We're excited to introduce our new cosy series, Pillow Talk, where we'll be talking all things rest and relaxation with our interesting (and busy) guests. To kick things off, we're getting into bed with Bridgerton star, Martins Imhangbe. 

We visited the actor at home to chat about his career, his love for meditation and jazz, and his favourite ways to wind down while on stage or on set.

Can you tell us a bit about your career and how you got to where you are now? 

I've always been a fan of performing – whether that was in front of a classroom or just messing about with friends. After I finished drama school, I got an agent and started auditioning – mainly in theatre, although now I'm also doing TV. 

How did you prepare for your role as a boxer in Bridgerton?

I'm a big boxing fan; I love boxing training, I love the discipline it demands. I got this amazing role in Bridgerton, where I got to play Will Mondrich, who is loosely based on Bill Richmond, the first black boxing entrepreneur in London.

So, I actually had to do a lot of unlearning of my modern-day boxing habits, because back then it was bare-knuckled; it wasn't about form or technique, it was more of an endurance test – who could survive something like 44 rounds. I had a great boxing coach called Brian Nickels, God rest his soul.

What's it been like filming the show?

It's fun, it's very fun. You get driven to set and taken to your trailer, and you get to see your costume and be like 'Wow, I'm doing this,' you know. 

It's nice, because I've been on the show since the first season, it becomes a bit like school and seeing your classmates. And it's nice knowing that you're contributing to something that is beautiful, and it's given a lot of people comfort and joy. Yeah, it's a great feeling. 

 

"It's nice knowing that you're contributing to something that is beautiful, and it's given a lot of people comfort and joy."

  

How much downtime did you get during filming? How did you spend it? 

So we filmed eight episodes in four blocks, and you would get called into set as and when they were filming your parts, but sometimes you might have a couple of weeks off at a time.  

That's always a really great time for me to travel – to go to Atlanta to see my brother, or just go on a trip to break things up a bit. I love to explore and see the world. 

What does relaxation look like when filming? 

As soon as I walk through the door after a long day of shooting, I just want to chill. I just like to make a cup of tea and gather my thoughts. I'm really getting into meditating, which has helped me start my days, but also to unwind at the end of them.

 

"As soon as I walk through the door after a long day of shooting, I just want to chill. I just like to make a cup of tea and gather my thoughts."

 

Does your wind down look different when you're filming compared to when you're on stage?

Yeah, it's very different. When you're performing a play, you go through a whole character journey every time, so it takes a little while to get your head out of it and decompress. Last year, I was doing a play at the Hampstead Theatre, and it was about an hour's drive away, so I was able to listen to podcasts or some jazz to unwind on my way home. 

Whereas with filming, you do multiple takes or multiple versions of one particular scene, and so your days vary. Sometimes, we'll be filming a really emotional scene, and then the next day we'll film something like a ball scene, and it's a lot more relaxed and casual. So the overall emotional demand is less, and I don't always need as much time to step back out of character.

What's next in store for you? 

I'm doing season four of Bridgerton! Yeah, very excited about this new chapter and storyline. 

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Just being with friends. Food, drinks, laughter – lots of laughter – I love it.

Where's your favourite place to relax in your home? 

I've got a lovely hammock which I'm very happy I invested in. Yeah, I love being out there when the weather is nice. I sit out there for hours, drink tea and just enjoy.

What is your ultimate wind down moment? 

I try to put my phone away half an hour before bed and commit to reading a book, or take some time out for meditation. Even just for 10 minutes, it doesn't have to be long, but it gives me some time to reflect before bed.

Wrapping up with some quick-fire questions...

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird

My favourite relaxing scent is

Orange mist. 

My comfort food is…

My comfort food is actually a fruit. I love pears.

Do you have a comfort drink?

Coconut water.

To relax I listen to…

I love listening to jazz like when I'm working or when I'm relaxing.

Bath or shower?

Shower.

One pillow or two?

I think one if it's a good pillow. If it's a good, nice Bedfolk pillow, I think one.

Favourite thing to wear to bed?

Uh… not much.

What are you reading at the moment?

Currently, I’m reading The Artist' s Way.

My sheets make me feel…

Like a baby.