'My mum took the pressure off so I could follow my dreams'

Wunmi Mosaku has been nominated for her role as Hoodoo priestess Annie in Sinners

Travelling from Manchester to London on a £3.50 Megabus trip for an audition, Wunmi Mosaku remembered her mum's advice; "dream, and do what you feel is right".

Two decades later, Mosaku is in the running for best actress in a supporting role at The 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles in March for her role as Hoodoo priestess Annie in Sinners.

Her rise would not have been possible without her mother, who helped her pursue her acting dreams over an education "that's going to give you the most guaranteed job and security", she said.

"She let me explore and take my own risks and encouraged me to do so."

As a young child, Mosaku, who grew up in Manchester, always had her sights set on a career in acting but she credits her family with helping her to achieve her dreams.

"I couldn't have done this without my mum to start with, my siblings, now my husband and my daughter," she said.

"I just feel so grateful for their support but especially my mum, because she really took a risk.

"She let me explore and take my own risks and encouraged me to do so."

Mosaku's portrayal of Annie had been tipped for an Oscar since its release in April

She said she would always be thankful for her mother's support.

"First of all, it costs money and we didn't have a lot of money and she said she gave me my £30 cheque so I could audition for Rada [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art].

"I got paid £3.50 for the Megabus down for my audition and she let me go to London to do that.

"We're an immigrant family and sometimes you want to play it as safe as possible and you want to get the education that's going to give you the most guaranteed job and security that gives you freedom.

"And so she took that pressure off me and said 'just dream and do what you feel is right'.

"She's amazing."

Mosaku joined stars including Michael B Jordan, Jack O'Connell and Hailee Steinfeld in Sinners

From the age of seven to 18, Mosaku was also a member of the Manchester Girls Choir, describing her time there as "one of my most precious memories"

"I miss the camaraderie of 42 girls every week, meeting up and singing and that vibration in the room," she said.

"I'll always be grateful for my time with the choir."

Days after she received an Oscar nod for the role, Mosaku was nominated for best supporting actress in the Baftas.

She has already picked up a supporting actress nomination at the Actor Awards (formerly SAG).

"It's just been the best feeling ever because we really loved this film," said Mosaku, who has previously won a Bafta TV Award for her role as Gloria Taylor in the TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy.

"We really poured everything we had into it, and so the audiences showing up and showing so much love for the film last year was so overwhelming and so affirming.

"Now to have these nominations come in, it's just been the cherry on top."

The genre-defying film Sinners, written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler, follows Michael B.Jordan in a dual role as a pair of twins - named Smoke and Stack - as they defend their hometown from vampires in Mississippi in the 1930s.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.