Tamara Lawrance’s work as an actor is steeped in introspection and intentionality. She’s built an impressive catalogue of profoundly affecting roles across both stage and screen, through projects such as the BBC series Time and the film The Silent Twins. Lawrance is brightly pensive, with an empathetic nature and a discerning sense of craft that makes her lead role in HBO and Channel 4 production Get Millie Black feel like an inevitable success. The Jamaican noir series sees her further her exploration of complex characters by playing Millie-Jean Black, an ex-Scotland Yard detective whose return to Jamaica to work on a missing person’s case unearths deeper complications. In this interview with Sean McKoy, Tamara Lawrance discusses the intricacies of this series, her artistic approach and her hopes of a more inclusive industry.
Congratulations on the huge success of Get Millie Black!
Thanks so much for having me and for the fun shoot day, I had a great time!
You play the lead character Millie in the critically acclaimed show Get Millie Black. Tell us how your Jamaican heritage informed your experience of shooting the series and your performance.
My relationship to my heritage leant itself to Millie’s storyline quite well, in that I share some lived experiences with the character. Millie and I both have a dual-identity and connection to two places, but don’t necessarily feel 100% at home in either. Despite that, Millie, as do I, tries to cultivate her own sense of home by leaning into family and chosen family. Through growing up amidst the strong Jamaican presence in North-West London, I gained a sense of Jamaica through the food, music, mannerisms, idioms, poeticism, superstition, boldness and sense of humour of the community I encountered. This meant that there was a familiarity – though not exhaustive – that I felt whilst filming there, despite not being on the land since I was a toddler. I found myself missing Jamaica as soon as I landed, as in, I thought often about how different some aspects of my life might’ve been had I experienced more time back home; a sentiment I imagine Millie would’ve shared.
What are the similarities and differences between yourself and the character Millie?
I’d say Millie and I both get quite riled up when we witness or suspect injustice! We’re both anti-‘Babylon’ and rooted in our blackness. At times impulsive, which on a good day means being in tune with instinct in a healthy way, but at other times has resulted in recklessness. Both of us are deeply driven by family and have eldest-daughter syndrome; ‘it’s my duty to fix everything.’ Where we differ is Millie is slightly more self-assured; we never see her diminish or doubt herself, which I hope to emulate someday! I’m probably a bit more introspective; we don’t see Millie reflect much on her actions or how they affect others, but that’s only because she is driven by her pursuit of a greater good. If we get a Season 2, Millie should do some therapy, lol, she goes through a lot.
Tracksuit and trainers: Adidas
T-Shirt: Arket
Earrings: Vintage
Necklace: Colaren
Jamaican noir as a genre is quite unexplored – is breaking new ground important to you?
Yes! One of the many things I love about the show is how many stories unfold across the episodes. Alongside the missing persons case there is an amazing ensemble of characters out of which emerges stories of childhood trauma, sisterhood and survivor’s guilt, of forbidden love and community despite hostility and violence, of colonial legacy and its insidious exploitation, of social mobility and the risks associated with freedom, and of age-old corruption. We see a huge spread of characters from different social strata that expose many truths, hopes and challenges that emerge from the island. There are countless other stories and genres that could be set here. Imagine a sci-fi in Negril, or a thriller in Portland!
Having grown up in Jamaica myself, I’m acutely aware that there are many untold stories from the island. Did you see this series as an opportunity to tell them?
Definitely! For me, a big part of growing as a creative is about being brave enough to explore outside of what is comfortable or typical. I wouldn’t be here talking to you if it weren’t for artists some time before me that decided to push parameters. I try to trust that something useful will come of any new exploration, even if it feels like it doesn’t quite work out. Fortunately, with Get Millie Black, we see that filming a genre piece in JA really does. Hopefully, unexpected narratives that centre on a local cast will continue to be filmed in Jamaica, as there is so much talent there.
Tracksuit and trainers: Adidas
T-Shirt: Arket
Earrings: Vintage
Necklace: Colaren
Your family are a big inspiration for you. How do they feel about this project?
My mum watched it in December (when it first launched on HBO) and was very invested; she loved all the characters and was really moved by Hibiscus’ storyline in particular. When it ended, she complained that 5 episodes wasn’t enough and has been impatiently waiting since to watch it all again on Channel 4!
Get Millie Black was a large on-location shoot. Where would be your dream location in which to film a project?
Oooo… I can’t choose…anywhere that connects me to scenic views, heat and a strong sense of culture.
Tracksuit and trainers: Adidas
Earrings: Vintage
Necklace: Colaren
You’ve been a creative person from a very young age. How much did the environment you grew up in influence that?
I spent a lot of my youth in church – shout out Sudbury Baptist Church – and Sunday school, ministry there always felt creative. We were encouraged to write, draw, sing, rap and play instruments, and performing in services or youth events always felt fun. There are a lot of other creatives in my family too, everyone has a strong affinity to musical expression, and many are also amazing illustrators.
You were a keen poet when you were younger. Is writing something you’d like to explore more?
Yes, I’ve been slowly getting back into poetry! It was the writing form that came most easily to me when I was younger, so I’ve missed it a lot. I can’t lie – I also miss essay writing and have been feeling inspired by my friends to make a Substack, but more recently I’m trying to prioritise screenwriting. I’m working on a slate of ideas and am cowriting a TV show with a good friend of mine, so we’ll see what happens!
