INSIDE AMAKA OKAFOR’S JOURNEY FROM BIRMINGHAM TO NETFLIX’S “BLACK RABBIT”
British actress Amaka Okafor is quickly proving herself to be one of the UK’s rising stars. Born in Birmingham to a singer-songwriter father and raised between different cities after her parents’ separation, Okafor grew up surrounded by storytelling, music, and performance. She recalls her earliest sparks of inspiration vividly — being mesmerized by Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop at just eight years old, watching her father perform on stage, and experiencing live theatre at Birmingham’s The Drum, a space dedicated to Black artistry. These early encounters ignited her passion for acting, leading her from youth theatre to the screen, where her talent and versatility have been impossible to ignore.
Named one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow in 2023, Okafor has since been on a remarkable trajectory. She drew global acclaim in Netflix’s Bodies as Detective Shahara Hasan, a role that showcased both her intensity and emotional depth, before returning to the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama The Responder alongside Martin Freeman. She has also brought her charisma to the big screen in Greatest Days, the Take That musical film, further underscoring her ability to move seamlessly between genres.
Now, Okafor takes on her boldest role yet as Roxie in Netflix’s limited series Black Rabbit. Starring opposite Jason Bateman and Jude Law, the series dives into New York City’s high-pressure nightlife and restaurant scene, following the chaos that unfolds between two warring brothers. As Roxie, an ambitious chef with a clear vision and unstoppable drive, Okafor steps into a role that is equal parts vulnerable, powerful, and deeply human. It’s a performance that promises to leave a lasting impression in a series already being hailed as Succession meets The Bear.
In conversation with The Untitled Magazine, Amaka Okafor opens up about her childhood, her creative influences, the thrill of working alongside Bateman and Law, and the momentum of a career that is only just beginning to unfold.
Can you tell us a bit about where you grew up and how your childhood shaped your love for storytelling and performance? Was there a specific moment when you knew you wanted to pursue acting professionally?
I was born in Birmingham and did my first bit of growing up there but after my parents separated I moved around a lot. I went to loads of different schools and I think that’s where I learnt to read people and pick up on subtle messages from grown-ups and kids alike. My dad is a singer songwriter and I know watching him perform from such an early age has shaped me hugely. Also, watching Eddie Murphy in the first Beverly Hills Cop film when I was about eight was a shining moment and definitely told me acting was what I wanted to do.
What were your earliest experiences with theatre or film — were you always drawn to the stage, or did television and film come first?
My first experience of theatre was when I was very young. My dad took me to a theatre in Birmingham called The Drum that was specifically for the Black experience. It was a Nigerian dance troupe, and it was so cool. It was loud and live and exciting!! My mum then got me into a community youth theatre called Stage Two in Birmingham and I just couldn’t get enough. Film was a huge part of my life though. My dad is a big movie lover. Christmases with him consisted of drawing the curtains, getting a big tin of quality street, and watching the Star Wars trilogy back-to-back. The original one obvs.
Who were some of your early creative influences or role models that shaped the way you approach your craft today?
Whoopi Goldberg. She’s incredible. We had this old movie on VHS called Clara’s Heart. I used to watch it on repeat. I also used to watch Top of the Pops religiously every Friday night. I found the live performances so inspiring.
In Black Rabbit, you play Roxie, an ambitious chef carving out her space in New York’s cutthroat restaurant scene. What drew you to her story? Can you tell us more about your role in the series?
The writing and the team and the character herself drew me to this story. Roxie is such a brilliant mix of deep heart, hardworking ethic, clean morality but also messiness which is what makes her story so interesting. She’s ambitious but that takes over and leads to her overlooking people who are important to her….
The series has been described as Succession meets The Bear. How would you sum up the vibe of the show in your own words?
It’s one heck of a ride!! Once you get on, you don’t wanna get off. You also fall in love with the vulnerability of each character. I miss them now I’m done!
Roxie gets caught up in the world of the Friedken brothers. What was it like working with Jason Bateman and Jude Law?
Jason and Jude bring such class and a rich wealth of experience to this piece. It was so enriching working with them but for very different reasons….
Jason Bateman not only stars but also directs the opening episodes. How did his dual role as actor and director shape the experience for you?
I’ll never forget on my second day on set. Jason came up and whispered the most brilliant note in my ear, and I thought ‘OK, this is gonna be like school for me. I need to learn and absorb everything I possibly can.’ Jason gets to the heart and the point of the scene so quickly. He’s able to effortlessly cut the fat off a scene and he’s doing it all in the moment.
Jude Law brings such charisma and intensity to his performances. How did you find building that dynamic on screen with him?
I absolutely loved working with Jude. He is such a generous actor. He’s extremely present and doesn’t leave you hanging. I trust him deeply. Watching him work taught me a lot about how to let the camera take you in, how to be seen and not speed up your action for fear of it being boring.
Behind the scenes, what was the energy like on set? Any memorable moments working with the cast or filming in New York?
The summer we shot Black Rabbit was the best summer of my life so far. I’m a single mum so my daughter came out with me and went to a local Brooklyn school while we were there. I used to pick her up after school and we’d walk home through Prospect Park with an ice-cream or donut.
Did you dive into any culinary training to prepare for Roxie, or did you focus more on embodying her drive and creative vision as a chef?
Millicent Souris was instrumental with this. She taught me how to chop properly, how to cook a steak, how to be in a working kitchen, how to let my personality stay present. She took me out for dinner and we sat up at the bar so we could see into the kitchen and she could point out what head chef would be doing. More than anything else, she was always on hand to encourage, advise and just be her wonderful self. We still message all the time.
With regards to other notable roles – your performance as Shahara Hasan in Bodies was widely praised. What did you take away from that experience that’s stayed with you?
The was the best job of life at that point! I loved EVERY SECOND of it! I had never been on set every day like I was on that, so I got to really learn technicalities I hadn’t had the chance to before. I learnt more about certain shots and how to just relax in front of the camera.
Last year, you returned to The Responder alongside Martin Freeman. How has it felt to revisit that character in the second season?
Oh, it was great because my character had some really juicy stuff. It was a real departure from who we thought she was in season 1. Very fun to do!
From the intensity of Bodies to the feel-good energy of Greatest Days, your work spans very different genres. How do you keep challenging yourself with such a range of roles?
It sounds cheesy but I just love people. With each role, I want to get in touch with the heart of each character and represent them fully. Do them justice. The variety of work is so good for me as an artist. It keeps me growing.
You’ll also be seen soon in ITV’s Secret Service with Gemma Arterton. What can audiences expect from that project?
Secrets and massive plot twists! I think people are gonna love this one. It’s very true to what’s been going on in politics over the last couple of years, but it also feels fun and full of scandal.
Do you see yourself gravitating toward a particular type of role, or do you thrive on mixing it up between thrillers, dramas, and musicals?
Mixing it up is honestly joyous!
What’s one dream role or collaboration that’s still on your list?
I really want to do a movie now. I’d love to work on an indie film, in the middle of nowhere, where the landscape is as much a character as the people are.
And finally — when you’re not on set, how do you recharge and stay creatively inspired?
I will always find a little corner that no one else knows about and sit there alone whenever I need to recharge. I don’t take my phone to set as I feel it pulls me out of the world of the piece.
Photographer: David Reiss
Make-up: Dominique Desveaux
Hair: Deborah Lola
Styling: Sarah Harrison
Clothing credits: Full look, Simkhai Shoes, Guiseppe Zanotti
