Quelin Sepulveda, the rising British-Brazilian actress who captivated audiences with her breakout role opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor in Showtime’s The Man Who Fell to Earth, is stepping into the global spotlight once again as she leads alongside Tom Hardy in Netflix’s anticipated action thriller HAVOC. Directed by Gareth Evans, known for his gritty and immersive storytelling, HAVOC promises to deliver intense action, complex characters, and a gripping narrative.
When Sepulveda learned she had landed the role, she was nothing short of ecstatic. “Oh my goodness, I lost my mind!” she recalls vividly. “I remember it so clearly—I’d just come out of the gym and was about to head to my nannying job when my agents conference-called me. When they told me, I just went, ‘…erm, what?!’ I pulled over, jumped out of the car and started bouncing around, rambling away to them on speaker—very colourfully, I might add.”
Her preparation for HAVOC involved both intense mental readiness and demanding physical training. “It was my first time on a set of this scale, working with these absolute powerhouses,” Sepulveda explains. “So, I told myself: be a sponge for it all. Learn from everyone around you and trust the process. HAVOC is the kind of film where you have to throw yourself in completely—when they say jump, you ask how high.”
Working closely with Tom Hardy was particularly inspiring for Sepulveda, who describes the star as both a mentor and friend on set. “Tom was incredible—he truly took me under his wing,” she reveals. “He’d be cracking jokes right up until ‘action,’ giving me no time to overthink. It really pushed me to trust my instincts.”
Sepulveda’s role in HAVOC marks a dramatic shift from her beloved portrayal of Muriel in the comedic fantasy series Good Omens. This transition from a whimsical, comedic world to a gritty, action-driven thriller underscores Sepulveda’s versatility as an actress. Reflecting on the shift, she explains, “Funnily enough, I actually filmed HAVOC first. We wrapped on a Friday, and the following Wednesday I was on the Good Omens set. No two days on HAVOC were the same—I was constantly learning and adapting.”
Her multicultural heritage significantly shapes her artistic approach. With roots in Britain, Brazil, and Chile, Sepulveda embraces her diverse background wholeheartedly. “Whether I’m conscious of it or not, I don’t think I could separate my heritage from my work even if I tried,” she says passionately. “Brazil is such a vibrant, sensual place—music, dance, food are integral to our culture—and that definitely influences the way I connect with a role.”
Having graduated from the prestigious LAMDA in 2020 into the uncertainty of the pandemic, Sepulveda’s ascent to leading roles reflects her resilience and dedication. “By the time I graduated from LAMDA, I’d already been pursuing acting for ten years,” she explains. “All those years spent grinding definitely shaped how I approach projects now.”
Looking ahead, Sepulveda is enthusiastic about continuing to explore both film and stage. “I’d love to do a British indie drama—something intimate and character-driven, ideally with a young or first-time director who’s still experimenting,” she shares. She also expresses an eagerness to return to the theatre, perhaps at iconic venues like the Royal Court or Shakespeare’s Globe.
As HAVOC gears up for its Netflix release, Quelin Sepulveda stands poised to captivate global audiences once again, solidifying her status as one of the most compelling emerging talents on screen today.
1.Stepping into the Spotlight with Havoc
You’re set to star opposite Tom Hardy in Havoc—an action-packed thriller with an incredible cast. What was your reaction when you landed the role, and how did you prepare for such a high-intensity film?
Oh my goodness, I lost my mind! I remember it so clearly—I’d just come out of the gym and was about to head to my nannying job when my agents conference-called me. When they told me, I just went, “…erm, what?!” I pulled over, jumped out of the car and started bouncing around, rambling away to them on speaker—very colourfully, I might add.
At first, it was a bit of a mental prep before all the physical preparation kicked off. It was my first time on a set of this scale, working with these absolute powerhouses, so I told myself: be a sponge for it all. Learn from everyone around you and trust the process. Havoc is the kind of film where you have to throw yourself in completely—when they say jump, you ask how high.
2. The Action Genre and Working with Tom Hardy
Havoc promises intense action sequences and a gripping story. What was it like working with Tom Hardy, and did you undergo any special training for your role?
Tom was incredible—he truly took me under his wing. He’d be cracking jokes right up until “action,” which gave me no time to overthink or put the work on a pedestal. It really pushed me to trust my instincts. He’s meticulous about the craft, always focused on the story and questioning whether we’re telling it in the best way possible. Yet in the downtime between set-ups, we’d often talk about the industry and the work. He became such a mentor to me, and I’m incredibly grateful I got the chance to work alongside him.
