Naomi Ackie, the talented British actress, has been making waves in the film industry with her recent roles in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ and ‘Blink Twice‘. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ackie shares her journey to stardom and her experiences working on these high-profile projects.

From ‘Star Wars‘ to ‘Blink Twice‘

Ackie’s rise to fame began when she was cast as Jannah in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’, the final installment of the Skywalker saga. The film, directed by J.J. Abrams, marked Ackie’s first major role in a Hollywood production. Speaking about her experience working on the film, Ackie said, ‘It was an incredible experience. I was working with such talented people, and it was a real learning curve for me.’ She also praised the film’s director, stating, ‘J.J. is a genius. He knows exactly what he wants, and he’s very clear about it.’

Following her success in ‘Star Wars‘, Ackie was cast in ‘Blink Twice‘, a romantic drama directed by Doug Liman. The film, which also stars Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum, tells the story of two strangers who meet on a plane and form a connection that changes their lives forever. Ackie spoke highly of her co-stars, saying, ‘Zoe and Channing are both incredibly talented actors. We had a great dynamic on set, and I think that really translates onto the screen.’

Ackie’s Journey to Stardom

Ackie’s journey to stardom began at a young age when she started acting in school plays. She later attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she graduated with a degree in acting. After graduating, Ackie began her career in television, appearing in shows such as ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Five’. Her breakthrough role came when she was cast as Bonnie in Steve McQueen‘s ‘Small Axe‘, a series of five films that explore the experiences of Black people in Britain from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Ackie’s performance in ‘Small Axe‘ earned her critical acclaim and recognition within the film industry. She was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2021 British Independent Film Awards. Speaking about her experience working on ‘Small Axe‘, Ackie said, ‘It was a challenging but rewarding experience. Steve McQueen is a genius, and I learned so much from him.’

Future Projects

Ackie is set to appear in several upcoming projects, including ‘The Score‘, a British crime drama directed by Malachi Smythe, and ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody‘, a biographical drama about the life of Whitney Houston. Ackie will star as Houston in the film, which is directed by Kasi Lemmons and produced by Clive Davis and Primary Wave. Speaking about her role as Houston, Ackie said, ‘It’s a huge responsibility, but I’m excited to bring her story to life.’

Ackie also expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she has been given, stating, ‘I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work on such amazing projects. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.’

Conclusion

Naomi Ackie‘s rise to stardom is a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft. From her early beginnings in school plays to her recent roles in ‘Star Wars‘ and ‘Blink Twice‘, Ackie has proven herself to be a talented and versatile actress. With several upcoming projects in the pipeline, it’s clear that Ackie’s career is on the rise, and we can expect to see much more of her in the future.