Gemma Chan says she's embracing her Asian roots after trying to "blend in" as a child while growing up in England.
The actress' mum and dad immigrated to the UK from China and Hong Kong before Gemma and her sister Helen were born.
The Crazy Rich Asians star grew up in Kent, where she said hers was "one of the few families of colour".
Speaking to Porter magazine Gemma said she felt like she was "kind of between two cultures" and didn't know how to respond when neighbours would compliment her on her "good English".
The star said there were times she just wanted to "blend into the background" especially when her grandmother started haggling on shopping trips.
However she now says: "One of the nicest things about getting older has been reconnecting and feeling like I can embrace and celebrate the Asian side of my heritage".
Gemma has a string of successful films under her belt including Let Them All Talk, Captain Marvel and Eternals in which she stars with Angelina Jolie.
Speaking of how her parents have handled her rise to fame, Gemma said: "They're wonderfully constant, which I really love, but they're also not overly impressed by anything."
The actress said her line of work had allowed her to meet many more Asians than she did growing up.
And it seems like she's already made a fan in tennis star Emma Raducanu.
The US open winner wants the Crazy Rich Asians star to play her in a film about her life.
The teen tennis sensation says Gemma would be ideal for the role because they come from the same neighbourhood.
Emma, 18, said: “She actually grew up on the street right next to my house and went to the same secondary school.
“It’s such a small world. And she was in Crazy Rich Asians, which was huge. I’d say she’s very poised. I respect her a lot.”
Gemma – who, at 38, is 20 years older than Emma – has also been in shows such as Doctor Who, Sherlock and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.
Both grew up in Bromley, south east London, and went to Newstead Wood girls’ grammar school in Orpington.
