Popular Kenyan actress Joyce Maina has her eyes on Hollywood

 The actress auditioned for Season 2 of 'Sense8'  Photo: Courtesy

Pulse: Is it true you went for a Hollywood movie audition in Germany?

Joyce: Yes. I was in Germany for an audition but it was for a Netflix series not a Hollywood movie.

P: What movie did you audition for?

Joyce: It was for Season 2 of Sense8. A Netflix series created by The Wachaoskis' who are best known for the movie The Matrix. The show has been shot in eight different locations and one of the locations is Nairobi.

P: How did it go and how many other people were casted for that role?

Joyce: We were just two ladies who made the final shortlist. It went as well as it could have. I got to meet some of the cast from Season 1 of Sense8 and I got to meet Lana Wachaoski. She is one of the writers, creator and director of the show.

P: Does this mean you will be budding out of Kenya like the likes of Lupita Nyong'o?

Joyce: Of course. I think every serious actress would want to work on an international level.

P: Is it true you met some top Nigerian players in the film industry who were in the country about working together?

Joyce: I can't talk about the Nigerian thing just yet.

P: But would you work in Nollywood given the opportunity?

Joyce: Yes. Their industry is thriving in comparison to ours. It would be great to work with them and learn how to improve our industry.

P: Being in the industry for some time now and having had exposure with other actors from different countries, are Kenyan actors paid enough?

Joyce: I haven't worked outside Kenya so I haven't worked with actors from other countries. Enough is a relative term in the Kenyan film industry but I think there is a lot of improvement to be done concerning that.

P: Ok. You are now taking up different kind of roles. So what should we expect from you in the TV series New Beginnings?

Joyce: I'm playing Bianca a nurse. She's a girl looking for a fresh start but her past keeps haunting her. She's a very complex character but completely relatable to some extent.

P: Is this role as exciting as other roles you have played before?

Joyce: It was definitely exciting because it was very different from any other role I've ever done. Which for me is what I find exciting about acting. Trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

P: You come off as a calm, soft spoken and collected person. How do you manage to pull off the different roles?

Joyce: It's part of the job. When you commit to a character and immerse yourself into being that character. You completely forget what your personal preferences are, mannerisms etc. and you just go for it.

P: You are also cutting across modelling with one very recent TV and billboard ad of Kanakelon hair. Are you their brand ambassador?

Joyce: I've been doing commercial modelling longer than I've been acting so I've always been as active as possible in that area. No I'm not the brand ambassador it was just a TV commercial.

P: So is modelling a career you will be pursuing seriously?

Joyce: Not really. I don't see myself as a model. I am more of an actress who's done some commercial modelling jobs.

P: You have changed your look this year from that innocent girl next door look to a grown sexy woman. Is the rebranding a strategy to push your career further?

Joyce: It wasn't a career move at all. It was a personal decision. I feel like I have grown as a person and as a woman. So changing my look was just my way of expressing that.

P: Are you dating?

Joyce: No.

P: How about you and Martin Kimathi of Teen Republik? You two appear to be very close with photos of the two of you in social media. Are you an item?

Joyce: No we are not an item. We are just good friends.

P: What big moves should we expect from you this year?

Joyce: I don't like to announce my moves. I prefer to work in silence and let my success make the noise.