Lashana Lynch Covers AMAZING Magazine | Issue 4

Lashana Lynch is gearing up for what is perhaps the biggest role of her career so far: playing Rita Marley in musical biopic Bob Marley: One Love. For her, it’s all about the culture, as she represents her Jamaican roots both on-screen and off.

“My culture is incredibly important to me,” says British-Jamaican actor Lashana Lynch, who stars as Rita Marley in upcoming musical biopic Bob Marley: One Love. “I’d say most people who have come across me as a person or as an artist know that I lead with my culture. And anytime I get to link my work with my culture, I do it.”

 

Lynch is a shining example of practising what she preaches: aside from playing Cuban-born Jamaican singer songwriter Rita, founding member of the Soulettes and widow of reggae legend Bob, she was also able to honour her Jamaican heritage in 2021’s No Time To Die. The 25th James Bond film saw Lynch star alongside Daniel Craig’s Bond as secret agent Nomi, the first Black 007, a history-making role. As fans of the series will know, Bond author Ian Fleming wrote all his spy novels from his Goldeneye estate on Oracabessa Bay, on Jamaica’s northern coast. Jamaica has also served as a filming location for several Bond movies.

 

“When it comes around more than once in your lifetime, because I know a lot of people don't get to link the two, I go full throttle with it. I just allow it to speak,” says Lynch. “I give thanks to my family and I really try to involve them. My parents, especially, and their stories about coming to London from Jamaica. It’s a blessing to be able to create harmony between the two and for me to have the opportunities to discuss it through my work. It also reminds the world – especially in this time of the actors’ strike - that artists come with their own history that helps them to dive further into their work. Without that, sometimes you can struggle. Being able to explore more of my Jamaican culture meant that I didn't struggle. It was just there spiritually and emotionally.” 

For Lashana's full interview and shoot, order your copy of AMAZING issue 4 now. Bob Marley: One Love is in cinemas on 14 February 2024.