Taken from the Summer 2019 issue of Wonderland. Order your copy of the issue now.

Laura Harrier was catapulted into our collective consciousness with her breakout role in Spider-Man, and confirmed that her hype was much-deserved in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman. The actor tells Maybelle Morgan what it’s like to be tapped by one of the most revered directors of our time and where she’s headed next on her stratospheric rise.

Once the out-of-office is on, there aren’t many circumstances that could prise most people from the blissful grip of their summer holiday. Even in the event of an alien invasion, I’d have to be forcibly winched upwards off my sun-lounger, sunglasses still smugly plastered on, hand death-gripping a sweating goblet of Aperol.

But there are always special case exceptions. And for Laura Harrier, hers came in the form of an unexpected phone call while holidaying with mates in Greece, on the beach and with a glass of rosé in hand, no less (I mean, you really, really have to commend her for her willpower). But then again, not every work call has visionary director Spike Lee on the end of the line, personally requesting an audition for his new film, last year’s Oscar-nominated satirical scorcher BlacKkKlansman.

“I honestly thought someone was prank calling me, it was so crazy,” Harrier’s eyes glitter as she recalls, the Chicago-native perched next to me on a sofa in a warehouse in Hackney. “I was like: ‘Amazing Spike, I’ll be back in New York next week, I’m so excited!’ And he was like: ‘No, I need to see you Thursday, vacation’s over, bye.’” There’s no arguing with that. And a few long flights later and straight from the airport, the actress was doing an improv reading with the man himself. The very next day she was offered the role of Patrice Dumas, a fiery Black Power student activist and love interest in the stranger-than-fiction drama, based on a true story about the undercover police infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan in the 70s. Greece can wait. Racism, police brutality, the harassment of women of colour, corruption – BlacKkKlansman is unapologetically brazen in its subject matter and approach, yet chokingly funny and razor-sharp. Although nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, the Academy award ultimately went to controversy-shrouded Green Book, with reports emerging of a furious Spike Lee attempting to leave the ceremony unable to conceal his dismay. “I don’t disagree with Spike, you know?” Harrier lowers her voice diplomatically to a baritone growl when I quiz her on it. “I think the consensus was more about the film that won. But yeah, I’m with Spike.”

Harrier has always been vocal about her views when it comes to perceived injustice in the industry. When I ask her about perpetual media shock surrounding the success of all-black cast films like Us or Black Panther, there is a controlled irritation in her tone: “I mean it seems like it’s always a big surprise when movies with black people do well. But clearly audiences want to see movies with people of colour in them.” She also talks candidly and openly about underrepresentation, but recognises that she’s entered the industry at a time of growth and change. “I’m really lucky to have come around at a time that a lot more changes are being created,” she nods. “I’m the love interest in Spider-Man! I mean, had it been five years earlier… but there’s still progress to be made.”

And there’s no two ways around it. When you star in one of the biggest Hollywood superhero blockbusters of the last decade, there are going to be certain expectations thrust upon you. “It’s such a weighty word, role model,” Harrier tentatively drags out the words. “But I just want to try and be authentic and be a good person. And just seeing someone who looks like yourself on screen is so important, like I didn’t have that growing up. With the exception of Fresh Prince. So that’s been really awesome when young girls come up to you and say that they never thought they’d see themselves in a movie like that, that’s why representation matters.”

Harrier plays high school student Liz Allan opposite Tom Holland in the Marvel reboot, alongside her contemporary Zendaya. When I ask if there’s ever an element of competition between her and the sublimely talented cohort of young black actresses coming up right now (Zendaya, Yara Shahidi and Letitia Wright to name a few) — especially when Harrier has expressed the lack of meaty roles in Hollywood — she is horrified at the thought. “No! We support each other and push each other up and it feels like this really great collaboration of sisterhood. I’m super grateful for all those girls in the industry. It’s really helpful to have people you can talk this stuff about and ask advice, and you know, share experiences. It’s so nice to not be in it alone.”

Harrier first began her career travelling the world as an international fashion model, later moving to New York to study acting when revered director Steve McQueen cast her in the pilot for a HBO miniseries he was making at the time. Even though it was scrapped before it hit screens, it gave her the invaluable confidence and experience to secure a score of television roles. She then did the unexpected: making the leap from soap opera to superhero with Spider-Man, which is returning for a sequel this year with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Whether Harrier is reprising her role is so far unconfirmed and well under wraps.

Coming up, Harrier has tear-jerking drama Balance Not Symmetry, which she stars in as the lead alongside her real-life friend Bria Vinaite (The Florida Project) as a privileged student who finds herself reevaluating her life after the loss of her dad. Soundtracked by Scottish rock legend Biffy Clyro and shot in Glasgow, the film is heavily based on improv, once again showcasing the actress’ quick- thinking ingenuity, and sees her “cry a lot”, on-screen and a bit off-screen, she tells me.

The nature of Hollywood means that three-dimensional, more complex visible roles in the industry are usually somewhat of a reward following years of slogging, but it’s clearly an art of acquisition that Harrier has managed to perfect in a very short space of time. Which also means a jetpack-fuelled thrust directly into the spotlight and out of obscurity. It has its ups. On her biggest pinch- me moment, she giggles, “I was on the dance floor at the after-party [at the Oscars] and I look over and it’s only just Jay-Z and Beyoncé dancing together next to me. I was like, what the fuck, this is not real life.” And of course, some downs: “It sucks when you’re leaving hot yoga, and you look like garbage and someone asks you for a selfie. And people’s interest in your personal life is strange. But I don’t know, stuff’s good.”

“Good” is an understatement for an actress that can put no foot wrong right now, summoning the awe of esteemed auteurs, and springing from fantastic role to now lead. But “good” is also a suitable description coming from the mouth of a supremely talented, but commendably humble actress clearly operating in the big leagues but managing to stay grounded. It’s surely a recipe for success. And if it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for us.