Rapman’s original show is about a group of South Londoners who develop superpowers, exploring how their lives are forever changed and their task to protect themselves. Similar to previous shows like Heroes or Misfits, the show has been hailed for its majority Black cast and complex characters and the attention it brings to sickle cell anemia. The show redefines the superhero genre, with fresh and heartfelt storytelling, mind blowing action scenes that blend social commentary, science fiction and drama whilst capturing the essence of South London and some aspects of Black life in modern Britain.
Of the stellar cast, Nadine Mills emerges as a shining star, not only as the only woman in the group of heroes but her performance has garnered widespread praise from the audience and critics alike. Mills portrays Sabrina, a hardworking nurse who finds herself with the power of telekinesis. She goes on the journey of having the usual worries of doing well at work, looking out for her reckless sister, and learning how to use her new powers to protect her new friends and her family.
The breakout leading role comes twelve years into her career in the industry, with Mills having previously appeared in independent short films. Mills finds a similarity between herself and Sabrina and just like her, she has a clear warmth and determination that has led to this breakout role. She has captured audiences’ minds and hearts with her kindness, generosity and no-nonsense attitude.
1883 Magazine sits down with Nadine Mills to discuss Supacell, her overnight stardom and what it is like to fly.
First off, congratulations to Supacell. It is amazing. What’s it been like being part of such an amazing and inspiring project? Having this black superhero drama in London, what’s that been like?
Yeah, it’s been really good. I feel like I’m definitely a part of history with Supacell. What Rapman has achieved with this is legendary. The presence of black superheroes in London and their focus on sickle cell is really important.
I think all those elements are really great. And I’m honoured to, like, be a part of it.
No, and again, it’s just that everybody’s praising it, as you said, for that inclusion of sickle cell. When you went into the show or because you also play a nurse?
I was aware of sickle cell. Of course, I wasn’t aware of the – oh my god, what is it called, they have the pains – the relapses. But obviously, I was aware of sickle cell. I used to give blood. You know, I understood that, especially as black people, like, we don’t donate enough. So I was aware of sickle cell before. I just wasn’t aware of the depth of, you know, how deep it goes.
Yeah, it’s like one of those very well-known things if you’re black, you kind of know about it. Like even me, having grown up in a family with people with sickle cell, I wasn’t always aware of the seriousness!
I want to talk more about Sabrina. Sabrina has come out as, I think, everyone’s favourite person. And she’s such a cool character. Like, you know, you see her as an amazing sister. Just like a brilliant nurse. Really cool, the most level-headed, I think, of the group. What was it like getting into this character and playing her?
I was really excited to dig my teeth into Sabrina. I love that she has these like two elements to her you know? She’s this calm, loving, caring, protective, you big sister. And then obviously you have that flip side of her when she actually acquires her powers and she’s this like strong force, you know?
So I was really excited to play like those two sides of her. I relate to Sabrina in a way. I feel like we are quite similar in some aspects, like I’m quite a calm, chilled, protective and determined person, naturally. So I related to those aspects of Sabrina. And then I do have a fiery side to me. If you get on that wrong side of me, you will see a fiery side! (laughs)
So, I did see elements of myself in Sabrina. So it was easy to relate to her and really like to get stuck into the character. So yeah, I found it, I found it quite easy to portray her in a way. I’ve got that in me, you know. I’m a Sagittarius, so we’re a fiery star sign, you know.
Sabrina is very conscious about the dangers of, like, what’s happening to them. She’s the only one going to the doctor. And men will do anything but go to a doctor.
Because she’s like, ooh, something’s not right!
I love those scenes with her as a nurse, like, there was that scene when she’s meeting with her manager and asked if she has one bad day. And it was, like, really, like, relatable.
I do feel like as actors and as a black actor, I guess in terms of, you know, the roles that we get or the roles that we’re given, I would say that aspect of it is, is similar in a sense of, “Oh, you don’t want to say the wrong thing” or do the wrong thing in a case like a role’s taken away or, you know, in that respect I understand.
I don’t think anything in my work life, I could say I relate to in that sense as a black woman. I was able to sit down and have a conversation with a nurse, a black nurse who’s in the NHS, who was in a similar position to Sabrina, and I was able to kind of get those experiences.
That’s amazing. I love that you spoke to an actual nurse, like get, because then again, you have that really great relationship where you have like Sabrina with all of her patients and the little quirks with that I was thinking you were like volunteering in the hospital or something.
That’s just my nature. That’s my nature.
I can tell that if you were a nurse, you’d be like everyone’s favourite nurse! And, of course, like Sabrina, her relationship with her sister, Charlene (Rayjixa Ojo) is beautiful and frustrating. I’d love to, no, sorry, there are so many times, and listen, I know she’s a victim, but there are so many times I wanted to like, just shake her and be like, stop it [laughs].
And so what was it like filming those scenes, developing that sisterly relationship, and what is Sabrina’s relationship with Charlene from your point of view?
I enjoyed coming to set, and having those scenes with Rayjixa. I think our chemistry was really set from the initial audition. You know, she was warm, like our energies just matched. I knew that if I got the role, she would be my sister. If she got the role, I was like, I’m definitely going to be her sister.
There was that instant chemistry straight away. And it was really fun, like coming to work, playing alongside her. I think Sabrina and Charlene both fight for each other, you know, they have each other’s back, regardless, and although Charlene is a bit, you know, chaotic at times! Sabrina is the one that obviously keeps them grounded. Taking care of her sister is a big responsibility that her parents have given her, and it can be quite stressful for her.
