In 2015, when I won the Lincoln Breakthrough of the Year award at Essence magazine’s Black Women in Hollywood event, I asked David to present it to me. I had no idea he was going to do this, but he invited his daughter, Zoe, who was 3 at the time, onstage with him. It brought me to tears. I saw my younger self in her, and it really inspired me to think about making career choices as a woman of color and a biracial woman in film and television. Zoe is going to grow up seeing herself represented. I remember thanking David for that moment because it’s given me a different sense of purpose in my work. Now I have to be good enough for Zoe.
At top left, from left: AML AMEEN wears a Zara sweater, $36, and pants, $40, zara.com; Omega watch, price on request, omegawatches.com; and his own jacket, necklace and bracelet. CYNTHIA ERIVO wears a Prada dress, $1,990, prada.com; and her own jewelry. CHIKÉ OKONKWO wears an Essentials by Fear of God top, $70, and pants, $90, fearofgod.com. At top right, from left: DAVID OYELOWO wears a Dunhill shirt, $295, and pants, $695, dunhill.com; Mallet shoes, around $245, mallet.com; and his own hat. MALACHI KIRBY wears a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello shirt, $1,090, and necklace, $375, ysl.com; Emporio Armani pants, $275, armani.com; and Dior Men shoes, $1,050, dior.com. GUGU MBATHA‐RAW wears her own clothing and jewelry.
Interviews have been edited and condensed. Los Angeles: Production: Rhianna Rule. Set design: BG Porter at Owl and the Elephant. On-set hair: Michael David Warren at the Wall Group. On-set makeup: Joanna Simkin at the Wall Group. Photo assistants: Byron Nickleberry, Colin Jacob. Production assistant: Donovan Novotny. Photographed at the Glen Lukens House, Los Angeles, part of the BoutiqueHomes Collection. London: Production: theArcade. Set design: Ibby Njoya at the Magnet Agency. On-set hair and makeup: Maarit Niemela using Amika and Sukin at Bryant Artists. Photo assistant: Laura Heckford. Set assistant: Axel Drury