M: How do you find the subject and theme of escapism in your daily life? It must be different to watch the show from a different perspective from the inside. What are other ways that you do that you find peace?

J: My way is that I love to paint. I love to paint on giant canvases, like six-footers. For me, it's freeing. And sometimes, it's hard as a human to know what is inside. I've been trying not to verbalise things too much, but instead, I've been trying to learn how to expel these feelings and be active in the process. I love to paint, see what comes out, and always feel better. I've learned to let go because you can't control what you paint. You have to let go, and you have to go with the flow, let it change and develop, which has helped my acting. I realised I had to let go. Whatever someone else gives me, I have to be ready to give and give in. And it's the same as how the paint works. It’s better when I don’t try to control it too much and It's easier to let go with painting because I don't see it as something I'm that skilled at. I don’t see myself as a painter, so it relieves the need to make it good. Meanwhile, with acting, I'm like, okay, this is my job. I've got to be good at it. With painting, there are no expectations of myself or self-expectation. With my role in Bridgerton, they gave me the part and encouraged me to have free will. For me, it was essential not to try to control the work. I'm going to have fun give in and enjoy it.

M: There are so many people watching you as Cressida now. Do you find people look up to you in certain ways? I assume there is, but is there a pressure around that?

J: It's something I've been fortunate with in life. My parents have always been very good at encouraging me to stay in my lane by not paying too much attention to what other people think. It's more about being grateful for the interested people. Where I can provide something, I will. For example, my coming out post and talking about Pride is something I didn't see much of growing up, which made things a little harder for me to figure out in my life. Being able to do something that makes a real difference in inspiring others and giving confidence is something I'd like to be able to do. I feel a responsibility to share those parts of myself and be transparent if it can help.

M: Aside from Bridgerton, obviously, Season Three just ended. Is there anything exciting that we can see from you in the future?

J: Funny you asked that. I want to do a photography exhibition. Photography is my first love after acting, and I want to get that ball rolling and explore it more. I love doing that in my downtime. I want to explore opportunities and collaborate.

M: Is creativity a significant contributor to your mental health?

J: I depend heavily on being creative. I'm not great at things that have a structure or have a rule to it. My brain just doesn't compute. So art in all its forms calms me takes me out of thinking too much connects me to my emotions and allows me to express myself. I find it so healing and inspiring. Creativity is release and its joy.

M: We spoke about escapism and the idea of resting and taking that time out of a day to breathe and chill out. How do you make sure that you're not getting burnt out?

When I'm working, adrenaline gets me through. I have to monitor my adrenaline levels. I need to take it down a notch. But I'm very good at sitting still these days. I'm very good at being quiet and minimal, and I give myself permission to do that. You must ensure you have the energy to sustain the following week. It's listening to yourself; if you don't, you're doomed. Going for walks: I love to walk. Walking is my way of meditating.

M: What is your message to those who have fallen in love with you in Bridgerton and look at you as creative and open?

J: I love you guys. I hugely appreciate them noticing the work. I was allowed to go to a very cool, deep and different place with this character because she was written so beautifully thank you Jess Brownell for that. And Thank you to those who rooted for Cressida thank you for seeing her.

J: I depend heavily on being creative. I am still trying to figure out what I'd do without it. I can't do anything else. I'm not good at things that have a structure or have a rule to it. My brain just doesn't compute it at all. Things might have been different if I had known that there was a creative way for everything, especially in learning. I didn't have teachers who were creative in how they taught, so I failed to see the creativity in that. I see everything creatively. It’s the poetry of life, without it it’s very bleak.

M: We spoke about escapism and the idea of resting and taking that time out of a day to breathe and chill out. How do you make sure that you're not getting burnt out?

J: When I'm working, adrenaline gets me through. I have to monitor my adrenaline levels. I occasionally need to take it down a notch. But I'm very good at sitting still these days. I'm very good at being quiet and minimal, and I give myself permission to do that. You must ensure you have the energy to sustain the following week. It's listening to yourself; if you don't, you're doomed. Going for walks: I love to walk. Walking is my way of meditating.

M: What is your message to those who have fallen in love with you in Bridgerton and look at you as creative and open?

J: I love them. I hugely appreciate them noticing the work. I was at the wrap party the other night, and they said well done, you wrote to her. But it was a joint effort because I was allowed to go to a very different place with this character to get those different dimensions in. Thank you for seeing that. Humans are complex, and people aren't just one thing. There are many things and people who've had tough times or been cruel in some ways, and we still have to find grace when they try to do better.

Season 3 of Bridgerton is now streaming on Netflix

Words Mia Caven

Photography Betty Oxlade-Martin

Styling Lois Jenner

Hair & MUA Kristina Pavlov