Nikki Amuka-Bird: ‘I’d have drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race play me in the film of my life’

The actor on social anxiety at parties, the gap between her front teeth, and missing the days of video rentals

Born in Nigeria, Nikki Amuka-Bird, 49, studied at Lamda and began her career with the RSC. In 2017, she was Bafta nominated for her role in the BBC adaptation of Zadie’s Smith’s book NW. The same year, she played the lead in the Donmar’s production of Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea. Her recent television work spans Armando Iannucci’s comedy Avenue 5; the action series Citadel; and I, Jack Wright, which is on U&Alibi. She is divorced and lives in London.

What is your greatest fear?
I’m quite scared of bats. I’m just seeing rats with wings – no, thanks.