Cynthia Erivo on choosing roles: ‘I run towards a challenge’—but only when it feels right

From “Dracula” to “Prima Facie,” Erivo says instinct plays a major role in deciding which projects she accepts.

Cynthia Erivo says she turns down acting offers when a project does not feel right for her. The “Wicked” star, whose recent work includes “Prima Facie” and a one-woman “Dracula” production, discussed those decisions during an appearance at the BFI London Film Festival.

“I feel like I have an internal metronome that tells me when something is right for me, and when something is not,” she said during an Oct. 12 Screen Talk, People reported, citing The Hollywood Reporter.

“Prima Facie,” a legal drama, earned a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Erivo plays Tessa, a London defense barrister whose view of the justice system changes after she is sexually assaulted by a colleague. The film is adapted from Suzie Miller’s stage play.

Earlier this year, Erivo played 23 characters in the West End’s one-woman production of “Dracula,” which ran from February to May. During the run, she halted a performance after spotting an audience member recording, TheGrio reported.

“I think I run towards a challenge,” Erivo told People at the Toronto festival. Looking back on “Dracula,” she called the experience unlike anything she had done before and said she was proud to have completed it. She was less certain about whether she would attempt a similar production anytime soon.

Cynthia Erivo is scheduled to headline a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 15. She previously performed there in 2021 and 2025 and said she had been testing songs for her setlist during other outdoor shows.

Her upcoming film slate includes “Children of Blood and Bone,” scheduled for Jan. 15, 2027, “Karoshi” on Jan. 29 and “Bad Fairies” on May 21. Erivo told People that some of her recent opportunities had fulfilled long-held hopes, while others had surprised her but was grateful for all of them.