The British actress has returned for her third film in the epic movie franchise, which features an array of high-octane car scenes in street racing and heist storylines.
In one scene, Emmanuel’s character is seen revealing that she doesn’t know how to drive as she gets behind the wheel of a vehicle.
The actress admitted she is in a similar situation in real life, as she was constantly too “busy or broke” to make time for getting herself road ready.
During an interview with Essence, the Game of Thrones star was asked if she had an anecdote to share about getting her license, to which she responded: “I never got my license. It’s funny, because I don’t drive either, and it was fun to kind of laugh at that.
“I started learning to drive when I was like 17 and then I started acting and I was just, like, busy. I was either busy or broke—that’s the life of an actor, really! And it’s only in recent years that I’ve actually had the time and the finances to do it, because it’s expensive. It’s expensive to learn in England, especially.”
“But now I’ve got a bit more time where I can maybe try and get an intensive course in and finally get it,” she added. “I actually know how to drive a car, I just haven’t got the legal license that says, you can do it without getting arrested.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Emmanuel, who is of Caribbean and English ancestry, shared her take on why there are a large number of Black and mixed-heritage British actors currently carving out careers in Hollywood.
“The British industry hasn’t always embraced us,” Emmanuel said. “So many Black mixed people like myself have come out to America because the opportunities just weren’t here for us. What’s happened is a lot of talent has been lost to the States.”
Acknowledging that the entertainment industry is a lot bigger in the U.S., the actress said it’s “surreal” that she is enjoying success in Hollywood.
She said: “I kind of just took a risk like I guess I’m going to try and I’m really really proud of that and the fact that the universe has decided Nathalie, this is going to happen. It’s surreal. I pinch myself regularly.”
Fast and Furious 9—which is out now—also stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Helen Mirren and Charlize Theron, among others.
The synopsis for F9 reads: “Even as time moves on for Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and his son, little Brian, there is still a longing inside him for their past lives in the fast lane.
“With Han (Sung Kang) back in the fold, Dom and his crew will need all the help they can to square off against Dom’s younger brother Jakob (John Cena), the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered.
“He’s come for revenge against his elder sibling with a a world-shattering plot. Jakob teams up with familiar foe Cipher (Charlize Theron) in their quest for vengeance against Dom and his family.”
