Lisa Ambalavanar, a British actress of Sri Lankan and English descent, is best known for her roles of Alia Haniff on BBC’s “Doctors and Mia” on the Netflix Series “The A List.” She recently joined the cast of season four of DC’s “Titans” as the villain Jinx. Released on November 3rd, the series is streaming on HBO Max. “Slotherhouse,” a comedy horror film in which she stars, is in post-production and set for release next year.

How did you get into acting? Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
Deep down I always wanted to be an actor but I suppressed it for a long time. I was self-conscious and wasn’t brave enough. I did many jobs and tried many things before finally giving this a go. But once I realized I wasn’t going to be fulfilled until I tried it, it was time to take the leap. It was then a long and slightly untraditional journey from there, but I’m so pleased I did it. I’ve found my thing.

You’ve worked on films/series as well as several stage productions. What is the greatest challenge of performing for an audience versus performing for a camera? Is there one you prefer over the other?
I genuinely love them both and hope to continue doing both. They’re quite different. I love being on set and how fast TV and film move. There’s no time to get bored, you work on a scene for a few hours and then it’s on to the next one. On stage it feels great to tell a story in order from beginning to end and feel everything, rather than non-chronological and split into small bits. I also love getting the opportunity to sing and dance, which I’ve done in some of the stage productions I’ve performed in. Both can be scary and anxiety-inducing too, but in different ways.

You played Alia on “Doctors” for 37 episodes. What was the greatest challenge of working on a soap? Did you relate to Alia at all?
“Doctors” shoots quickly - You only get one or two takes per set-up and minimal set-ups per scene. We shot so many pages a day. It was an enjoyable experience, a lovely start to my career with really nice people. It’s not necessarily something I want to go back to but it’s something I’m grateful for. I didn’t relate to Alia in any way to be honest. Age, ethnicity, cultural background, education, aspirations, personality. We’re different in all aspects. It’s probably not a role I’d audition for now, but the reality is I couldn’t be picky at the time. I’ve rarely fit into any of the UK’s casting boxes, so I’ve had to adapt myself to fit into the boxes that they want if I want to work.

What was your favorite and least favorite aspect of playing Mia on “The A List?” Did you learn anything about yourself playing the character?
I really enjoyed playing Mia. I grew in confidence playing her because she was so much more confident than I was. I don’t really have a least favorite thing. I would’ve loved more mature material but the show was for tweens so it was what it was. I was also so grateful to be getting the chance to play a role where ethnicity wasn’t mentioned or a factor. And to be playing the ‘mean girl’ kind of role that so often would be played by someone white and blonde. At the time of being cast I couldn’t remember ever seeing that kind of role being played by someone who looked like me on UK television. But her ethnicity wasn’t a part of the story or her identity; she was just ‘the girl.’ It was a beautiful thing.

What was it like shooting in the Scottish Highlands? How did the location affect your experience on the show?
I absolutely loved filming in Scotland. That whole experience was an intense and incredible one. And I couldn’t have asked for a better cast to go through it with. We had such an amazing time, living in Glasgow, hanging out between filming, shooting in stunning locations. It was incredibly hard work but it was one hell of a summer. I still keep in contact with a lot of that cast. I love them. And I’ll always be grateful to Dan Berlinka, the show’s creator, for giving me that experience.

How did it feel to be cast as Jinx on DC’s “Titans?” Are you a DC fan?
It was a shock! I wasn’t expecting it at all. It happened quickly with little information supplied. But when you get offered something like that after years of hard work and rejection you can’t say no. I’m not Brad Pitt! I was in absolutely no position to be turning things down. Plus it felt like a dream come true, to venture into the comic book/superhero world. I’m really honored to play her. To say I’m a proper DC fan would be a disservice to all the incredible, true DC fans out there! But I have watched and enjoyed a lot of the DC content over the years, yes.

How did you prepare for your role of Jinx? What is your favorite part of the character?
I did loads of research on her online and read lots of the comic books in which she’s featured. I also prepared physically, ready for wearing the super suit I’d already been told I’d be wearing and for anything physical that may have been written into it. I loved playing Jinx more than I can even communicate. She’s so different from me but it was the first time I really felt like I knew a character inside out, and knew how she’d react or what she’d say or how she’d handle any situation. It was innate. I don't know what happened but it was effortless. She's been the highlight of my career so far.

What was it like playing a villain?
I wasn’t aware until I got the role and received the first episode script that she wasn’t actually going to be a traditional villain. She’s not the bad guy of the show, she’s just chaotic, selfish at times and she says it like it is, because she’s so used to working alone and doing her own thing. She’ll do what’s best for her. It was a lot of fun to play.

“Slotherhouse” is in post-production. What can you tell us about the project and your role? What is the greatest challenge of working on a horror film?
It’s an absolutely nuts movie and concept. I play a sorority girl called Emily, which was a lot of fun. Horror films are exhausting because so much of it is heightened: a lot of running and panting and screaming and high emotions, fighting for your life. But this was really fun at times too because it’s also a comedy. It’s not straight horror. I love movies like “Shaun of the Dead” and think it can be great when those two genres are mixed.

What themes and characters are you hoping to lean into as your career progresses? What is your dream role?
If I were to sum it up in one sentence it would be to continue the amazing work so many of my South Asian and Mixed peers are doing to break down stereotypes and further representation on screen. But there’s so much I want to do. I want to do more movies, of all genres. I’d love to do a musical, I want to play a wide range of different characters. I’ve barely touched the surface. I’d absolutely love to work with Mindy Kaling and Nida Manzoor. I love their work. I also admire the work of author Samira Ahmed and would love to be involved in bringing something of hers to screen. I’d love a career like Jessica Henwick, whom I don’t know personally but look up to in many ways, even though she’s younger than I am.

Social Media.
Instagram - @lisa_amba

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Jemima Marriott
Talent: Lisa Ambalavanar
Fashion Stylist: Harriet Byczok at The Only Agency
Hair & Makeup: Maria Comparetto at The Only Agency
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sienna Ropert, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine