Lashana Lynch
stars in
Peacock
Series
Day of the Jackal
Photography | Rhys Frampton
Stylist | Karen Clarkson
Interview by Stella Hofferman
Lashana Lynch has proven herself as a stunning and unstoppable force. Starring in massive projects such as Captain Marvel, No Time To Die, The Woman King, and Bob Marley: One Love in only the past five years, her ascent to stardom has been unrelenting and a wonderful sight to behold. The BAFTA Rising Star award-winner is set to star in and co-executive produce Peacock’s upcoming series The Day of the Jackal alongside Eddie Redmayne, premiering on the platform on November 14th. Today, Lashana Lynch discusses her highly anticipated new project and reflects on her career leading up to it.
Coat: Patrick McDowell, Jewellery: Lashana’s own
These past few years have been astronomical for you. You’ve starred in The Marvels, The Woman King alongside Viola Davis, portrayed the first female 007 in a Bond film, and most recently played Rita Marley in Bob Marley: One Love. What has this been like, and how do you navigate change in your life?
You’d think that the enormity of all of my projects would have landed by now. They still haven’t. Though the change it’s all brought has forced me to find deeper parts of myself that keep me evolving positively. It’s a daily practice of remembering my why and letting whatever doesn’t serve me fall by the wayside.
What do you do to keep yourself grounded in between jobs?
Life is pretty boring over here. Nothing much happens in between projects, bar sorting and enjoying life you’ve missed and taking the bins out. Always important to remember that nothing has paused while you’ve been underground. The world doesn’t revolve around you.
Dress: Maison Rabih Kayrouz, Jewellery: Lashana’s own
In your upcoming project, The Day of the Jackal, you play a detective leading a manhunt against a renowned assassin. What attracted you to this role?
I wanted to tell a story that dismantles the “strong black woman” trope by unraveling what it takes to maintain that strength. By coming onboard as co-executive, I was determined to make her life and the complications around it realistic and exciting.
What are three words you’d use to describe your character, Bianca, in The Day of the Jackal?
Obsessive, powerful, flawed.
Coat: Patrick McDowell, Jewellery: Lashana’s own
Coat: Louis Vuitton, Jewellery: Lashana’s own
A superhero, a warrior, a spy, and now a detective! What has it been like starring in so many action roles? Is there something about it that keeps drawing you back in?
I love pushing my body beyond its boundaries when I’m confident that I’m capable. Though capable doesn’t dismiss the physical and emotional fatigue. I said that I’d give my body a break and then Bianca came along to pull me back in. Guess that means it’s here to stay.
Has your previous experience in action roles aided you in your portrayal of Bianca in The Day of the Jackal?
Absolutely. My body’s muscle memory is extremely strong and ready. My Bianca stunts aren’tas taxing as my previous roles, so the muscle memory actually got to have a little break this time round.
Top: Zimmerman, Jewellery: Lashana’s own
This is your first television role in a while! What do you think is the biggest difference between shooting for television and shooting for a film, if any?
It’s a much longer shoot with much more to track. My exec brain maneuvered around much of what would help anchor the audience for 10 hours when it pertained to the pace and gear shifts of the show. It helped to think of each episode as four mini films, helping me lend my film experience to this space without constantly feeling the stark differences.
Without any spoilers–of course–what aspect of The Day of the Jackal do you think will surprise audiences the most?
Between the acting, the twists, the prosthetic work and the tough home life struggles, namely with how relatable Bianca’s work life balance is, I think audiences will receive the right level of stress, fear and fascination from each character’s journey. The show comes in hard quite quickly
and doesn’t give you a choice but to lean in and choose who you stand with each episode.
Dress: Maison Rabih Kayrouz, Boots: Louboutin, Jewellery: Lashana’s own