When Marisa Abela took on the role of Yasmin, a troubled heir to a financial empire, she was still in drama school. Now, she’s become the standout star of the BBC/HBO series that delves deep into the competitive finance world. At 28, she’s already made waves, portraying Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s upcoming biopic and earning a BAFTA Rising Star nomination. Recently, she’s also caught the attention of director Stephen Soderbergh for her role in the thriller “Black Bag.” As we chat, she’s at PRE waiting for a delayed train from London to Cardiff, but she exudes warmth and smiles, especially as she’s currently filming the fourth season of her show.
What was your reaction to your BAFTA nomination?
It felt completely surreal. While we’re busy filming, I noticed a bunch of missed calls from my agent. When I finally stepped out of the trailer and arrived on set, the entire crew was there, cheering for me.
How do you feel about the scene between Yasmin and her father at the end of season 3?
I can’t really judge her choices morally. What’s important for me is to understand her motivations and the way her father embodies the narcissism of her upbringing. Adam Levy did a phenomenal job portraying Charles’ meanness.
Are you leaving the show?
We all started this journey together, and we’ve become like family. I really respect Mickey and Conrad’s direction and choices for the show. This season feels fresh in a thrilling way. Season 3 showed characters spreading their wings, and I believe that’s even truer for Season 4. It retains that familiar industry feel, yet it also explores the origins of a truly outrageous villain.
Do you share any similarities with Yasmin?
Yasmin’s sense of humor is probably where I connect with her the most. She’s unafraid to poke fun at herself and others, and her dry wit is something I admire. Thankfully, I’m not as cold or complicated as she is—I think I have a bit more vulnerability.
Given the nudity in the series, did you have an intimacy coordinator on set?
We always had an intimacy coordinator. I’ve seen plenty of complaints about that, which I find somewhat lazy. I started filming for the show at 22, and when it comes to consent, the risks and rewards are pretty clear, especially considering the challenges in the acting world.
You portrayed Amy Winehouse in “Back to Black.” How did you handle that? What pressures did you face?
As an actor, my role was to drown out the external noise and connect with the person behind the legend. During that time, I was off my phone and social media. I was aware of the discussions happening and the paparazzi lurking, which added pressure. It felt like diving into the deep end without knowing what was beneath.
What are your thoughts on the current TV industry landscape?
It’s great because there are so many opportunities for actors now. But there’s also a downside—viewers sometimes don’t know what to check out. A show on a big streaming platform can easily get lost and get canceled if it’s not watched. For instance, if our show had been on a streaming service rather than a network like HBO, it likely wouldn’t have made it past the first season due to low viewership numbers.
Any guilty pleasure shows you watch?
Honestly, about 90% of what I watch is probably guilty pleasures. I have a soft spot for all the Real Housewives franchises—I just finished Beverly Hills. Not sure if that counts as guilty, but there you go!
The BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises will take place tomorrow at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
See this space…
The full lineup of BAFTA TV special releases over the weekend featured lead actors like David Tennant, Renee James, Monica Dolan, Billy Piper, Richard Gadd, Marisa Abela, and Sharon D-Clark.
Read more about the series.
