Playful and vibrant as she strikes a series of dramatic poses for the camera, actress Shantol Jackson is clearly loving every minute of her exclusive photoshoot for HELLO!.
Despite declaring herself "not a fashionista at all", the Death in Paradise star looks a complete natural as she models a selection of cool and colourful designs.
"I have very little fashion sense, so I get people I trust to do this," says Shantol, 31, adding that the shoot has been the highlight of her stay in London, where the star born and based in Jamaica - has been promoting the new series of the hit BBC show she's been part of for three years. "I love London. I call it my 'second city'," she says.
Although it was Death in Paradise's costume designer Lisa Phillips-Dodsworth who sparked the actress's interest in fashion and bright colours - "she's really good at finding things that fit my skin tone and pays so much respect to my culture", Shantol says she was equally happy wearing the uniform of a police officer before her character was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant.
"I won't lie, I did love my uniform," she says with a laugh.
PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
Shantol landed the part as intuitive police officer Naomi Thomas in the show, which is filmed on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, in 2021 but securing the role wasn't all plain sailing.
"I auditioned a year after getting my agent and I didn't get the job, she says. "They said: 'We really like your tape; you're just not the right fit for this particular role.
"At the time, I couldn't understand it, so I cried. My manager in Jamaica got so excited and then it didn't happen. I was so disappointed.
"Then, a few years later, my agent said: 'So you remember that audition you did for Death in Paradise? They think they have a role that's good for you now.' I said: 'What?!"
Denne historien er fra March 04, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra March 04, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT