The Belle of the ball! Gugu Mbatha-Raw stands out in a green satin gown as she joins co-star Sam Reid at the New York premiere of slavery epic
She’s been a supportive actress to Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland and David Tennant, but on Monday night, it was Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s turn to step into the limelight.
The British star takes on the lead role in period drama Belle, and she certainly looked the belle of the ball in her green satin Grecian-style gown, by Lanvin, at the New York premiere of the new film.
Gugu was joined by her co-star and onscreen love interest Sam Reid, at the screening of the movie that tells the tale of a mixed race woman who could well have been one of the catalysts in stopping the slave trade in Britain.
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Historic love: Onscreen lovers Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sam Reid attend an intimate dinner after the Belle premiere in New York
The actress - whose previous credits include Larry Crowne and TV shows Touch and Doctor Who - enhanced her glamorous look with gold and yellow jewellery while styling her curls into a chic updo.
Sam - who will feature in the upcoming films Posh and Serena, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper - went for a modern red carpet look by foregoing a tie with his white shirt and blue suit.
Mbatha-Raw brings Dido's story to light, one that is filled with racial prejudice, social standing and idealistic endeavours in in the 18th century.
Epic: The British stars bring a tale of slavery and social change to light in the period drama based on the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle
Stunning: Gugu wore a green Grecian-style dress by Lanvin to the event held at Clement in The Peninsula Hotel
Dido was the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay, but raised by her aristocratic great-uncle, the Lord Chief Justice and 1st Earl of Mansfield, William Murray and his wife alongside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray.
Being part of such a noble family, Belle was accustomed to the finer things in life, but was still prevented from engaging in traditional social activities with her white family and acquaintances because of the colour of her skin.
But after meeting a young abolitionist John Davinier, played by Sam Reid, they together work to persuade Lord Mansfield to make a ruling in a slavery case that would become a significant step in recognising the illegality of slavery, and towards the abolition of it in the British Empire in 1834.
Women in film: Gugu Mbatha-Raw poses with Belle director Amma Asante
Co-star: Miranda Richardson also attended the screening, and plays Lady Ashford in the film
The film is considered a historical fiction, and was inspired by a 1779 portrait of Belle and Elizabeth, which currently hangs at Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland.
Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson play Dido’s aunt and uncle Lord William and Lady Mary Murray, while Miranda Richardson plays Lady Ashford, the mother of potential suitors with their two nieces.
Tom Felton, Penelope Wilton, Matthew Goode and Sarah Gadon make up the supporting cast.
Guests: TV host Star Jones and actress Yaya DaCosta attended in colourful fashion
Historic fiction: The film is based on the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle who was taken in by her aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Mansfield, along with her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murral (played by Sarah Gadon) in 18th century Britain
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Amma Asante, the director of Belle, said: 'I think it would be disingenuous to believe her presence in the house didn't have some impact on him. It makes or a fascinating story to think that his love for this child opened his eyes.'
Miranda Richardson joined her co-stars at the New York premiere, wearing a brown puffball dress, while guests Yaya DaCosta and Star Jones opted for more colourful frocks.
Belle is released in the US on 2 May 2014 and in the UK on 13 June
Inspired: The film takes inspiration from a 1779 portrait of Dido and Lady Elizabeth
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2615733/Gugu-Mbatha-Raw-stands-satin-joins-star-Sam-Reid-New-York-premiere-Belle.html#ixzz30JQUWaEq
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