SPOTLIGHT

Actress Jessica Henwick is a Marvel in the making. By Miranda Thompson

on Game of Thrones actress Jessica Henwick

WHO? she has already notched up plum roles in Game of Thrones and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and now the British actress is preparing to knock us for six in the highly anticipated netflix series Iron Fist. BIG BREAK Born to a singaporean-Chinese mother and zambian-english father, 24-year-old Jessica hails from the surrey countryside. Having taken ‘acting classes when i could’, Jessica’s first job was lead role Bo on Spirit Warriors, a BBC children’s programme for which she did some martial arts training. ‘if it wasn’t for that show, i’m not sure where i’d be now,’ she says. in 2015 she first starred in Game of Thrones as bullwhip-wielding nymeria sand – ‘an insane ride’. Between episodes she squeezed in filming for Star Wars. ‘it remains one of my best experiences ever on set – everyone was so happy to be there.’ COMING UP 2017 is shaping up to be Jessica’s year, with a leading role in the tV adaptation of marvel Comics’ cult favourite Iron Fist. Game of Thrones alumnus finn Jones plays danny rand, aka the eponymous iron fist, a martial arts expert with superhero strength. Jessica stars as Colleen Wing, who runs a martial arts studio. she describes her character as ‘interesting. in a world where people are bulletproof and can fly, it takes something extra for an ordinary person to put herself in the line of fire.’ mastering Colleen’s impeccable skills meant endless practice. ‘When i wasn’t on set, i was training – sometimes on my lunch break.’ WATCHING ON NETFLIX? ‘i’ve just finished The Crown.’

Series one of iron fist will be available on Netflix from Friday

In a world of superheroes, it takes a lot for an ordinary person to put herself in the line of fire