Kaya Scodelario on FAULT Magazine Issue 32 Cover and Interview
Kaya Scodelario X FAULT Magazine
Stylist: Karen Clarkson @ The Wall Group
Makeup Artist: Emma Day @ The Wall group using Lisa Eldridge
Hair Styling: Shon Hyungsun Ju @ The Wall Group
Stylist Assistants : Maïlys Pereira & Isobel
Atkinson
Lighting: Jake Milsom
Location: Drop Studio
Words: Miles Holder
With over 17 years of acting experience, Kaya Scodelario has become a celebrated name in the industry, known for her compelling performances and passion for storytelling. Throughout her career, she has often spoken about the deep importance of her Brazilian heritage, and with her new role in the Netflix mini-series Senna, she is putting that connection to one of Brazil’s most revered F1 drivers front and centre.
Taking on a role in a project centred on such a beloved figure carries enormous responsibility. For Kaya Scodelario, joining the cast of Senna was a personal and professional milestone—a unique opportunity to pay homage to her roots while contributing to a story deeply ingrained in the hearts of Brazilians and motorsport fans worldwide.
In FAULT 32 – we catch up with Kaya Scodelario to discuss the role, her creative journey and of course, her FAULTs.
FAULT MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 – IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW
As a Brazilian-British actress, were you quite familiar with Senna’s story already?
I Definitely was! That’s something that’s beautiful about Brazilians; they’re very proud of their history and their culture. Growing up, I was very aware of my Brazilian heritage. I was raised with a bunch of Brazilians who were all in London, and I was the only kid. So, I would be there as they sat around talking about Brazil, its heroes, and what that meant to them.
The moment I truly understood it was when the documentary about his life came out. I went to the cinema in Camden to watch it, and it was wall-to-wall Brazilians. People were on their feet, crying, shouting every time Prost came up on the screen, laughing openly, and talking to each other. It felt like a communal experience.
The passion in that room at that moment—I became very aware of how much he meant to people—not just in Brazil, but from a distinctly Brazilian point of view.
Sequined short : INTIMISSIMI
Socks : CALZEDONIA
Shoes : ECCO.KOLLECTIVE
When you look back over your creative journey, what would you say has been the hardest hurdle for you to creatively overcome?
Definitely the politics of the game. I still really love my job, but my favourite part of it is spending 18 hours on set, breaking bones and destroying myself mentally for the sake of the character. That’s the bit I love.
But also, it’s a career and a job, and there are parts of it that are still really hard for women. I’m acutely aware that I’m probably still being paid less than any male co-star I work with. The stories I want to tell are harder to find—they just take more time.
I’ve also been doing this for 15 years now, so I’m starting to trust myself. I believe I belong on those sets, that what I have to say is valid, and that I have the consistency and experience as much as any producer or director. I’m channelling the energy of, “I don’t care if you think I’m rude; if I’ve got something to say, it’s valuable.”
It’s challenging because I love it so much, but I’m in a beautiful position. I’m fortunate, and I’m aware I get to do a job I love. I’m so fortunate to do something artistic that we enjoy, but there’s still a long way to go.
What is your FAULT?
I’ve got so many… I talk too much. I befriend people very quickly and tell them my life story. I’ll make friends with you in the pub and tell you every single bit of my life. I want to share human connections with everyone, which is lovely, but I probably shouldn’t do it with everyone.