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Freema Agyeman interview (Martha Jones)
Doctor Jones is back this summer, but she doesn’t look much like Harrison Ford! Ahead of her role in the forthcoming torchwood radio drama, Freema Agyeman digs the dirt.
WORDS: Simon Hugo
Courtesy of: The Official Torchwood Magazine
What is the full name on your birth certificate?
It’s Frema Agyeman – with just one ‘e’. I use Freema with two ‘e’s as my stage name, because people were always getting tied up with the pronunciation. Coupled with my surname, it all proved too much!
What is your nickname?
It’s Mimi! When my brother was a baby, he couldn’t say ‘Freema’, so he latched on to the ‘m’. Obviously he couldn’t call me ‘Mama’, so it stuck as Mimi. Also, my dear friend Jane calls me Freems. Little shout out to her!
What is your earliest memory?
I couldn’t possibly answer that question! I can remember birthday parties and trips to the zoo, but how can you put that in date order? I find people that can intriguing!
When was your first kiss?
It was at primary school. I can remember writing a bunch of love letters to him, as well! It’s so hilarious looking back, because they all dropped out of his pocket and everybody picked them up and had a little read. It was probably nothing more than, ‘You are my boyfriend and we should go and play in the park,’ but I remember being absolutely mortified! I concentrated on my studies from then on!
When was the last time that you cried?
I had a right good old cry about two weeks ago. I just find it a really good stress release. If you ever have that feeling where you think you might just need to cry, give it a whirl! Most of us just go, ‘Oh there’s nothing to cry about. Stop being silly.’ But if you let it all out, you just feel totally refreshed.
Do you believe in life on other planets?
“Yes I do. I like to think I’m somebody who doesn’t need to see something to believe it. I believe it, so hopefully one day I’ll see it! I mean, how huge is the universe, for goodness sake? How could we possibly be the only life out there?”
What makes you happy?
Having meaningful relationships, having a job you enjoy, and making a difference – whether that’s making one person smile every day or doing tons for charity.
What scares you?
Losing the people I love. And the dark!
What drives you mad?
Rudeness! Inconsiderate, selfish people who use their phones in the cinema and that sort of thing. Things that make you think, ‘Just use a bit of common sense!’
What was your most embarrassing experience?
Oh, I have embarrassing experiences all the time! I fell over on set recently, and everyone saw. We were filming in the city centre, and I just went up in the air and landed straight on my butt. It was like an invisible broom had just swept me off my feet. My agent was there, and loads of people had come out to watch. Everyone just gasped and laughed. I’m glad they laughed, though. Otherwise, they’ll just do it behind your back!
It’s Frema Agyeman – with just one ‘e’. I use Freema with two ‘e’s as my stage name, because people were always getting tied up with the pronunciation. Coupled with my surname, it all proved too much!
What is your nickname?
It’s Mimi! When my brother was a baby, he couldn’t say ‘Freema’, so he latched on to the ‘m’. Obviously he couldn’t call me ‘Mama’, so it stuck as Mimi. Also, my dear friend Jane calls me Freems. Little shout out to her!
What is your earliest memory?
I couldn’t possibly answer that question! I can remember birthday parties and trips to the zoo, but how can you put that in date order? I find people that can intriguing!
When was your first kiss?
It was at primary school. I can remember writing a bunch of love letters to him, as well! It’s so hilarious looking back, because they all dropped out of his pocket and everybody picked them up and had a little read. It was probably nothing more than, ‘You are my boyfriend and we should go and play in the park,’ but I remember being absolutely mortified! I concentrated on my studies from then on!
When was the last time that you cried?
I had a right good old cry about two weeks ago. I just find it a really good stress release. If you ever have that feeling where you think you might just need to cry, give it a whirl! Most of us just go, ‘Oh there’s nothing to cry about. Stop being silly.’ But if you let it all out, you just feel totally refreshed.
Do you believe in life on other planets?
“Yes I do. I like to think I’m somebody who doesn’t need to see something to believe it. I believe it, so hopefully one day I’ll see it! I mean, how huge is the universe, for goodness sake? How could we possibly be the only life out there?”
What makes you happy?
Having meaningful relationships, having a job you enjoy, and making a difference – whether that’s making one person smile every day or doing tons for charity.
What scares you?
Losing the people I love. And the dark!
What drives you mad?
Rudeness! Inconsiderate, selfish people who use their phones in the cinema and that sort of thing. Things that make you think, ‘Just use a bit of common sense!’
What was your most embarrassing experience?
Oh, I have embarrassing experiences all the time! I fell over on set recently, and everyone saw. We were filming in the city centre, and I just went up in the air and landed straight on my butt. It was like an invisible broom had just swept me off my feet. My agent was there, and loads of people had come out to watch. Everyone just gasped and laughed. I’m glad they laughed, though. Otherwise, they’ll just do it behind your back!
This extract was taken from a feature in issue #5 of The Official Torchwood Magazine.
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