Advertisement

Exclusive: The Undoing's Noma Dumezweni on playing a Black lawyer

Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for WarnerMedia
Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for WarnerMedia

From Digital Spy

Noma Dumezweni has opened up about the opportunity to portray a Black lawyer in HBO's dark new miniseries The Undoing.

Mixing it with screen heavyweights such as Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherland, the 51-year-old actress dominates scenes with her powerful delivery as Haley Fitzgerald.

During a recent interview with Digital Spy, she opened up about the significance of her character.

Photo credit: HBO
Photo credit: HBO

Related: The Undoing's Hugh Grant explains why he kept his British accent

"Hayley is in a different world. Literally you've got a Black woman playing Hayley and it could have gone to any actor, so I'm very grateful as an actor for getting the part," she began.

"And then by having me as a Black woman, you add other layers to it. But that's why I love you saying expensive [referencing one of our comments] because you know that law firm isn't cheap.

"So there's something for me as an actor looking at Hayley's character going, 'How did she get there?' Because that world is absolutely possible," continued Noma.

Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for WarnerMedia
Photo credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for WarnerMedia

Related: The Undoing's Hugh Grant reveals most difficult part of show

"But let's think about where we are now, to where we were last year. It's a totally different world, and how we look at the world through broadened and veil-lifted eyes."

The star, whose credits include Normal People and Mary Poppins Returns, went on to highlight representation.

"In this day and age, we have to see possibilities. And that's why we all teach our children – it's that thing of: 'if you can't see yourself in the world, you don't know what's possible'".

The Undoing airs on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK. You can also catch up on the show via Sky Go and NOW TV.


Digital Spy has launched its first-ever digital magazine with exclusive features, interviews, and videos. Access the latest edition with a 1-month free trial, only on Apple News+.

Interested in Digital Spy's weekly newsletter? Sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox – and don't forget to join our Watch This Facebook Group for daily TV recommendations and discussions with other readers.

You Might Also Like