Larissa Hope
Filmmaker, producer, actress, public speaker and neuroscience graduate
I started out as an actor at 17 before stepping away to focus on mental health and a growing passion for neuroscience. Now, I explore the connection between creativity, trauma, and healing through research, filmmaking, and public speaking. I also run a creative writing therapy group and volunteer in community support roles. My journey hasn’t been linear, but every step has shaped the work I do today.
I started my career as an actor at 17, playing Jal Fazer in Skins, before going on to work in TV and film alongside actors like Stephen Fry, Ruth Negga, and Joseph Marcell. After a few years in the industry, I stepped away—not because I lost interest, but because my mental health needed attention, and I found myself drawn to a new passion: understanding the brain.
That shift led me to study Creative Writing and Psychology at Kingston University, where I graduated with first-class honours, followed by an MSc in Neuroscience at King’s College London. I also completed a master’s-equivalent in Traumatic Stress Studies, focusing on how trauma affects the brain and how healing happens.
Despite moving into academia, I never left creativity behind. I became an award-winning filmmaker, telling stories that centre on survival, transformation, and the mind-body connection. I also founded a creative writing therapy group for women, offering a space to share and process their experiences through storytelling.
Beyond my research and creative work, I’ve always felt strongly about supporting others in practical ways. I’ve volunteered as a breastfeeding support worker, worked on local council policy to ensure tenants’ voices are heard, and helped visually impaired individuals regain independence through the My Guide programme.
Now, I balance neuroscience research, filmmaking, and public speaking, focusing on the link between creativity, mental health, and resilience. My path hasn’t been linear, but I’ve learned to embrace the detours—and I’m always excited to see where they lead next.
