Actress Lauren London, 38, revealed in an exclusive interview released on January 23 that she was not jumping at the idea of starring as Jonah Hill’s love interest in Netflix’s upcoming film You People.

The film, directed by Kenya Barris, is set to be a rom-com that intends to tackle themes of racism and navigating cultural differences in a relationship. London admitted that she was initially “apprehensive,” but her trust in director Barris convinced her. 

London said in the interview, “Before doing the movie, I was just apprehensive [if] this is a story I want to contribute to. I just wanted to make sure that is a story that I wanted to contribute to. I [also] asked them, ‘OK, well, why her and him?’ Because she was written like hella stylish, and he was like this… very low-key [guy].”

She continued to describe her vision for the relationship.

“So, to me, it had to be about their soul connection and not what we saw appearance-wise or [why] we would assume these two people would date. It was about them meeting, connecting and having a soul connection.”

London said that Barris made her feel safe and comfortable on set, so she went ahead with the film. 

“I felt very safe because Kenya is a friend of mine. I felt very protected and taken care of on this [You People] set. I think when you feel safe in any environment, you’re allowed to just flourish and blossom in that way. And for me, I was like an observer. I just took in all this talent and all these masters at their craft, and I was extremely humbled and grateful to be there and participate.”

Barris himself admitted that it was important for the film to star London, so he “begged” her to join the cast.

He explained, “The whole point of it was if I’m looking on Twitter, and I see Jonah Hill’s dating–certain white actors, I’d be like, ‘I’m not blown.’ I love Zazie Beetz, but if I saw [her with] Jonah, I wouldn’t be like, ‘What?’ [But] if I saw Jonah Hill was dating Lauren London, I would be like, ‘Hold on, what!?’ That’s the movie. That’s why she was so important.’

The Netflix film You People premiered on January 27 and stars Lauren London, Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Duchovny in leading roles.