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<\/p>\nHome is\u2026<\/p>\n
I grew up off the All Saints Road in Ladbroke Grove in the 1990s. The vibrancy of Portobello influenced a lot of who I am today. I live across town now, in Spitalfields. There\u2019s a similar feeling of life happening all around us. London is always evolving, but still grounded in history. It\u2019s a city that\u2019s never \u201cfinished\u201d. Just like us.<\/p>\n
Where was your first flat in London?<\/p>\n
I was in a flat-share in Old Street when I was studying at Guildhall. My bedroom window overlooked William Blake\u2019s grave. But the first flat I owned and lived in by myself was the size of a cupboard in Primrose Hill. It was daunting learning how to be an adult in those four walls.<\/p>\n
What was your first job?<\/p>\n
As a kid I\u2019d get a tenner helping at a stall in Portobello market on Saturdays. Then I turned 16 and worked at Gap on High Street Kensington. I became pretty efficient at folding and stacking T-shirts. I was never promoted to the cash register though. I was deflated about that. It looked so grown-up.<\/p>\n
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Hayley Atwell (Jed Cullen\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Where would you recommend for a first date?<\/p>\n
Go south over Tower Bridge and walk down the South Bank on a summer\u2019s eve. The views are spectacular; the city really shows itself off. And I think people tend to share more about themselves when they\u2019re walking side by side.<\/p>\n
Which shops do you rely on?<\/p>\n
Chi\u2019s Nails in Covent Garden, Townhouse at 5 Fournier Street in Spitalfields and the various vendors in Ridley Road for cooking produce and flavourful condiments.<\/p>\n
Do you have anywhere you go for beauty procedures?<\/p>\n
I like Keren Bartov in Kensington Park Road for her lasers. I go to Rebase in Marylebone for cold plunges and infrared saunas<\/a>, which help me recover from stunt training. I use the LYMA Laser Pro at home. All these lasers \u2026 it\u2019s reminding me of Quasar in Queensway \u2026 who else remembers that place?<\/p>\n Where do you let your hair down?<\/p>\n I have no embarrassment at all in telling you that I love escape rooms. I\u2019ve dragged so many people into them with me; Marvel stars, theatre legends, action heroes\u2026 my mum\u2019s dog even came to one. If you were to work with me, you would not escape my love of escape rooms.<\/p>\n Who do you call when you want to have fun?<\/p>\n I have my regular band of merry-makers that come over for dinners, films and game nights. In my line of work, I\u2019m fortunate to always be making new friends. From the moment<\/p>\n I started working with Mason Alexander Park on Much Ado<\/a>, I knew we were kindred spirits and we\u2019ve had a lot of laughs this year. Felicity Blunt and her husband Stanley [Tucci] (who\u2019s an excellent cook, as it happens) are the best hosts in town and wonderful to be around. When I first met Felicity 20 years ago, I slipped and went flying into some Soho rubbish bins. We\u2019ve been friends ever since.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the best meal you\u2019ve had?<\/p>\n
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