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Dangerous yet quiet, Amita Suman plays the role of Inej Ghafa on Netflix’s newest show Shadow and Bone. A key member of Kaz Brekker's gang, Inej is a captivating character that will surely win over the hearts of all who watch. The Nepal-born actress, formerly of the CW’s The Outpost recognition, breaks into the streaming world with the role of Inej.

Shadow and Bone is streaming on Netflix starting today, and Flaunt got the opportunity to chat about Suman’s astounding performance.

How did you start your acting career, and why did you choose to go into it?

I officially began my acting career when I started drama school. I fell in love with acting when I saw a TV for the first time in Nepal. It was my window to think outside the box, a way to explore different realities with almost no boundaries. It seemed anything was possible in the TV. I knew then I wanted to be a part of that. I'm fascinated how there are billions of people in this world mimicking snowflakes, that no two are the same. An endless supply of characters to play with.

What kind of preparations did you have to go through to play the role of Inej Ghafa on Shadow and Bone?

I did a lot physical training. Inej is dangerous, highly skilled with knives and physically capable to the point you question if she's even human. I did not posses her skills unfortunately so I trained hard at the gym with a personal trainer and improved a lot, it was my first experience having that much muscle. I trained in silks too which was another first. It requires humongous core strength and pain tolerance as the silks literally pinch and cut circulation on the body part it's wrapped around. I had a swollen foot for ages. But my favorite was fight training, I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn all those skills.

Inej is a mysterious character, she is quiet, yet isn’t afraid to speak her mind when necessary, What is it like to play such a character and have you learned anything from playing the role?

As a brown actress, it's a dream come true. Inej is an inspiration to me, apart from her ability to kill, obviously. She's a woman who ferociously seeks righteousness, even though she's an assassin and a thief. She squeezes the good in the most questionable of characters like Kaz in the show. In real life that's not always easy to practice, playing her reminds me to do that more. Inej also demands equality, honesty and walks away when she doesn't get it. She has inspired me to do the same with strength rather than fear.

What is your favorite part about playing Inej? Can you relate to her at all?

Inej is one my favorite characters I've read in literature. As an actor it's a bonus when your given a part you deeply care about. We're nothing alike but I can relate with her trouble to survive and thrive in a different country, Ketterdam in Shadow and Bone. I came to the UK when I was 7 with no education, couldn't speak English, almost everything was a new experience and adapting to the new environment was tricky. We both have a sweet tooth too, in one scene I had to eat delicious sugar pastries. By the time we wrapped I devoured about 13, I was in heaven.

Shadow and Bone highlights many themes such as good versus evil, friendship, love, and power. Do you think any of these themes apply to our current reality?

Yes, all of them. I think all of us apply those themes in little ways in our daily life that connects and influences us all on a bigger scale. A theme in the show that's also really prevalent is representation, Shadow and Bone celebrates that by normalizing it.

Are there any scenes in particular that you liked filming or felt was important?

One of my favorite scenes to film was probably when Inej disarms herself from her many knives that's hidden in her costume and hair. An important scene was Inej's first kill. This scene was a crucial moment as her hand was forced to become a killer, despite a sworn oath to do good.

In Shadow and Bone there are many special powers and equipment, if you could choose to have one in real life what would it be?

I would love posses the powers of a Fabricator. A Grisha fabricator has the ability to manipulate glass, metal textiles and chemicals.

When you're not on screen, what other hobbies do you have?

I love a good adventure in the country side trekking up hills, through forests and being surrounded by nature. I'm saving up to go hiking through the Amazon forest to learn about wildlife, the different tribes, cultures and how they survive without the modern day privileges. Right now I'm enjoying a good chess game and cheese toasties binging TV shows.

When do you feel the most invincible?

Hard question to answer, but probably when I'm being challenged, because I learn the most about my self. I've had several moments in my life where I've hit bottom, and somehow, at this time, I always manage to solve whatever's dragging me down.

What are you most excited for in terms of the Shadow and Bone premiere?

Personally, I'm excited for audiences to see me in a role which isn't stereotypical of my ethnicity and skin color. I'm hoping this will expand my casting so I will have equal opportunities to play interesting, well rounded characters in the future. Also Shadow and Bone is unlike anything else you've seen. It's got everything you love in the fantasy genre and more.

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Photographer: Jack Alexander

Stylist: Jaime Jarvis

Make-Up: Olly Fisk

Hair: Alex Price @ Frank Agency