Dreamgirl Anika thinks Attenborough's No 1

The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency star Anika Noni Rose is an unlikely fan of a UK show – Planet Earth.

The 36-year-old American actress, who plays uptight secretary Mma Makutsi in the new BBC One drama, turns out to have a secret love of the David Attenborough narrated series.

"Even without the high definition it’s amazing," beams wildlife enthusiast Anika.

In real life, the beautiful star, who found film appearing alongside Beyonce in the film Dreamgirls, is very different to the dour Mma Makutsi.

She hopes that The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will give viewers a chance to see a different side of Africa.

"It is such a positive story of people making a life," she says. "I hope it allows the world to see Africa/Africans as people instead of an issue."

Anika’s also voicing Disney’s first black princess in their new animation, The Princess and the Frog, which is due for release next year. Talking about her fairytale part, she said: "Not only is she the first black princess, she’s the first American princess. We’ve never had an American princess."

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