String vest and hat: Uptown Yardie
Black vest: Hugo Dalilly
Jeans: Mango
Necklace: Kenivira
Earrings: Vintage
You’ve played some heavy roles during your career. How do you separate yourself from the characters you’re portraying?
In the character-building process, having objective research and creating anchors to the role, for example inventing something in their backstory or choosing a particular accent placement that feel very different from me, this (allows) me to feel less like I’m ‘playing myself’. Also just having a clear switch off after work helps with that separation, going home and cooking and calling a friend or doing something entirely unrelated to the project.
How do you hold on to the integrity and intentionality that have clearly driven you in your work so far?
When I graduated, I just told myself don’t be afraid to say no if it doesn’t feel right. I was living at home and fortunately wasn’t asked to contribute to rent, which would’ve impacted some choices. Don’t get me wrong, of course there have been times where I’ve regretted saying no, but there have also been chances that I took on myself that I’m grateful I did. As long as you have a clear set of principles on which you base any decision, you can always hold your head high and say you did what you thought was best at the time. The yeses have been equally important, leaning into characters and stories that I feel proud/excited to be a part of and to play, even if it’s a project that other people might turn their nose up at.
Hat, Shoes and Bag: Uptown Yardie
Gilet and trousers: Maya Burrowes
T-shirt: JJXX
Earrings: Dower and Hall
Bracelet: Colaren
Necklace: Kenivira
Rings: Ahkeke @BLACK PR
You’ve worked alongside many talented actors and directors. Is there someone you dream of collaborating with in the future?
Mati Diop has been squatting in my head ever since I saw Dahomey, her documentary about the return of the Benin Bronzes and the debate around the significance of this for the locals of Benin. She has this beautiful and fascinating way of not explicitly imposing her own lens in Dahomey, so that the story feels led by the artefacts themselves. A feature film of hers, Atlantics, was similarly haunting and evocative and is one I still think about frequently. Such important storytelling! I would love to work with her one day.
When you’re not acting, how do you like to spend your time?
Honestly, the number one thing I’m doing when I’m not at work is cleaning my flat, because a tidy home is a tidy mind! Otherwise, whenever I see sun and a blue sky I like to get outside for a walk, or when I can, go for longer stints of travel elsewhere. I also love to take in live performance in my free time, often plays, but mostly music gigs and festivals.
Hat, Shoes and Bag: Uptown Yardie
Gilet and trousers: Maya Burrowes
T-shirt: JJXX
Earrings: Dower and Hall
Bracelet: Colaren
Necklace: Kenivira
Is there a role or genre you’d love to explore that you haven’t yet?
Action! Apparently, my roundhouse kick is quite good so it would be nice to put it to use at some point.
What would you like to see change in the industry moving forward?
So many things! I would like to see more third space; more community hubs and theatre spaces that get the funding they deserve. More sustained investment and less lip service into career development for artists of global majority and disabled artists, particularly for people behind the scenes. I’d like to see access needs better considered at work for neurodivergent creatives; on set can be very overstimulating but there’s still always such an incessant schedule. Workplace culture could be much healthier for everyone if more conscious and inclusive rests and resources were factored in. I wish there was more transparency communication across the actor-agent-casting-producer pipeline; sometimes there is a lapse in our safety at work and no one is held accountable. It would be good if there was more transparency around certain discussions, and we need a physical location that people can go to with concerns. I would also like to see more intra-community collaboration and less dependency on gatekeepers to get work produced! Finally, I’d love to see more talent agencies that specifically cater to the needs of people with protected characteristics.
Hat, Shoes and Bag: Uptown Yardie
Gilet and trousers: Maya Burrowes
T-shirt: JJXX
Earrings: Dower and Hall
Bracelet: Colaren
Necklace: Kenivira
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in your career so far?
I know we’ve spoken a lot about creativity, but I’ve learnt that it is also important to be clued up on the business side of things; read the contract, read the policy, know your rights, clarify and express your needs, and be wise with your money. Also, I used to be of the mindset that you shouldn’t have a ‘plan B’ and in my innocent ignorance was quite belligerent about putting ‘all my eggs in one basket’. There are benefits to that mentality, but if I could go back, I would advise my younger self not to completely let go of their side interests. It is possible to be multidisciplinary and there are many advantages to having more than one string to your bow. Invest in what makes you feel most expansive and find creative ways to make your interests converge.
Get Millie Black is available to stream on Channel 4.
Follow Tamara on Instagram @tamara.lawrxnce
Team:
Photographer: Jacquetta Clark @jacquettaclark
Lighting Technician: Isabella Armora @howimwastingtime
Fashion Stylist/Editor/Creative Director: @charmainemckoystyle
Fashion Assistant: Charmain Billing @charmainbilling
Interview/Deputy Editor: Sean Mckoy @sean.amck
Videographer: Nana Opoku- Agyeman @official_solarflare
Cover design: Sofia De Vita @sofia.devita
Hair Stylist: Shamara Roper @shamara_roper
Make Up Artist: Saba Khan @thefacefairy
