Noma Dumezweni

I've always been curious about the other worlds we can shift into in our imaginations.

To acknowledge the beginnings of people is a beautiful thing.

For me, you could say my big West End debut was 'Cursed Child,' but I'm in my 40s, and it's like, 'When is that beginning?'

I have been that actor who's watched peers and thought, 'God, they're doing well. I'll never get there.'

I did fringe theatre for so many years, and then I got my first play at the RSC, which was an amazing feeling, but I was 30 and had started acting in my early twenties.

It's hard; this business of acting is hard.

My mum's a single mum, I'm a single mum, and you do find yourself rushing around just to make sure everything's all right.

In your 20s and 30s, everything is possible. But then, sooner than you think, men walk past you in the street and don't look twice at you unless you're wearing a fabulous outfit.

If I think even a week ahead, I get terrified. My big thing is trying to enjoy the moment as much as I can.

Whoever we are, we have to carve something out of our lives. I would like to be on my deathbed going, 'I've enjoyed that. I went through the rollercoaster of it, but I've appreciated it.'

I am so passionate about representation because, growing up, I didn't see myself, and now people can say, 'I see myself there.' We're all trying to find where we are.

However popular you are, you still feel like an outsider.

The weight of expectation is huge. But for me, that pressure has been outweighed by getting text messages from mums I know saying how huge it is for their mixed-race daughters that I am playing Hermione.

Stop worrying what other people think.

I remember, being young is a scary, wonderful feeling.

I am so lucky I get to work with amazing, amazing people.

I wasn't very academic at school, but the Wolsey Youth Theatre was the saving of me.

I'm working with theatre-makers who are the top of their game, and it's extraordinary.

We're storytellers - and if the story is told well, you go with the form.

There are so many directors, young and old, around - all doing their thing and struggling.

I don't do the victim mode. I don't do blame. I can't bear that.

I now realise I'm a great actor.

I'm a great company actor, a great supporting actor. I serve the piece.

I am a black woman who has been given this character called Hermione to play on the stage. But actually, we've all grown up with the books, with Emma Watson playing her in the films. Imagery is so strong.

I am very blessed to have this experience of being a parent, but do not negate me from this industry because I am a parent.