Zawe Ashton

What sometimes annoys me about the arts is increasingly that we have to put real people on screen or stage.

— Zawe Ashton

No-one tells you about being in episodic television and it ending. No-one tells you how painful it is. How bizarre it is…

— Zawe Ashton

One of the first plays I ever did was at the Royal Court Theatre in London; it was the first play I…

— Zawe Ashton

Relief is not a word that ever enters my mind, about anything.

— Zawe Ashton

I'm not really sure what defines 'success in the real world' to be honest! It's so objective once you graduate, some people…

— Zawe Ashton

Some people shun the idea of role models but I think it's one of the most important things people have in life…

— Zawe Ashton

I love the visual medium of film and TV. I love the science of it, working with the sound and the lighting…

— Zawe Ashton

I've had doors slammed in my face, I've been shouted at in my face in meetings when I've stood up for myself.

— Zawe Ashton

I prefer to avoid the phrase 'strong women' when talking about female characters and the lack thereof or the need therefore, because…

— Zawe Ashton

I don't want to be 'de-ethnicised.' I hate it when people say, 'Oh I don't even think of you as a woman,'…

— Zawe Ashton

If I was someone who wanted to do just love-interest roles then I'd be in a difficult position. But thankfully I'm someone…

— Zawe Ashton

I've never lived in north or west London, so I'd like to come out of my comfort zone for a bit. But…

— Zawe Ashton

I know I'm different and I don't fit in to any kind of generic mould.

— Zawe Ashton

The widespread shame of motherhood is criminal, and it needs to stop. The world can never improve if you disrespect the people…

— Zawe Ashton

I'm someone who likes to explore the complexities in people.

— Zawe Ashton

I hate when there's a band that you've loved and you go and see them and it's like only the really new…

— Zawe Ashton

How long have we got to talk about women of colour and imposter syndrome. It's a real thing, and many people have…

— Zawe Ashton

My drama teacher when I was a kid called me 'Zawe the activist' and I had no idea why. Now I've got…

— Zawe Ashton

I have no idea how to ever sell myself in a snazzy way.

— Zawe Ashton

I think anyone who has been bullied finds it life-affirming if you live to tell the tale. I just wish someone told…

— Zawe Ashton

Todd Solondz is a film maker I've always loved because of how he balances darkness, humour and surrealism in his films.

— Zawe Ashton

I actually grew up around the corner from where Harold Pinter did. If you want a snapshot of my childhood, me and…

— Zawe Ashton

I'm Hackney born and bred and find it hard to call anywhere else home despite the extreme ongoing gentrification which gets me…

— Zawe Ashton

What a character wears and how it affects their mood and their movements has always been very important to me. A character's…

— Zawe Ashton

From the outside, some people might consider me a hipster!

— Zawe Ashton