QUELIN SEPULVEDA

‘Dodie-Bull’ destroyed denim dress by HAIKURE

“There's so many little pieces of advice that people have given me over the years or I have heard

that I didn't realise at the time how many times I would go back to it. And that is one of them

actually, you know.”

Words by Zeynep Kerpisci

Photography by Lewis Robinson. Styled by Alton Hetariki. Hair by Patrick Wilson at The Wall Group using Living Proof Haircare. Make-up by Joe Pickering at Arch the Agency using Haus Labs. Quelin Sepulveda appears courtesy of Public Eye Communications.

Quelin Sepulveda, an actor with a rich British-Brazilian heritage, brings a unique blend of

cultural influences to her work. Though she has long identified with her Brazilian and

Chilean roots—her father hailing from Chile and her early life shaped in Brazil—it is only in

recent years that she has also embraced a distinctly British identity. Reflecting on her

heritage and its impact, Quelin explains, "I feel like it's so bizarre. I feel like it might have

influenced me in ways that I am not even aware of. Because it's just who I am... I will say

it's very interesting as well to be referred to as British Brazilian because my dad is from

Chile. And so I've always felt more Brazilian and Chilean. And it's only been in recent years

that I've actually really, I feel quite, you know, British as well. But in terms of life, it

influences my every day in my perspective on life." Her diverse background not only

enriches her view of life but also informs her approach to acting—prioritising movement

and physical expression as much as emotional connection.

left: Cross-stitch vest top by BODE. ‘Orbit’ double classic hoop earrings by MISHO. right: Denim patchwork coat by CRITTER LONDON. ‘Arno’ sandals by IZIE

On her days off, Quelin values the comfort of returning home and unwinding with her

beloved dogs, Apollo and Freddy. "The first thing that I want to do is just go home and

just hang out on the sofa with my dogs," she shares. These quiet moments, combined

with walks and dinners with friends, allow her to decompress and reconnect with the

simple pleasures of life.

In her latest venture, Quelin stars in the action film Havoc alongside Tom Hardy,

portraying Mia—a determined, street-smart Puerto Rican American who finds herself in

over her head when a risky job goes awry. Drawn to the project by the formidable

combination of Gareth Evans’ direction and Tom Hardy’s presence, she recalls, "I was

already obsessed with The Raid by Gareth Evans when I was in my teens. So when I saw

that combination, I was like, Oh my gosh, this is going to be absolute carnage. I want to

be a part of this so badly." For Quelin, the character’s blend of heart-led intuition and

pragmatic resilience was irresistible.

‘Fernando’ leopard print faux fur jacket by JACQUEMUS. ‘Dodie-Bull’ destroyed denim dress by HAIKURE

Working closely with Tom Hardy, Quelin received invaluable guidance during the filming

process. "He really took me under his wing on our very first day on set," she recalls. Their

off-camera conversations and spontaneous interactions helped her settle into the intense

environment, with Tom advising her to simply trust her instincts: "The trust you got and

just jump in, you know what you're doing, trust your instinct. And it was honestly the best

advice.”

Havoc marked a departure from her previous roles, demanding a new level of physicality

and preparation. With extensive stunt training and choreographed sequences, Quelin

drew on her background in dance to embrace the challenges of the action scenes. "I was

just going to learn and just ask questions. I wanted to be on set, even when I wasn’t

filming," she explains, highlighting how observing seasoned professionals, including

Tom’s stunt double, helped her absorb the technical nuances of the production. The

supportive environment on set made even the rigorous stunt tests an enjoyable and

enlightening experience.

left: ‘Jaime’ blazer, denim shirt, mini-skirt and tie all by ELV DENIM. ‘Artemis 90’ heels by STUDIO AMELIA. Cotton ribbed socks by FALKE. right: ‘Dodie-Bull’ destroyed denim dress by HAIKURE

Despite thorough preparation, Quelin found the ever-changing nature of film sets to be a

formidable challenge. "You might prepare something, you might think the scene is going

to go in a particular way, but then things change so quickly," she notes, emphasising the

need for adaptability. One memorable moment came when Tom discovered her interest in

martial arts and invited her to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the stunt team—a

spontaneous opportunity that not only underscored the collaborative spirit of the set but

also ignited her passion for the discipline.

For audiences, Havoc promises a relentless, gritty ride filled with unexpected twists.

Describing the film as "absolute carnage," Quelin assures that the on-screen violence is

as fun as it is intense—a fitting expectation for a Gareth Evans project paired with the raw

energy of Tom Hardy.

Beyond her on-screen endeavours, Quelin reveals a few surprising facets of her

personality. A former drummer during her school days, she reminisces about her love for

playing the drums, even though constant relocations made it challenging to continue.

Growing up in a multilingual household also meant that Spanish only became a part of her

active vocabulary after moving to the UK at age ten—a skill honed out of necessity and

passion given her Chilean background.

left: Belted faux leather trench coat by NORMA KAMALI. Crystal embellished sheer dress by SIMONE ROCHA. Bandeau bra by SKIMS. ‘Cross Front 70’ heels by STUDIO AMELIA. right: Embroidered floral blouson jacket and maxi skirt by ASHISH. Warrior Tuxedo Mask 18k gold necklace by L’ATELIER NAWBAR. ‘Artemis 90’ heels by STUDIO AMELIA

Looking to the future, Quelin expresses an eagerness to collaborate with emerging

directors, drawn by the fresh perspectives they offer. She also mentions a desire to work

with actors like Pedro Pascal, noting their shared cultural ties could lead to a rewarding

creative partnership.

Reflecting on the lessons learned early in her career, she advises her younger self, "As

soon as you realise that it’s not personal, you're not going to take it personally," a mantra that

has helped her navigate the ups and downs of auditions and rejections. She also

emphasises that every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow, urging herself to

remain resilient and open to change. This perspective has not only bolstered her

confidence but also allowed her to approach each challenge with creativity and

determination. "There's so many little pieces of advice that people have given me over the

years or I have heard that I didn't realise at the time how many times I would go back to it.

And that is one of them actually, you know."

In a light-hearted final note, Quelin reveals her all-time favourite films. When asked to name

a few, she humorously declares the Toy Story trilogy as the best—"a hill I will die on”—

and Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass.

HAVOC releases globally via Netflix on the 25th of April

left: Cross-stitch vest top by BODE. Double link choker by MISHO. right: Rugby polo top and cotton handkerchief by LATE CHECKOUT