Wunmi Mosaku, the Oscar-tipped actress behind Sinners, says she'd consider returning to her native UK, but only on her own terms. The 39-year-old Manchester-born star, who's currently in the midst of a whirlwind awards season push for her role as Annie, a Hoodoo priestess in Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller, has long had an affection for British culture.
During her time away in Los Angeles, Mosaku developed a taste for high-street bakeries like Greggs. She recalled that whenever she traveled to each UK city, there was something distinctively regional about the chain, such as the Tottenham cake in London or the Eccles cake in Manchester.
Growing up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Mosaku said her family struggled with financial constraints and had limited access to certain opportunities. She described her parents' experiences in a British context where social class often plays a significant role. Despite the challenges she faced as a young woman from an underprivileged background, Mosaku ultimately pursued acting at Rada after initially considering mathematics and economics.
Mosaku has spoken candidly about her upbringing in the north of England, where many Nigerians settle when moving to Britain for work or study. Her parents discouraged teaching their children the Yoruba language because it could cause them a "funny accent". This lack of fluency in Yoruba had an unintended consequence: Mosaku's connection with her heritage was severed.
In preparation for her role as Annie, she delved into Hoodoo and discovered a deep link to her Nigerian roots. Learning the language was like excavating a lost civilization; it was both exhilarating and overwhelming.
While her work is taking off, Mosaku remains sensitive to issues of cultural identity and belonging. She finds herself drawn to projects that celebrate diversity in the UK, and her enthusiasm for working with British creatives has led some to speculate that she may one day return to the country for future roles.
One thing, however, is certain: Mosaku is determined not to be pigeonholed as a "police officer" – another reference to the long-standing stereotype of black Britons playing authoritative figures on screen. She will choose projects based on artistic merit and her own personal values.
During her time away in Los Angeles, Mosaku developed a taste for high-street bakeries like Greggs. She recalled that whenever she traveled to each UK city, there was something distinctively regional about the chain, such as the Tottenham cake in London or the Eccles cake in Manchester.
Growing up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Mosaku said her family struggled with financial constraints and had limited access to certain opportunities. She described her parents' experiences in a British context where social class often plays a significant role. Despite the challenges she faced as a young woman from an underprivileged background, Mosaku ultimately pursued acting at Rada after initially considering mathematics and economics.
Mosaku has spoken candidly about her upbringing in the north of England, where many Nigerians settle when moving to Britain for work or study. Her parents discouraged teaching their children the Yoruba language because it could cause them a "funny accent". This lack of fluency in Yoruba had an unintended consequence: Mosaku's connection with her heritage was severed.
In preparation for her role as Annie, she delved into Hoodoo and discovered a deep link to her Nigerian roots. Learning the language was like excavating a lost civilization; it was both exhilarating and overwhelming.
While her work is taking off, Mosaku remains sensitive to issues of cultural identity and belonging. She finds herself drawn to projects that celebrate diversity in the UK, and her enthusiasm for working with British creatives has led some to speculate that she may one day return to the country for future roles.
One thing, however, is certain: Mosaku is determined not to be pigeonholed as a "police officer" – another reference to the long-standing stereotype of black Britons playing authoritative figures on screen. She will choose projects based on artistic merit and her own personal values.
. But what's really getting my goat is how Wunmi Mosaku's story keeps being tied to the 'overcoming obstacles' narrative. Like, sure, we get it, she grew up in poverty and her parents discouraged teaching her Yoruba language... but can't we just celebrate her for being a talented actress who happens to be Nigerian? 
It's like we're all just trying to read between the lines and figure out what she really wants. Can't we just let her have her own agency for once?
, first trying Greggs high street bakeries as proof of her Britishness lol... but seriously though, how interesting that she had to learn hoodoo and yoruba just to find herself 
. i'm not saying it's a bad thing, but it does highlight the complexities of identity and belonging when you're from an immigrant background like hers. anyway, can't wait to see what other projects she takes on next 
I think it's great that Wunmi Mosaku is thinking about her roots and cultural identity, especially considering her experiences growing up in a working-class family in the UK. It's interesting how she delves into Hoodoo for her role as Annie, which shows how she's connecting with her Nigerian heritage on her own terms 
. But at the same time, I wish more opportunities were available to her and others like her when they were younger. It's not right that social class and language barriers can limit someone's access to education and career paths 
, so passionate about reconnecting with her heritage & breaking stereotypes at the same time. I mean, who wouldn't want to indulge in a good ol' Greggs cake every now and then? But seriously, it's amazing how she's using her platform to celebrate diversity & promote more inclusive storytelling in the UK 
. And can we talk about how relatable it is that her connection with Yoruba was severed due to not speaking the language as a kid? It just goes to show how important cultural identity is, especially for people of colour 
. I'm rooting for Wunmi's potential return to the UK & seeing more projects that showcase British-Nigerian talent on screen 
And what's up with this obsession of hers for British bakeries? Is that just a cover or something? 
I mean, sure, she loves the culture and all, but there's gotta be more to it than that. 
She's not just talkin' about takin' back to the UK, she's makin' a statement about representation and authenticity too 
They should be focusin' on creatin' complex characters that reflect our diverse communities, not just stickin' to what they think is 'marketable'. Mosaku's doin' it right by choosin' projects based on artistic value and personal values, not just box office appeal 
That's the kinda shift we need in this industry.
! I love how she's open about her experiences with cultural identity and belonging, it's like she's giving us permission to explore our own roots 
. I'm totally with her on not wanting to be typecast - we need more actresses who can bring nuance and depth to their roles, not just the 'strong black woman' trope 
. And omg Greggs is my fave too!! have you tried the vegan sausage roll? 
. I love that she's not afraid to speak out against stereotypes and wants to work on projects that celebrate diversity in the UK. That takes guts 
. But, you know, I think it's also great that she's considering her own terms for potentially returning to the UK - we don't want anyone feeling pressured or limited by their options 
. Can't wait to see what projects she lands next!
. I think it's great that she's not afraid to speak about her struggles and how they've shaped who she is today 
! But seriously though, Mosaku's dedication to representing her heritage authentically is really admirable 
. She's got actual skills and wants to work on roles that are meaningful to her, like playing a character with Nigerian connections. It's great that she's not afraid to speak up about cultural identity and belonging, especially when it comes to those stereotypes we've all seen before. Like, who gets to decide what's "authentic" or "representative"? Not us, that's for sure 
I mean, have you seen Sinners? The woman is ON FIRE 
, and it's so cool to see her embracing her heritage and not being afraid to speak about it. And can we talk about how amazing it is that she grew up in the UK, struggled like everyone else, and still managed to slay in Hollywood? 
Either way, I'm hyped to see what she does next... maybe we'll even get a UK-set project? 