When you need to get out of town/ out of routine, where do you go or what do you do to escape?

Living by the sea means that I can go down to the beach on my lunch break, but I love going further along the coast on my days off where it feels a bit wilder. I also love the South Downs and feel a huge attachment to them, and am constantly inspired by the landscape and its history. Visiting art galleries, exhibitions and museums is something I find very reinvigorating, too, and come away from them feeling full and creatively nourished.

How do you like to spend your nights and or/weekends?

I am a massive homebody, so making dinner and having a good series to watch is my idea of heaven. I’ve also got back into knitting over the past few months, so I will knit whilst watching tv to avoid second screening and the inevitable doomscroll! 

On the weekends I love getting out for a walk either to the coast or countryside, but I also really enjoy a good scour of the charity shops! There are lots of excellent ones where I live, and get a real thrill from finding something exciting; whether it’s a book I’ve wanted to read for a while, a bookshelf to store said books, or some handmade ceramics. Part of the joy is in the searching.

How do you unwind, re-centre and find balance?

I am a huge advocate of the restorative benefits of reading, and try to read at least every night before going to sleep. Getting lost in a book helps to quieten my very chatty mind! I also love beachcombing as it forces you to walk slowly and with intention, looking at the ground with more attention than you would do normally. 

I am scarily aware how much time I spend on my phone, so at the end of last year I made sure to counter the anxiety that comes with having the world’s news at your fingertips by doing more with my hands so that I simply couldn’t be on my phone. Part of this involved buying a secondhand guitar, which has been so rewarding to get back into, and there is something really satisfying in learning to play my favourite songs. In the same vein, I’ve got back into making for the sake of making, like beaded jewellery, keyrings and knitting - re-connecting to the things that lit me up when I was little has been a bit of an eye opener.

What is your favourite form of movement?

Exercise has been crucial over the past few years for both my mind and my body as it immediately gets me out of my head and helps me to physically move through things. I used to think that HIIT and running were the best things for me, but leaning into slower practices like yoga and pilates has been transformative.

Your favourite meal to cook?

One recipe I turn to again and again is Rachel Roddy’s broccoli ripassati with pasta.

Your favourite place to get dinner?

I love Koya in Soho for the best ramen.

Your guilty pleasure? :)

I’m currently rewatching Gilmore Girls which is more of a pleasure than anything else!

Do you experience any challenges in your work/life balance? If so, how do you navigate this?

As an actor you are constantly met with challenges around employment uncertainty, rejection and self-doubt, and it’s hard not to let those things define you. The past year in particular I’ve really come up against the idea of my job being my identity, and what happens when this is called into question in some way, which at times has been incredibly confronting. It’s a huge learning process, and after almost 10 years in the industry is something I’m still working out, but realising that I am a whole person regardless of my employment status and looking after that person has been the first step. It sounds basic, but doing things for the sake of seeking joy, and not putting off those potential moments of joy has really helped to form some semblance of balance. Eating well, getting enough sleep, seeing people I love and getting fresh air are simple but often the most beneficial!

What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?

I find a lot of inspiration from books and literary figures, and try to write down quotes I love from writers, poets and other creatives to return to. I find inspiration in poems, song lyrics and in films and tv, particularly artists and creatives such as Self Esteem, Eva Victor and Jessie Buckley to name but a few. A good play will be a source of inspiration for weeks or months on end! I love art books, and will devour anything about the Bloomsbury Group, as well as artists like Hilma af Klint, Louise Bourgeois and Tove Jansson. I also love Pinterest, particularly for creative projects, and Substack for some of the best and most accessible writing.