You should see Gugu Mbatha-Raw in a crown. A classically trained actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Oxford, England-born Mbatha-Raw’s cinematic breakthrough came in 2013 with the titular role in Amma Asante’s stately period piece, Belle. This fall, she co-stars in Misbehaviour, a historical dramedy that looks at a more recent piece of British history, the eventful 1970 Miss World Pageant. Mbatha-Raw plays Miss Grenada, Jennifer Hosten, who-despite a ceremony derailed by protests from the women’s liberation movement-became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss World. For Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Misbehaviour was another chance to play a woman of color who broke down real-life barriers, something she’s been doing herself with a prolific career that’s gone far beyond period pieces to encompass almost every genre imaginable. From political dramas to Disney adventures to gonzo space-operas to The Morning Show, she livens up any project with a warm charisma-in other words, Gugu Mbatha-Raw has a natural star power that should qualify her as acting royalty.
Ahead of Misbehaviour’s VOD release date, The A.V. Club had the opportunity to speak with the actor about her young but already impressive career. With a busy schedule ahead of her-including a mysterious role in Disney+’s Loki series-Mbatha-Raw no doubt has many notable roles to come, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reflect on where she’s been. During a delightful afternoon Zoom chat, Gugu Mbatha-Raw discussed her bond with Beyond The Lights director Gina Prince-Bythewood, contemplated why “San Junipero” is everyone’s favorite Black Mirror episode, celebrated the 10th anniversary of J.J. Abrams’ gone-to-soon Undercovers, and revealed which Jupiter Ascending prop she saved as a keepsake.
#GuguMbathaRaw #SanJunipero #TheDarkCrystal
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