Jessica Henwick Quotes

It's funny, because I've never thought of myself as a Hispanic actor, like in 'American Gangster,' I'm playing an Italian. I've always been fortunate enough to have been allowed to play all these diverse roles.

I try to take roles that don't fall within the parameters of any Asian stereotype.

The more visibility, the more opportunities for Asian-American actors to play great roles. It goes to the studios opening up roles they might not have considered Asian actors for. The talent is there. I don't think there needs to be one superstar, but having more roles open up, that's the way changes happen.

I'd like to see more Asian-American roles where the ethnicity of the character can be swapped to another. We can, of course, play the stereotypical ninja, the martial arts master, the accountant, the doctor, but we can be more than that!

I've been fortunate that a lot of roles I've done have been professionals and not your TV stereotype of Latinos.

I tend to play characters that aren't supposed to black or written black.

I always get offered the pretty, popular girl roles, but I want to do something dark, really challenge myself and get out of my comfort level.

There are so many things I'd like to change in the industry. Everything from the reliance of style over substance to their reluctance to hire me for big budget blockbusters, but the thing I would love most would be if they understood people don't have to be Hollywood beautiful to be sexy or interesting.

Casting ethnic characters is a very hard thing to do, but it's important. It's also interesting.

What I want to do is play roles as a black man, instead of playing black man's roles. You know?

I do think it's well over-time to have a female Doctor Who. I think a gay, black female Doctor Who would be the best of all.

Danny Chung in 'Veep' is a really unique, very anti-stereotypical role for an Asian-American actor, and being able to play that has been super fun.

One of the things I like about comedy in general is that it affords Asian Americans the opportunity to not be noble.

I've played roles that aren't expected of an Asian.

I love directors who aren't going back to the stereotypes, who are helping write and create roles for women that are not in the typical Hollywood box. I'm very, very interested in films that are going outside of stereotypical roles for women.

Why should I limit myself or drive myself towards a woman-centric film. Sometimes, the most interesting role is not that of the protagonist.

I really like iconoclastic casting. I really do.

As for Bollywood, actors are no longer typecast there and I'm happy to be in that phase where the industry is evolving for the better.

A police officer asked me why I agreed to play a Pakistani in my films. I told him that someone has to do different, na. If everyone will become Indian army officer then how the story will proceed?

I put it forth as a challenge to the industry to continue thinking of actors, regardless of sexuality, with open eyes and open hearts that they can play any role.

I'm a breath of fresh air, and there hasn't been something this black on TV for a very long time.

I think what you think of as the American people embracing - I don't think, on paper, I embody anything of that perceived persona. I think that's what people are latching on to, that I'm different.

I want our generation to break stereotypes, and I want Indians who are making their foray in Hollywood to get all kinds of roles.

Filmmakers have role for everyone today. There are no stereotypical roles.

I am representing my community, in a sense, especially given the fact that there are not as many Latino actors out there.