Sex scenes are liberating! Nafessa Williams on Rivals, racism, and self-belief

Happy Place with Fearne Cotton

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Monday, 11 May 2026 - 49 minutes

Sex scenes involve a lot more padding and tape than you might expect! Rivals actress Nafessa Williams has found being at the centre of one of TV’s sexiest shows both nerve-wracking and incredibly liberating.In this chat with Fearne, Nafessa explores what it means to play the only black woman in a white man's world in 1980s Britain, and why she sees her acting as her contribution to activism and representation.Do you consider yourself to be ambitious and driven? Nafessa wonders if you rest as hard as you work... because you should! Plus, how to manifest the life you want, without forgetting the key component: action!Watch Rivals series 2 on Disney+ from May 15th.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Rhonda ByrneLeigh-Anne PinnockAfua Hirsch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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