'I didn't want to play a crack addict': Naomie Harris reveals she initially turned down Moonlight because of 'negative portrayals of women' in film

By Lisa Mcloughlin For Mailonline

Published: 15:24 EST, 2 February 2017 | Updated: 02:52 EST, 3 February 2017

She's landed an Oscar nomination for her role in critically acclaimed Moonlight.

Despite getting a nod by the academy for her work, Naomie Harris revealed she initially turned down depicting drug addicted mother Paula in Barry Jenkins' gritty drama.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the 40-year-old British actress admitted she was hesitant to undertake the role as she they are enough 'negative portrayals' of 'black women' in film.

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Not keen: Naomie Harris revealed she initially turned down depicting drug addicted mother Paula in Barry Jenkins' gritty drama

She said: 'I didn't want to play a crack addict. I feel that there are enough negative portrayals of women in general, and black women in particular. 

'I grew up with this really strong mother - really intelligent, powerful, independent - and I've always admired her. She was part of a group of strong, powerful women as well. I very rarely saw those women represented them. So I initially said no to the role.'  

Since premiering in September, the small-scale film has a massed much praise and has since nabbed eight nominations at this year's Oscars, including Best Film and Harris for Best Supporting Actress.

Convinced she wouldn't be acknowledged by the Academy for her standout role, Naomie admitted she was too nervous to watch the live announcement. 

Hesitant: Speaking to The Telegraph, the 40-year-old British actress admitted she was hesitant to undertake the role as she they are enough 'negative portrayals' of 'black women' in film

Although initially watching the telecast with her mother, the Collateral Beauty star turned off the stream and decided to let bygones be bygones as she said either way her 'agents would call' to let her know.

However, it was someone closer to home, her brother, that delivered the news that she got her nomination.

She explained: 'It was my brother, and he was like, "YOU'VE BEEN NOMINATED!!!". And then my mum - who's always cool as a cucumber - she started screaming, my brother was screaming. It was really amazing.' 

Having honed her craft in number of films throughout the years, Naomie landed her big break in 2012's Skyfall as Eve alongside Daniel Craig.

Big break: Having honed her craft for many years, Naomie landed her big break in 2012's Skyfall as Eve alongside Daniel Craig

Although Daniel previously confirmed that he will leave the franchise after three films, she said that he was a 'brilliant bond' and added that she would love him to continue on in the role but insisted she doesn't know 'what's going on in that department'. 

Bond aside, Naomie stars in the latest version of The Jungle Book which is currently in post-production, in which she plays Nisha.

She joins Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan and Christian Bale as Bagheera in the flick.

Next up: Bond aside, Naomie stars in the latest version of The Jungle Book which is currently in post-production, in which she plays Nisha

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