Black British Actresses
by arpiakh | created - 25 Sep 2013 | updated - 25 Sep 2013 | PublicList of black British Actresses.
I was disappointed to see that many didn't have profile photos, since all will be familiar to anyone who watches British productions.
1. Sophie Okonedo
Actress | Hotel Rwanda
Sophie Okonedo is a British actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004).
Okonedo was born within London in 1968. Her parents were Henry Okonedo (1939-2009) and Joan Allman. Her father was British Nigerian ...
2. Thandiwe Newton
Actress | Crash
Thandiwe Newton was born in London. She is the daughter of Zimbabwean mother Nyasha, a health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and British father Nick Newton, who worked as a lab technician. She lived in Zambia until political unrest caused her family to move back to the UK, where she lived in ...
3. Naomie Harris
Actress | Moonlight
British actress Naomie Harris was born in London, England, the only child of television scriptwriter Lisselle Kayla. Her father is from Trinidad and her mother is from Jamaica. They separated before she was born, and Harris was raised by her mother and has no relationship with her father. She ...
4. Nikki Amuka-Bird
Actress | Jupiter Ascending
Amuka-Bird was born in Nigeria, but grew up in the UK and in Antigua. She abandoned her dancing aspirations after suffering a back injury. After attending LAMDA, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Whilst on tour with the RSC in Japan, she met her husband, actor Geoffrey Streatfield. In ...
5. Christine Adams
Actress | Tron: Legacy
Film and television actress Christine Adams was born in London, United Kingdom.
She starred on several British and American films and television series since early 2000s.
On television, she is known for roles as "Katherine Williams Osgood" on the British miniseries, NY-LON (2004); "Simone Hundin" on ...
6. Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Actress | Belle
Gugu Mbatha-Raw was born Gugulethu Sophia Mbatha in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England. Her father, Patrick Mbatha, is a Black South African doctor, and her mother, Anne Raw, is a Caucasian English nurse. Her parents separated when she was a year old, and she was brought up by her mother ...
7. Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Actress | Without a Trace
Marianne Raigipcien Jean-Baptiste is an English actress. She is known for her role in the 1996 comedy-drama film Secrets & Lies, for which she received acclaim and earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe and BAFTA Award in the same category. ...
8. Marsha Thomason
Actress | White Collar
Marsha Thomason is a British television and film actress who is known for playing Sara Evers in Disney's The Haunted Mansion, Naomi Dorrit on the ABC series Lost, FBI agent Diana Berrigan on the USA Network series White Collar, Francine Bridge on Sky's Cobra and DS Jenn Townsend in ITV crime series...
9. Freema Agyeman
Actress | Doctor Who
Freema Agyeman is a British actress who is known for playing Martha Jones in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who (2007-2010), Alesha Phillips in crime procedural drama Law & Order: UK (2009-2011), Amanita Caplan in the Netflix science fiction drama Sense8 (2015-2018), and Dr. Helen Sharpe in ...
10. Nina Sosanya
Actress | Love Actually
Born in London, with a Nigerian father, Nina trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and gained A-levels in Performing Arts. Soon she was appearing as Desdemona in "Othello", Olivia in "Twelfth Night" and Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", along with the title role in "Educating ...
11. Angel Coulby
Actress | Imagine Me & You
Angel Coulby is an English actress. She made her television debut in the BBC comedy 'Orrible. She is best known for portraying the character of Guinevere "Gwen" in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.
Angel grew up in north London, Finsbury Park, but moved to Edinburgh to attend the Queen Margaret ...
12. Ashley Madekwe
Actress | County Lines
Ashley Madekwe (born 6 December 1981) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as call girl Bambi in the ITV2 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, social climber Ashley Davenport on the ABC drama series Revenge and the witch Tituba in the WGN America series Salem.
Madekwe was born in South ...
13. Carmen Ejogo
Actress | Selma
Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in Kensington, London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother. Her television career began in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s, where she presented the children's series Saturday Disney (1990). Subsequently, she has had an acting career in the ...
14. Zawe Ashton
Actress | Velvet Buzzsaw
Zawe Ashton is an actor, writer and director.
Her role as Vod in Channel 4's "Fresh Meat" won her a cult following, and the diversity of her work across television, film, and stage has attracted numerous accolades and awards.
