Incredible Women Of 2024: Actor Ambika Mod
Throughout March, in honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the trailblazing talent whose energy and impact are defining the year. The first shining star in our Incredible Women of 2024 series is British actor AMBIKA MOD. Capturing global attention with her stellar performance in this spring’s smash-hit One Day, Mod speaks to ALICE CASELY-HAYFORD about her biggest role to date, pivoting from live comedy to the small screen, and the sense of purpose that motivates her
There are certain shows that are destined for success; the type of cultural moments that not only ignite water-cooler conversation and social-media frenzy but also create breakout stars. Think Normal People, which catapulted Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones to stardom and was a welcome antidote to lockdown misery; or The Bear, which cemented Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White’s cult status. This year’s version is One Day, starring Leo Woodall – who you’ll recognize from White Lotus – and his scene-stealing, breath-of-fresh-air co-star Ambika Mod.
The highly anticipated Netflix adaption of the bestselling David Nicholls novel has received critical acclaim since its release in February, and was swiftly the number-one show on the streaming service in numerous countries (if you’re one of the few people who still hasn’t binged it, drop your plans and start tonight).
Having won several awards for her performance as Shruti, a trainee doctor, in This Is Going to Hurt in 2022, Mod then starred in the second season of the hugely popular comedy I Hate Suzie, created by Lucy Prebble and Billie Piper. And now, the 28-year-old British comedian-turned-actor has stolen our hearts in her first lead role, as One Day’s Emma Morley. “For me and Leo, because it [the plot] relies so much on Emma and Dexter and is led by their stories and their emotions, we felt how heavily reliant it was on our performances,” Mod told PORTER just before release. Shooting the series took eight months. “It was the biggest job either of us had ever done and so it was a massive undertaking, especially as the book is so loved.”
Mod plays Emma to perfection, with a mesmerizing mix of sarcasm, sensitivity and self-assurance that makes you at once love and loathe the character, played by Anne Hathaway in the 2012 film. Mod’s previous experiences gave her the self-belief to step up to the challenge. “I think This Is Going to Hurt and its reception gave me a lot of confidence going into this. If I hadn’t had that behind me, I would have been even more shit-scared than I was.”
It was also her work as a stand-up comedian that ensured she was mentally equipped for the trials and tribulations of being an actor. “From doing live comedy for so long – I started when I was 18 – I was forced to find my voice early on. I have a really clear sense of what I, Ambika, can bring to a role. Comedy made me really resilient. The rejection you face in acting is nothing compared to the rejection you face in comedy. I think it made me a bit braver, willing to take risks,” she explains.
“I’m a brown woman and my casting isn’t going to be an image of Emma that a lot of people had in their heads. They searched high and low for Emma and Dexter, and I’m so thankful that I was the right person
”
With a thicker skin, Mod was prepared for any naysayers who unfairly questioned her being cast in One Day. “I’m a brown woman and my casting isn’t going to be an image of Emma that a lot of people had in their heads. They searched high and low for Emma and Dexter, and I’m so thankful that I was the right person, but I think it’s because I feel such a kinship with her in so many ways – our sense of humor being one of them.”
A story about love, friendship and growing up, the themes resonate universally – and Mod brings a vitality to the well-thumbed tale. The latest adaptation had the seal of approval from David Nicholls, who served as an executive producer on the series, which was directed by Molly Manners and adapted by Nicole Taylor, among others.
Mod muses on the joy of having worked with women throughout her career, recognizing that it isn’t reflective of the general state of play: “I’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible female creatives. But when you zoom out and look at the wider industry, there’s still so far to go. I feel it myself in a lot of ways. I often wonder, if I were the same actor in my position, and I were white, what kind of opportunities would I be getting? Am I on the same level as my white counterparts? Truthfully, I don’t think I am.”
“I’m so grateful to be doing this job and to be where I am,” she continues. “But in terms of things being equitable across the industry, I think [there’s] still a long way to go – especially in my experience as a South Asian actor. It falls [upon] me and people like me to fight for what we deserve – and that’s an ongoing process.”
Mod has risen to the challenge; next up, she stars in Disney+’s psychological thriller Playdate, alongside Holliday Grainger, about a woman whose life is turned upside down after her daughter is kidnapped during a sleepover. Beyond that, Mod would like to put pen to paper and take the lead on her own project – as she did with her stand-up comedy. “I’d love to do film, which just feels like a whole other beast. I’m making steps towards that, but I would love to write and star in something of my own – just because I miss that creative control.”
Mod’s journey is really only just beginning, and it’s one worth following very closely. The young actor is feeling optimistic, too. Serendipitously, One Day was released on February 8, exactly two years to the day after This Is Going to Hurt. “I’m taking that as a very good sign,” she says with a broad smile. “It’s like my one day.”
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