As for training, we had loads of prep, and the stunt team was phenomenal. It ranged from learning and rehearsing complex choreography, to basic stunt skills like how to fall properly. We even did firearms training—which I’d never done before—so that was especially exciting.
3. From Fantasy to Gritty Thriller
Audiences love you as Muriel in Good Omens, a sweet, comedic, and fantastical role. Havoc is a stark contrast—gritty, dark, and action-driven. How did you approach this dramatic shift, and do you have a preference between fantasy and action roles?
I’m definitely a sucker for both genres, and I’d love to do more in the future.
Funnily enough, I actually filmed Havoc first. We wrapped on a Friday, and the following Wednesday I was on the Good Omens set. No two days on Havoc were the same—I was constantly learning and adapting. It was a daily reminder: stay present, don’t take it all too seriously—just play. When you’re in that headspace, shifting gears between genres doesn’t feel so tough.
4. Bringing Muriel to Life in Good Omens
Muriel became a fan favorite in Good Omens Season 2. What was the most rewarding part of playing such a lovable character, and how was it working alongside Michael Sheen and David Tennant?
Ah, Muriel! I don’t even know where to begin. The most rewarding part was getting to bring this character to life and seeing how the fandom embraced them so wholeheartedly. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of this world that means so much to so many.
Michael and David—along with the rest of the cast—were incredible. I don’t think they realise how much I learnt from them. I just wanted to soak it all up. They’re such generous actors, and they really gave me the space to play and discover Muriel. They’re also very technical, especially with comedy—timing is everything. I’d experienced that on stage, but this was my first time really exploring it on screen. Honestly, everyday on set was like an acting masterclass.
5. British-Brazilian Identity and Storytelling
As a British-Brazilian actress, do you feel your heritage has influenced your approach to acting? Are there particular stories or characters you’re drawn to because of your
Background?
Oh, we can’t forget the Chilean side! If I did, my dad’s whole side of the family would never let me hear the end of it.
And absolutely—whether I’m conscious of it or not. I don’t think I could separate my heritage from my work even if I tried. It’s the lens through which I experience the world. I’ve always been very physical, probably because I danced a lot growing up. That’s what first drew me to performing. Brazil is such a vibrant, sensual place—music, dance, food are integral to our culture—and that definitely influences the way I connect with a role.
I’m drawn to stories about people navigating complex cultural spaces—people who fight, persevere. And that “fight” can mean anything: the everyday struggles working-class families face. That feels close to home for me, and it’s such a rich space to explore creatively. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with Riz Ahmed—he’s someone who handles this intersection of different cultures so beautifully in his work; I hope to create work like that one day.
6. Your Journey from LAMDA to Leading Roles
You graduated from LAMDA in 2020 and almost immediately booked The Man Who Fell to Earth. What has your journey been like from drama school to leading roles in major projects?
To be honest, I wouldn’t say drama school was the start of my journey. By the time I graduated from LAMDA, I’d already been pursuing acting for ten years. I knew what it was like to juggle two or three jobs, take part-time classes, reach out to agents, hear “no” a hundred times… and then finally get into drama school—only to graduate into a pandemic.
So when I started auditioning for bigger projects, I think I had a much clearer sense of myself, my craft, and a greater openness to exploring how I could contribute to the work—and to the industry as a whole. All those years spent grinding definitely shaped how I approach projects now, how I audition, and what I value in a role.
7. Balancing Film and Television
With The Veil,Good Omens, and now Havoc, you’ve worked across different genres and formats. How does your process differ between TV and film, and do you have a preference?
I genuinely enjoy both, and I hope to keep doing both. But if I had to choose, film is where my heart is. I grew up watching films—there’s something about that format that feels really exciting and expansive. It can be as experimental as you like. In terms of process, the main difference is just the scope. With film, it’s 120 pages. With TV, I’m mapping the arc across a much longer journey. But the fundamentals—connecting to the character, finding truth in the story—they stay the same.
8. Looking Ahead—What’s Next?
With Havoc set for release and a growing list of impressive credits, what’s next for you? Are there any dream roles or creative projects you’re hoping to explore in the future?
Thank you! I actually just wrapped a couple of projects that I’m really excited to share soon.
Looking ahead, I’d love to do a British indie drama—something intimate and character-driven, ideally with a young or first-time director who’s still experimenting and discovering their process. And I’d really love to return to the stage. Maybe some new writing at the Royal Court, or something at the Globe. I want to do both—stage and screen—and keep pushing myself in new ways.
Photographer: David Reiss
Hair: Stefan Bertin
Make-up: Kenneth Soh
Styling: Delaney Williams
HAVOC is out on Netflix now
