Yahoo Lifestyle My Fault: London's Asha Banks is about to be everywhere
“I have a gig this evening, so I’m trying to protect my vocal cords,” Asha Banks tells me, sipping on a fresh mint tea. We’re at a London hotel to discuss her debut feature film and lead role in My Fault: London, the morning after its Leicester Square premiere. But, tonight, she also happens to be singing at Soho’s The Lower Third venue. Just a small insight into the world of the multi-hyphenate.
If you don’t know of the 21-year-old yet, you’re certainly about to see her everywhere. Banks released a song, ‘Feel The Rush’, in January and her debut EP is dropping in March. Before that, she stars as the headstrong and quick-witted Noah in the highly anticipated adaptation of author Mercedes Ron’s best-selling romance novel, now streaming on Prime Video. Between gigs, premieres, and releases, Banks acknowledges that her life feels “a bit surreal” right now, smiling, “It’s so exciting and it feels like such a moment."
Banks, who in person is warm, friendly and cool, but not in an intimidating way; rather in a I-want-to-be-your-bestie way - was eating pizza on holiday in Venice when she found out she got the part. She plays a teenager who moves from America to London with her mother and her new, wealthy stepfather. There, she meets her stepbrother Nick (played by The Buccanneer’s Matthew Broome,) and an unlikely attraction brews between them.
While his character is tough, brooding and suave in the film, Banks' first impression of Broome at the chemistry read was quite the opposite. “He came in and was this ball of nervous energy. He stumbled as he entered the room, hugged everyone and his hands were shaky, which was sweet” she shares. “I quickly knew we’d get on. [But then] he snapped into Nick and was super professional and confident. I felt comfortable with him immediately… he’s like a golden retriever.” Does that make her a black cat? “Well,” she laughs. “Matt says I’m more like a raccoon.”
Banks was equally put at ease by the directors, Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood, who make their first foray into directing with the film. “Playing this strong, female character and having these two, sick female directors doing their first feature film was so inspiring,” she says now, proudly. “They made the set so comfortable, and Dani, Charlotte, Matt and I felt like such a team.”
Banks’ confidence in leading a project was helped by her experience on set in the BBC adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder where she played Cara, the best friend to lead (and Wednesday star) Emma Myer’s Pip. “She taught me a lot about how to lead a cast," Banks says of her co-star. "She was such a wonderful leading lady and held herself so well, was so polite and was a generous scene partner.” Banks can’t yet reveal if she’ll be back for season two (but her character does feature in the novel, so we can only hope.) “I’d love to see the darker side of Cara, as she went through a lot in season one that she now has to deal with, so that would be fun to play.”
While A Good Girls’ Guide to Murder was her breakout role, Banks’ introduction to the industry came during her childhood. The Hertfordshire native made her acting debut at just eight-years-old as a young Éponine in Les Misérables. “I got the day off school to audition, so I went to London with my mum and grandma,” she says, eyes glistening. “I was looking around Shaftesbury Avenue and it all felt so big, vast and dreamlike. Getting the role was even crazier.”
In the years that followed, Banks spent her evenings on stage in productions like 1984, Annie and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the days back in class at school. “I learned to be resilient from a young age, as you constantly get told no. Also, I grew so much in confidence.” Banks also credits her parents – who were by her side for the My Fault: London premiere – and grandparents for being just as invested in her career as she was. “I’m very lucky."
A hard-working and driven Sagittarius (I’m a Leo, and we immediately bond over both being fire signs), Banks’ singing also led her to perform at Glastonbury aged 15 with her former band, Angels N’ Bandits. “It was so surreal, and I can’t remember which stage it was, but I remember we were driven in to perform then driven straight back out. So, I’ve still never even been to Glastonbury as a fan!”
Banks is inspired by the versatility of artists like Lizzy McAlpine, who is also making her Broadway debut this year, and wants to have a similar balance between acting and music as her career progresses. ‘Feel The Rush’ is in the credits of My Fault: London, which she says “felt like the perfect way to tie my music and acting together.” As for what’s next? She “can’t wait” for people to hear more of her music. “I’m hoping to film more, too, with the dream being a sequel to My Fault: London.”
As for how she’s preparing to deal with potential fame, Banks describes it as a “weird” concept. “I’m really bad at grasping numbers and views [she’s alluding to her 200,000 Instagram and TikTok followers, FYI] but I’m so lucky that Matt is going through the exact same thing, and we can be there for each other,” she says, adding that Nicole Wallace, who played Noah in the Spanish-language version of the film, Culpa Mia, has also reached out to offer support.
As Banks and I hug goodbye, she's whisked away to a visit a racetrack with her My Fault: London co-stars, before heading back into central London for her gig tonight. All in the a day's work for a star on the rise.
My Fault: London is streaming on Prime Video now.
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