Jessica Henwick is having a very good run. The British-Singaporean actress has gone from action blockbusters to prestige television without missing a beat, picking up a BAFTA nomination along the way for a short film she wrote, directed and poured herself into. With Vladimir now turning heads, Character caught up with one of the industry’s most versatile and grounded talents to find out what drives her, what grounds her, and what she is dreaming of next.
Jacket & Skirt: GIADA @giada_montenapoleone Shoes: JONAK PARIS @jonak Sunglasses: SOJOS EYEWEAR @sojosvision
Lizzie Mansour: You have worked across so many genres, from action to thrillers to comedy. What excites you most about the roles you’re choosing right now?
Jessica Henwick: It’s so rare to be surprised by scripts these days, if a project can do that, then that’s already 90% of the battle for me.
Dress: GIADA @giada_montenapoleone Shoes: JONAK PARIS @jonak Sunglasses: SOJOS EYEWEAR @sojosvision
LM: You are currently starring in Vladimir. What drew you to Cynthia and her place in this very complex story?
JH: I was a huge fan of the book and loved the idea of working with the author, Julia, who was stepping into the role of showrunner for the first time. Supporting new voices is really important to me. Cynthia also felt like a fresh take on the “other woman” trope. There’s a line where she talks about wishing her husband would have an affair, and I found that psychology fascinating—it’s such an unexplored headspace.
LM: How would you describe the tone of Vladimir in three words?
JH: Sticky, funny, challenging.
Jacket & Skirt: GIADA @giada_montenapoleone Shoes: JONAK PARIS @jonak Sunglasses: SOJOS EYEWEAR @sojosvision
LM: You’ve been part of massive productions like The Matrix: Resurrections and Knives Out 2. How do you stay grounded creatively on such large-scale projects?
JH: It’s not something I consciously think about. I think you’re either someone who is grounded or not. I’m very close with my family, and they would absolutely call me out if anything ever went to my head.
Dress: VALERIAN HUGHES @valerianhughes Earrings: BURKINABAE @burkinabae Shoes: BRUNO MAGLI @brunomagliofficial
LM: You have had such a global career. Do you feel your perspective as a British-Singaporean artist shapes the stories you are drawn to?
JH: Definitely. Being between two cultures draws me toward stories about characters who exist in that in-between space, people who feel slightly out of place.
LM: You were the first East Asian actress to lead a British TV series with Spirit Warriors. Looking back, what does that milestone mean to you now?
JH: It feels quite surreal when I think about it. It sounds wild when you say it out loud, but it really wasn’t that long ago and it was a very different time in terms of representation. This was before Crazy Rich Asians shifted the landscape. I’m really glad things have evolved since then.
Sunglasses: SOJOS @sojosvision Dress: VALERIAN HUGHES @valerianhughes Earrings: BURKINA BAE @burkinabae
LM: As someone who acts, writes, and directs, how do those different creative roles influence each other?
JH: They’re all part of the same drive, I just want to tell stories. I would go a bit mad otherwise. Practically speaking, they complement each other so well. Writing has made me a better actor, acting has made me a better director, it all feeds into itself.
LM: Your short film Bus Girl earned you a BAFTA nomination. What inspired you to tell that story?
JH: I actually wrote it very quickly, without overthinking it. Looking back, I can see how much of my own experience made its way into it. There are interesting parallels between the food and film industries, both are about creating an experience. People walk into a space knowing it’s constructed, and behind the scenes there’s this intense, almost chaotic process making it all happen. It’s all storytelling.
Jacket: WEISHENG PARIS X ANTON HEUNIS @weishengparis X @antonheunis Pants: MIZAN by @nazranaanj x @styledbyambika Shoes: JONAK PARIS @jonak
LM: What is something about directing that surprised you?
JH: How little actors actually know about what’s happening on set.
LM: When you’re not on set, what does a perfect day off look like for you?
JH: Spending time with my family, ideally outdoors somewhere green. A bit of exercise, a good book, and just feeling present and connected.
Suit: SAINT LAURENT @ysl Shoes: JONAK PARIS @jonak Necklace & Rings: CYBELE BERTIN @cybelebertin
LM: Is there a role or genre you haven’t explored yet that you’d love to try next?
JH: Period dramas and romance. That’s the dream!
Dress: MAISON OLIVA PARIS @maisonolivaparis Jewelry: CYBELE BERTIN @cybelebertin
LM: What is a piece of advice you’ve received in your career that has really stuck with you?
JH: Don’t eat the tilapia on set.
LM: If you could describe this current chapter of your career in one sentence, what would it be?
JH: Getting back to basics, what matters to me, what I want in my life, and what truly makes me happy. Everything else is just noise.
Jessica Henwick @jhenwick
Photography: Christopher Parsons @parsons
Styling: Peiwen Wang @p3iwenwang
Make Up: Kelly Zhang @kellyzhangagency
Hair: Maciel Anyssa @stylebymaciel
Assistant Photography: Justin Ward @jward.18mm
Assistant Styling: Syuan Huang @loraismexx
PR: Maria Candida + Sarah Workman @imprintpr
Production + Location:Maison Privée @maisonpriveepr_la + Bello Media Group @bellomediagroup