Most recently, Zawe starred on Broadway in the critically acclaimed revival...
15. Rakie Ayola
Actress | Been So Long
Rakie Ayola was born on May 11, 1968 in Cardiff, Wales, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Been So Long (2018), Twelfth Night (2018) and No Offence (2015). She is married to Adam Smethurst. They have two children.
16. Clare-Hope Ashitey
Actress | Children of Men
Clare-Hope Ashitey was born on February 12, 1987 in Enfield, Middlesex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Children of Men (2006), Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned (2015) and Shooting Dogs (2005).
17. Pippa Bennett-Warner
Actress | Gangs of London
Pippa Bennett-Warner was born on July 23, 1988 in Banbury, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Gangs of London (2020), See How They Run (2022) and Real (2019).
18. Antonia Thomas
Actress | The Good Doctor
Antonia Thomas is an English actress. She is best known for her work in the TV series Misfits, Lovesick and the The Good Doctor.
She studied for a Bachelor of Arts in acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2009, and then joined the National Youth Theatre.
Her acting debut was in ...
19. Adjoa Andoh
Actress | Invictus
Adjoa Andoh was born on January 14, 1963 in Bristol, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for Invictus (2009), Bridgerton (2020) and Fractured (2019). She has been married to Howard Cunnell since March 2001. They have two children.
20. Lenora Crichlow
Actress | Fast Girls
Lenora Crichlow was born on January 4, 1985 in Westminster, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Fast Girls (2012), Sugar Rush (2005) and Being Human (2008).
21. Andi Osho
Actress | Blue Lights
Andi was born in Stratford, East London and attended Sarah Bonnell Comprehensive School. She studied drama at Barking College of Technology where peers included Razaaq Adoti (Amistad (1997), Black Hawk Down (2001)), Sarah Webb, lead singer of acid jazz group D Influence and Idris Elba (Pacific Rim ...
22. Angela Griffin
Actress | Waterloo Road
Angela Griffin was born on July 19, 1976 in Cottingley, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK. She is an actress and director, known for Waterloo Road (2006), Help (2021) and Crime (2021). She has been married to Jason Milligan since July 27, 2006. They have two children.
23. Alisha Bailey
Actress | Domino Day
Alisha Bailey was born in London, England, UK. Alisha is an actor and writer, known for Domino Day (2024), Doctor Who (2005) and Grace (2021).
24. Joy Richardson
Actress | Children of Men
Joy Richardson is known for Children of Men (2006), DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016) and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023).
25. Phina Oruche
Actress | The Forsaken
Completed shooting Taken Down a six part drama for RTE in Dublin. playing the role of dastardly Marvellous which garnered critical acclaim. Her one woman show called Identity Crisis debuted at International Edinburgh Festival and NYC Soho's Fringe festival garnered great five star reviews. She ...
26. Letitia Wright
Actress | Black Panther
With a career spanning over a decade, Emmy-nominated Letitia Wright has cemented her position as one of the industry's most captivating young actresses. From her breakout role as ambitious Summerhouse resident Chantelle in Top Boy, to her critically acclaimed performance as Nish in Black Mirror, ...
27. Nathalie Emmanuel
Actress | Fast & Furious 7
Nathalie Emmanuel is an English actress, known for her role as Missandei on the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2011) and Ramsey in Furious 7 (2015).
Nathalie was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, to a father of Saint Lucian and English descent and a mother of Dominican origin. Nathalie ...
28. Nicola Hughes
Actress | Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Nicola Hughes was born on May 10, 1975 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021), Death in Paradise (2011) and National Theatre Live: Allelujah! (2018).
29. Lorraine Burroughs
Actress | DCI Banks
Lorraine Burroughs was born in 1981 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK. She is an actress, known for DCI Banks (2010), Doctor Who (2005) and Fast Girls (2012).
30. Janice Acquah
Actress | Secrets & Lies
Janice Acquah was born in February 1967 in Ghana. She is an actress, known for Secrets & Lies (1996), Sherlock (2010) and Miss You Already (2015).
31. Mona Hammond
Actress | 10,000 BC
Mona Hammond was born Mavis Chin to a Chinese father and Jamaican mother. She came to Britain in 1959 on a scholarship to work with an architects firm but was soon involved in black theatre productions with contemporaries such as Lloyd and Barry Reckord and Charles Hyatt, under the name Mona Chin. ...
