Ambika Mod, known for her roles in This Is Going to Hurt and One Day, has candidly discussed her mental health struggles as she joins the cast of Black Doves season 2 on Netflix. The 31-year-old English actress and comedian, of Indian heritage from Hertfordshire, plays agent Laila Joshi, a quick-witted and chaotic character in the new series.
Career Highlights and Breakthrough
Mod began her career as a personal assistant at Condé Nast while performing comedy sketches. After appearing in several short films, her breakthrough came as Shruti Acharya, a struggling junior doctor opposite Ben Whishaw in This Is Going to Hurt. She has since earned recognition, including a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in 2024 and a nod from The Sunday Times as one of the 25 most inspiring people aged 30 and under in the UK and Ireland. Harper's Bazaar UK also named her one of its 2024 Women of the Year.
Honest Talk on Mental Health
In 2022, Mod told The Times about seeking therapy for depression and anxiety, as well as dissociating and repressing her emotions. She shared: "I don't remember a lot of 2019 because I was cut off emotionally from everything. When you cut yourself off from the pain and the hurt and the loneliness, you also cut yourself off from every positive feeling that you could experience. That sort of anhedonia — the lack of pleasure, no matter what you do — is something I experienced."
Mod also spoke about the "imposter syndrome" she faced during her next big break in Netflix's adaptation of One Day, admitting she almost passed on the role and was reluctant to audition for the part of Emma. She previously told Glamour: "I always have imposter syndrome, always. Even when I'm not even doing anything remarkable. I feel like I shouldn't be here, and everyone's looking at me and thinking I'm an imposter. I just thought it'd be a massive waste of everyone's time if I even entertained it."
Black Doves Season 2
In the new season, Mod's character Laila Joshi is described as a rogue operative with a sharp tongue. Mod opened up about her character's casual approach to killing, saying: "She's quite chill about what she does, her vibe is that it's just a job. She could just as well be an accountant." The series sees Helen Webb, played by Keira Knightley, return as the Prime Minister's wife balancing life with her role as an undercover spy. Black Doves season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
