Senna came at the perfect time for Kaya Scodelario.
She had been in search of the right project, a production shot in Brazil and crafted by its people — something that would tug at the strings of her half-Brazilian heart and challenge her. “It was like Christmas morning,” the star says of finding there was a role going in Netflix series *Senna*. Her mother moved to England from Brazil shortly before Scodelario was born, but the *Skins* and *The Gentlemen* star often spent summers there growing up and has always felt deeply attached to that side of her identity. Her passion got her the role.
“Senna was a huge part of my childhood,” she says. “To everyone in Brazil, he is a hero and an icon, and culturally so significant.” She’s right: Ayrton Senna da Silva was the face of Formula One for a long time and his legacy has endured through decades. The three-time World Champion is something akin to a saint in his home country of Brazil, and he is regularly celebrated at the sport’s races today by the teams, drivers and fans. Icon is almost an understatement.
*Senna*, a six-part series dropping on Friday, Nov. 29, on Netflix, captures both the motorsport icon’s calling and his increasingly intense rivalry with French teammate Alain Prost — leading up to Senna’s tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when a crash on track cost him his life at age
34. He had been championing stricter safety regulations for years
before this and, for many, has stayed a martyr of the sport.
Scodelario plays Laura, a fictional character who is often the athlete’s only connection to home as he leaves Brazil for Europe to become an F1 champion. She is a journalist for motorsport magazine Autosport a
Belgium, three-time world champion Ayrton Senna his Marriott to understand the intricacies of
She’s right: He’s someone who’s considered almost mythological in Brazil and whose story goes beyond Formula One, touching upon social issues too.
The show was shot in problem was that the storylines was not rallying I wasn’t sure if meet the depictions in the film
was of Brazilian origin, and it was important for me that it did are were shot
in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. With an entirely Brazilian crew, directed by Vincent Amori and Júlia Rezende,
After he shot in
She’s right: He’s someone who’s considered almost mythological in Brazil and whose story goes beyond Formula One, touching upon social issues too.
How did the role in ‘Senna’ impact Kaya Scodelario on a personal level?
Title: Kaya Scodelario Finds Home with ‘Senna’
**Host:** Kaya Scodelario is blazing a trail in Hollywood, but her latest role in the Netflix series ‘Senna’ has struck a particularly personal chord. Kaya, welcome to the show!
**Kaya:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** Let’s talk about this incredible project: ‘Senna.’ It’s not just a show about Formula One; it’s a story about a cultural icon in Brazil. What drew you to this role?
**Kaya:** Well, Senna came at the perfect time. You know, I’ve always been searching for a project that truly connected me with my Brazilian heritage. I’m half-Brazilian on my mother’s side, and though I grew up in England, I spent childhood summers in Brazil and felt a deep tie to that part of me. [ [1](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/senna-netflix-kaya-scodelario-brazil-f1-formula-one-show-1236073557/) ]
**Host:** You’ve described Senna as a hero and an icon in Brazil. What was it like immersing yourself in his world for the series?
**Kaya:** It was absolutely incredible. Ayrton Senna da Silva, the three-time World Champion, means so much to Brazilians; he’s practically a saint. When I learned there was a role in ’Senna’ – it felt like Christmas morning! This project allowed me to celebrate his legacy and connect with my roots on a level I haven’t experienced before.
**Host:** It sounds like ‘Senna’ offered you more than just an acting opportunity; it was a journey of self-discovery as well.
**Kaya:** Absolutely. It truly was a special experience.
**Host:** Kaya Scodelario, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We’re excited to see you shine in ‘Senna.’
**Kaya:** Thank you!
