The name on everyone’s lips is Kosar Ali. After stealing the show as ‘Sumaya’ in the coming-of-age drama Rocks, which earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting actress and two British Independent Film Awards – she’s now landed the role of Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons, Harriet Warner’s seductive small screen prequel to Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 18th-century classic about feuding ex-lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. Here she talks to us about diversity on screen, womanhood, and her passion for horror flicks.

You play Victoire in Dangerous Liaisons, who is the Marquise’s close friend and ally. Can you tell me more about her character in this prequel?

Well in this prequel we define her role more as the catalyst of the plot, as she’s really a bit of a detective and has this niche to find everything out. Also, in this adaptation she’s a Muslim character in France, so it’s a great privilege to represent that because these people, these characters did exist, we’re just not taught that in our history books, and it’s not told on screen. So, there are a lot more layers to Victoire now, she’s a pivotal part of the series, and very powerful and humorous, and fun.

We know that in the story, the Marquise was really a trailblazer in navigating her way through male dominated 18th-century society, wielding secrets to gain power. As her trusty sidekick, does this prequel further highlight that empowerment angle and shared girl power?

Definitely, as it tells the story through a female gaze, and through the female-led character you really get the sense of more of a womanhood in this.

Did you watch the original 1988 movie with Glenn Close and John Malkovich, or the 1999 adaptation, Cruel Intentions, with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe, to get any tips?

Well, when I got the role, I ordered the book to read and downloaded all the films to watch, but then later I decided I wanted to have my own take on the role, and not mimic any of the others, and just play it my way.

“In every job I do it’s very important that it’s true to my reality, and diversity is the world I live in, so it’s natural to me to want to be a part of those stories that reflect my world.”

The sets, wigs and gowns are so lavish. Can you tell me more about Victoire’s costume?

I really enjoyed working on the development of Victoire’s costume, as originally, I wear modest clothing, so her costume started off very different to what it became. It was fun to build on that with the designer Andrea Flesch, with all the materials and the colours, which were all primary colours, and all the power and symbolism associated with that.

It's got such a great ensemble cast, and I imagine yourself and Paloma Faith, (who plays fiery noblewoman Florence de Régnier) bonded, as you’re both East End girls born and bred?

Yes, we really bonded over East London and our accents because everyone was making fun of me for a while! Then Paloma turned up and I was like, omg, you totally understand me! She was honestly just a ball of fun, she reminded me of a glittery snowglobe, such fun!

Speaking of East London, how has your hometown influenced you and will its diversity maybe influence some of the roles that you choose in the future, or maybe you’ll write stories yourself to bring to the screen?

East London is all I’ve known, it’s me, and in every job I do it’s very important that it’s true to my reality, and diversity is the world I live in, so it’s natural to me to want to be a part of those stories that reflect my world. With writing, I like to write stuff about the people I grew up looking at, and people like me, so that’s important. As for other roles, I’m open to everything, but I love independent films, that’s where my heart is. I wouldn’t mind doing an action movie too, like Blank Panther!

I read that you’re also obsessed with horror films. Is there one favourite movie that you watch every Halloween with friends and just scream?

Well, none of my friends will watch horror films with me, so my horror partner is my sister, and we’re big critics because nothing really scares us! So, I can’t really choose one, we usually just watch like 10 in a row. When I can’t sleep, I also watch serial killer documentaries.

Like True Crime stuff, what, on your own, at night?

Yes!

Ok, now I’m seeing a little connection between you and Dangerous Liaisons! All that cruel deceit and manipulation and crimes of the heart!

Haha! As you watch on you might just see a little connection there! I’m interested in anything that challenges me really or makes me feel a little bit of adrenalin!

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Gregory Derkenne

Fashion by Steven Huang

Casting by Imagemachine cs

Make-Up by Yoi Wan

All clothes Trussardi