So she does feel that pressure to make sure that she looks after Charlene and making sure Charlene doesn’t get herself into trouble. But then I think she also, has this relationship where it’s like their love is undeniable. You know, you, you can’t, like their bond is unbreakable and you definitely see that.
There’s a scene when Michael, who’s played by Tosin. He comes the first time me and Michael meet, and then Charlene realises and finds the letter that I was gonna leave her, and she walks out, and then, you know, I’m chasing after her, and Michael touches me, and then I go, “don’t touch me!” and she goes, “don’t fucking touch my sister!”
I think that is a real picture of their relationship. Even though she’s this annoying little sister that, you know, I constantly have to like, look out for, she also looks out for me, you know, in that moment. I think that moment was nice. I think they just have this undeniable bond.
It is a really sweet and like at times really funny relationship, but as you can always tell Sabrina is the adult in that relationship.
It’s definitely Sabrina!
You can tell Charlene’s the younger sister, she doesn’t have to think about any of that stuff, you know. She’s here to live and look cute, and that, and she did that.
She did do that! Her job is to look cute [laughs].
We see her transfer that over to like the other superheroes and very much like almost taking on that role again, something natural when bonding with the others?
Without even realising I’m just quite maternal as well and will take on this big sister slash mum role with everyone. Josh Tedeku was saying, “Oh, I feel like you’re like my mum” (laughs) Like, this is mum’s role. But I think like, you know, boys are boys and you know, as the only female, you know, when I was around them, I feel like I did kind of just take that position instinctively to just make sure I was like, you know, looking after them, so to speak, or just keeping them grounded.
And were there any, like, really fun moments on set because you get to do really cool stuff. What was that like, first of all, what was it like flying about?
Yeah. Working with the wires and the stunt team was exciting. I’ve never done anything like it. So it was really fun. I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to do it. And like the minute as I was done, there was no fear actually as well. I was just like, “Let’s go faster. Can we go higher!” Like, you know, I wanted to do more. Like moving forward, any other show that I do that involves stunts, I just want to do my own stunts, you know? I want to do it all. It was really, really fun. Really fun.
I love that, giving Michelle Yeoh vibes! Because I’ve spoken to actors who are like, that was really scary. And then you’re here like, nah, let me.
No, I’m like, let’s do more. Give me more!
Somewhere there’s an auntie who was probably like, why is this child going into the sky? What were your family’s reactions to seeing the show?
Yeah, I mean, they know how long I have been working towards, you know, something like this, like my career. I’ve been in the industry for about 12 years, you know, and I just haven’t been able to get that break.
And I think when they watched Supacell, everyone was just super proud and just like, yeah, they were excited. I think like seeing me flying as well, that scene, that’s a lot of like, a lot of my family members’ favourite scene. They rewound that about five times. They were like, “oh my god, look at her!” But yeah, they were just really proud because they know how much it means to me.
That’s so lovely. And they should be because again you really like killing it in the show. You mentioned you’re the only female main character main superhero in the show and there has been a lot of discussion around that. What’s it like being, I suppose, like the only black female superhero, particularly in a mainstream show where we don’t get to see a lot of ourselves in those spaces?
Yeah, I actually, was thinking about that the other day because I have been getting a lot of messages from like girls and you know, they’re just saying, “Oh my God, like you’re like an inspiration.”
I love Sabrina and you know, I can see myself in you. And I was just like, wow, because I feel like growing up too. I didn’t have that. I don’t think so, especially as a black girl. British female. We didn’t have many representations on TV. I’m really trying to think. I think it was more so the American shows and that’s who we kind of looked, looked to.
I feel really honoured. And I’m just happy to know that I am that inspiration for, I guess, the future and other black girls. It’s a nice feeling if I’m being honest. It’s a nice feeling. Because it’s also a positive role, you know? Just leaving that footprint behind is. is a great thing. It’s interesting as well, because like you said, as a black superhero, you think of Black Panther and then I guess, is Storm the other one? You know? So yeah, now I’m kind of in that category, I guess.
You’re up there! There needs to be some art of you together. There’s an artist somewhere that needs to do it.
I’m down for that one. It’s a really good feeling. It’s a good feeling. It’s lovely that little girls are being able to reach out and be like, “Oh my gosh, there’s like a black superhero!”
What is your dream superpower in real life?
Oh, invisibility. I’ve said that. It’s funny because recently I was having a conversation with my friends about this. I don’t know if it’s changed, but I’m going to go for invisibility. I’ve always said invisibility. Because then, you know, I can just go about my day and not have to worry about anyone. Or if, you know, if I’m, if someone is irritating me or something, I can just like, disappear. Don’t have to deal with it. And I’m out. It’s just gone!
Also, the other side to it is that I can just go and cause chaos. I would really enjoy pranking people. I love how that’s like you too. It’s either I want to be left alone and also I want to cause mayhem.
Are you sure your future arc on the show is not you becoming a supervillain? [laughs]
We will have to see!
That would be great. finally, do you have any favourite places in South London to hang out at?
Oh, I’m not going to lie to you. I’m an East Londoner, I rarely go to South London, but I do like Brixton.
The vibe in Brixton, or like Peckham.
There’s this cute little place, it’s a Cuban restaurant in Dalston and they have really nice food and amazing cocktails. It’s so good.
Supacell is out now on Netflix. Follow Nadine Mills @nadinemills_
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