Lashana Lynch first shot into the limelight when she starred as the first female 007 in 2021’s No Time to Die alongside Daniel Craig. Her hard work and dedication won her BAFTA Rising Star Award the following year and since then the 36-year-old actress has been making giant strides in her career.
The latest addition is playing the role of Rita Marley in the much-publicized biopic Bob Marley: One Love. Lynch, known for her roles in Marvel films and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, has risen from a humble background, facing tough choices like deciding between “buying eggs, or putting money on my Oyster card.”
Despite hardships, she has drawn inspiration from it to forge a successful career. Raised in Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush, west London, she once told The Guardian how her modest upbringing influenced her strong work ethic.
She recounted that, at a young age she discovered her voice and it became a safe zone during the difficult times in her career journey.
“You want to just keep going. I especially do, being from a working-class background. You want to just, go-go-go. You don’t wanna miss out on anything, you don’t want to let anyone down,” she said.
Since her debut in the 2011 drama “Fast Girls,” the actress has starred in various TV shows including “Silent Witness,” “Death In Paradise,” and the short-lived BBC series “Crims.”
She portrayed Rosaline Capulet in the American period drama “Still Star-Crossed”, set after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Recalling her journey, she said she landed the role of Rosaline while working as an NHS receptionist.
She recounted how she struggled to pay her rent or put funds on her credit card. According to her, at some point, she was drowned in her overdraft, as she cashed in her “pay per day” for groceries.
“You’ve gotta decide: am I buying eggs, or putting money on my Oyster card? And I had to make that decision many a time,” she said.
Lynch attributed her ability to swiftly find solutions to challenges that confront her to her working-class upbringing. The British-Jamaican actress indicated that she has observed how rejection has fueled the determination of persons at the rock bottom of life and led to successful projects, sending a powerful message to decision-makers.
Recounting her affinity for Bob Marley and his music, Lynch expressed gratitude for her role as Rita Marley in the biopic “Bob Marley: One Love,” a project she never anticipated.
Drawing inspiration from her upbringing, where she listened to Bob Marley while doing chores, she indicated that she feels honored to be a part of the film.
The film, which was released on February 14, featured stars like Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley. One Love’s new trailer was released in December which gave viewers a sneak peek into what to anticipate from the highly anticipated biopic.
The full trailer for the biopic depicts Bob Marley’s journey to fame in Jamaica as a reggae icon with his band, the Wailers. It also provides insight into the 1976 shooting incident at his home and his powerful performance at a Jamaican peace concert thereafter.
“No guns can stop this message,” Ben-Adir Marley said in the clip, over the iconic song Three Little Birds.
“Bob Marley: One Love” also pays tribute to the legendary musician and his enduring legacy of spreading love and unity through music.
The film delves into Bob Marley’s journey, walking viewers through his ability to overcome challenges and his revolutionary impact on music.
He died from cancer at the age of 36 in 1981.
