of myself in every character I play.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

You have to be able to appreciate who you are.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I see L.A. as a workplace rather than somewhere to live. If I don't get out, I go crazy. If you have…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I like the collarbone, a very clean collarbone. I think there's something also very delicate and balletic about that part of a…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I am an only child, so I relate to the intensity of that single-parent, mother-daughter relationship.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

The 'Pride and Prejudice' with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle was something I watched on a weekly basis with my mum at…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

At home I wear my own clothes, no makeup and don't do anything exciting with my hair. I get to borrow pretty…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

In terms of 'Beyond the Lights' and 'Belle,' they're definitely stories about identity. They're female empowerment stories. So I'm exploring that through…

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Different fragrances promote different emotions, and I find that fragrance gets me in the frame of mind for that person.

— Gugu Mbatha-Raw