At just 15, Rhianna Dorris is one of the acting world’s rising stars of 2019. She has already taken the theatre by storm with appearances in Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bugsy Malone. Now she is making her on screen debut as Kaye in King Arthur-inspired British film, The Kid Who Would Be King. Pride spoke to Rhianna about her natural hair, her dream co-star and making the transition from the stage to the screen.
Hi Rhianna! So, your character Kaye is a bit of a bully – what was it like playing that role?
Rhianna Dorris: It was great! Kaye is a fiery, tough and strong character but as the film goes on you see this emotional development; she becomes a more softer, caring and sensitive character. For me as the actress, I have the best of both worlds within one character. To be so mean, cruel and spiteful and then become so soft and good was brilliant.
There was a lot of running and even a scene where you were knee high in water – it’s really physical. What was it like preparing for this movie?
RD: Before we started shooting we had a two-month period of training, horse riding, stunt training and definitely fitness. We would be in plank, or doing circuit training to get the stamina and the strength up. We weren’t really used to that much running at all: you do P.E in school but that was intense and so fun. Now we can walk away with skills sets such as horse riding – I’ll never forget how to horse ride now.
In the movie we see your character “Kaye’ go through character development, from being a fierce bully to becoming Lady Kaye. Do you think this was an important development for the movie?
RD: Absolutely – I feel like it highlights Joe’s (Cornish, writer and director) underlying message in the film, which is people can change for the better. Don’t be so set in stone with your path in life. Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye thought they would just be these low life bullies, stealing kids money and belongings but they developed. I feel like that changed for the better, which is really important especially now in our society.
Young Merlin has some special powers, one being the ability to make anyone obey him. If you had a special power what would it be?
RD: The power to teleport would be very cool and very useful, I would never have to walk or run anywhere. I would just have to teleport and I’m there. I could even teleport to Hawaii and stay there for a while.
What was it like working alongside some legendary actors such as Sir Patrick Stewart and Rebecca Ferguson?
RD: I wasn’t lucky enough to work with Rebecca that much, mostly because Morgana (Rebecca’s character) is a lot of CGI but the first time I met her was crazy but she’s lovely and really nice. Working with Sir Patrick Stewart as an X-Men fan I had to pinch myself on set, but he’s so sweet, so wise and he never made us feel anything less professional and it was really inspiring.
You had your natural hair in a variety of styles for the movie, which was lovely to see. Was this as possible in your previous roles, on stage?
RD: Matilda The Musical was all natural hair. When I did Charlie and the Chocolate and Bugsy Malone,there were headpieces and wigs but I think it’s important you never lose sight of what you have. I knew in my head that I was wearing this [wig] but I have hair underneath and I’m proud of my hair. I’m so grateful my artist Sharon Martin worked very close with the director of the film – they really wanted to see the progression of Kaye’s hair which starts off really sleek and then as the film goes on it becomes tough, coarse and afro.
How did you first get into acting?
RD: Honestly, I’ve always been more of a dancer and a singer, but my agents felt it was time to step more into acting. I’ve just never really seen myself in it because I never thought it was possible but I think this film especially with the diversity of the casting Joe Cornish made it possible for me to have this opportunity. I’m proud of myself and proud to be representing because I am mixed race – my mum is Indian and my dad is Black. Even though I am darker than some mixed race girls, it’s nice to hear that I’m inspiring Black women.
Who would be your dream co-star?
RD: Viola Davis – she is my absolute idol. I think she’s amazing and I’ll have to step up my game for sure. To work with her would be crazy. I watched Fences and saw her in Suicide Squad, and the contrast between the two characters was like Kaye. She had a strong character in Suicide Squad and that emotional scene with Denzel in Fences…this woman is on a different level of acting.
What advice do you have for young Black girls who want to join the film industry?
RD: You need to stay true to yourself, and not forget who you are. I’ve been to auditions where they’ve told me no because they don’t want a mixed race girl, or they’ll tell me I’m not the right shade. You get all types of things but you cannot give up, if I gave up on this career every single time I got knocked back, I would not get anywhere. Perseverance is so important in this industry; especially for Black people this industry is so tough. You have to keep going, for me I would’ve never imagined, The Kid Would Be King andwhat it is right now, doing this interview or representing my people in this industry. It absolutely incredible but yes, you have to keep going.
The Kid Who Would Be King is in cinemas now
