Naomi Ackie Breaks Down What She Looks For In A Director

Naomi Ackie is not just an actress; she's a storyteller with a vision, and she knows exactly what kind of creative captain she wants steering the ship. The 34-year-old British talent recently pulled back the curtain on her process, revealing that she actively seeks out directors who aren't afraid to push boundaries and embrace ambitious narratives.

This discerning approach, she explains, isn't just a professional preference; it's a deeply ingrained part of who she is, shaped by a childhood filled with robust intellectual discourse. Growing up, Ackie’s family dinner table was less about small talk and more about deep dives into philosophy, politics, religion, and faith. These formative conversations, she notes, naturally molded her communication style and became the blueprint for how she evaluates creative projects today.

Her latest venture, the 2026 American crime comedy *I Love Boosters*, serves as a prime example of this artistic alignment. Directed by the acclaimed Boots Riley, the film is set to showcase Ackie in a role that perfectly fits her criteria for challenging and engaging storytelling. In the movie, Ackie takes on the character of Sade, described as the best friend of Corvette and a sharp, business-minded "booster" – a professional shoplifter – operating within a crew known as the "Velvet Gang."

*I Love Boosters* features an impressive ensemble cast including Keke Palmer, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. The narrative follows this group of inventive young women who transform shoplifting into a radical act of defiance. Their exploits gain viral attention, escalating into a personal feud with fashion mogul Christie Smith, ultimately leading them to plan an audacious heist. The film made its debut at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 12, 2026, and is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on May 22, 2026.

Born on August 22, 1991, in Walthamstow, London, Ackie is the daughter of second-generation immigrants from Grenada. Her father worked for Transport for London, and her mother was with the National Health Service. She attended Walthamstow School for Girls and discovered her passion for acting early, portraying the angel Gabriel in a school nativity play at age 11. Her formal training solidified at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she graduated in 2012 from the Acting (Collaborative Devised Theatre) program.

Ackie's career trajectory has been marked by a series of diverse and impactful roles. Her breakthrough on the big screen came with *Lady Macbeth* in 2016, a performance that earned her the British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 2017. She gained wider recognition as Jannah in the 2019 blockbuster *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* and received a BAFTA TV Award for her compelling portrayal of Bonnie in the second season of Netflix’s *The End of the F***ing World*, also in 2019. More recently, she garnered significant acclaim for her transformative role as American music icon Whitney Houston in the 2022 biographical film *I Wanna Dance with Somebody*.

Beyond her on-screen achievements, Ackie has frequently shared insights into her collaborative experiences with directors, highlighting her evolving perspective on the craft. She notably reflected on the unique bond forged with director Zoë Kravitz during the filming of *Blink Twice* in 2024. Ackie shared, “I remember saying on set how rare it is for women to create the kind of friendships that male directors and actors have.” She elaborated on this particular experience, stating, “This was a job where I felt like I was a friend of the director. Before, it always felt like I was the child - like, ‘Oh My God, please love me! Am I doing a good job?!’ It was good times,” underscoring her appreciation for a more egalitarian and trusting relationship with a director.

Her work on *Sorry, Baby*, set for release in 2025, also proved to be a significant learning experience. Director Eva Victor described Ackie as “the missing piece” of the film, commending her generosity, grace, and patience, especially given that it was Victor’s directorial debut. Ackie herself acknowledged the profound impact of the project, stating, “I learned so much from this job.” She also mentioned that while she often relies on instinct in film, she aims to reincorporate more of the detailed breakdown process she honed in theater, believing it led to “really cool, different characters.”

Ackie's ambitions extend beyond acting; she identifies herself as a storyteller first and foremost, with aspirations to write and direct in the future. In a 2021 interview, she articulated this vision, saying, “I let them know I’m originally a theater maker. I think of myself as a storyteller, more so than an actress. I’m writing now and I want to be a director. I want to tell stories.” This drive to engage in storytelling from multiple creative angles perfectly aligns with her stated preference for directors who champion ambitious narratives.

From the intellectual sparring matches at her family dinner table to her insightful collaborations with acclaimed directors like Boots Riley and Zoë Kravitz, Naomi Ackie’s career path consistently demonstrates a pursuit of meaningful and challenging artistic endeavors. Her journey reflects a deeper commitment to the craft, promising more compelling performances and, perhaps, groundbreaking stories told from her own unique perspective in the years to come.