Quotes

People are catching on to diversity and colour-blind casting. For me, it meant turning down certain work and making a stand. There are certain roles - say, terrorist roles - that if I don't feel like it's something truthful, I'm not going to do it.

[on suffering with anxiety] The saddest thing in this business is that no one will know if you have something like anxiety, because you always have to have this confidence on set. No one will know you've been sitting in your trailer, not eating your lunch because you're trying to sleep because you want to switch the anxiety off. The heartache I'd go through before a scene - worrying that I wouldn't deliver - was traumatic.

I think I have become wise enough, because I started at a young age and know there are ups and downs in this business - I've realised it's not real. In my job, the not working is real and the actual work is just fantasy. I could see why there was this video telling actors: 'Don't be a dick.'

I've spent so many years going, 'OK, I'm not brown enough and I'm not white enough. When you go on sets and you don't see anyone like you, you think, 'You're just very lucky to be here, so keep your mouth shut.'

I'm interested in the dark horse. It's too scary being the face of something, unless it's really right. A lot of young actors want to get a lead role, get into Hollywood. I do everything slow and steady.

[on living in LA] I loved the work, but I remember being in the hotel, on the top floor. You couldn't even open the window, and I thought: 'This is my home?' And I felt so sad. I was going out, partying in Vegas, drinking a lot suddenly, being a bit aggressive.