32. Wunmi Mosaku
Actress | His House
Wunmi Mosaku was born on July 31, 1986 in Zaria, Nigeria. She is an actress, known for His House (2020), Lovecraft Country (2020) and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
33. Natalie Gumede
Actress | Titans
Natalie Gumede was born on March 20, 1984 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Titans (2018), C.B. Strike (2017) and Doctor Who (2005).
34. Leah Hackett
Actress | Hollyoaks
Leah Hackett was born on August 15, 1985 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Hollyoaks (1995), Coronation Street (1960) and Good Cop (2012).
35. Caroline Chikezie
Actress | Æon Flux
Caroline Chikezie was born in London, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Æon Flux (2005), Eragon (2006) and The Double Deal (2014).
36. Kéllé Bryan
Actress | EastEnders
Kéllé Bryan was born on March 12, 1975 in London, England, UK. She is an actress and talent agent, known for EastEnders (1985), Significant Other (2023) and The Brothers (2009). She has been married to Jay Gudgeon since September 17, 2010. They have two children.
37. Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Actress | Dune
Sharon Duncan-Brewster was born on February 8, 1976 in London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Dune (2021), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Enola Holmes 2 (2022).
38. Velile Tshabalala
Actress | Utopia
Velile Tshabalala was born on January 24, 1984 in Whitechapel, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Utopia (2013), Doctor Who (2005) and Kerching! (2003).
39. Jane Wall
Actress | Beneath the Blue
Television, film and theatre actress best known for her 4 seasons on Bafta award winning drama, "The Bill". British/Nigerian actress raised in London, United Kingdom. Jane trained at Mountview Theatre School and The School of the Science of Acting. Jane lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 2 ...
40. Diane Parish
Actress | The Bill
Diane Parish is an award winning actress born in Chelsea, London, UK. She is best known for playing Denise Fox in the BBC soap EastEnders (1985) since 2006 and for previously playing DC Eva Sharpe in the ITV drama The Bill (1984) from 2002-2004. In 2002 Diane won an RTS Television Award for best ...
41. Sarah Ozeke
Actress | Trial & Retribution
Sarah Ozeke is known for Trial & Retribution (1997), Twisted Tales (2005) and White Teeth (2002).
42. Jaye Griffiths
Actress | Bugs
Jaye Griffiths was born on September 24, 1963. She is an actress, known for Bugs (1995), Doctor Who (2005) and Silent Witness (1996). She is married to Paul Bezodis.
43. Doña Croll
Actress | Eastern Promises
Doña Croll was born on August 29, 1953 in Patty Hill, Hanover, Jamaica. She is an actress, known for Eastern Promises (2007), Love at First Sight (2023) and Doctor Who (2005).
44. Alicya Eyo
Actress | Bad Girls
Alicya Eyo was born on December 16, 1975 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK. She is an actress and director, known for Bad Girls (1999), Emmerdale Farm (1972) and Paradox (2009).
45. Josette Simon
Actress | Wonder Woman
Josette Simon was born on January 1, 1960 in Leicester, England. She is an actress, known for Wonder Woman (2017), Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) and Red Lights (2012). She was previously married to Mark Padmore.
46. Mojisola Adebayo
Actress | Silent Witness
Mojisola Adebayo was born on March 16, 1968 in South London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Silent Witness (1996), Fair City (1989) and The Bill (1984).
47. Larissa Wilson
Director | Shift
Larissa Wilson was born on May 5, 1989 in Bristol, England, UK. She is an actress and director, known for Shift (2020), Tormented (2009) and Skins (2007).
48. Bunmi Mojekwu
Actress | Misfits
Bunmi Mojekwu was born on February 10, 1989 in Brixton, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Misfits (2009), EastEnders (1985) and EastEnders: E20 (2010).
49. Belinda Owusu
Actress | EastEnders
Belinda Owusu was born on April 19, 1989 in Hackney, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for EastEnders (1985), EastEnders: E20 (2010) and Trigger Point (2022).
50. Ayesha Antoine
Actress | Artemis Fowl
Ayesha Antoine was born on May 8, 1981. She is an actress and writer, known for Artemis Fowl (2020), The Sea Beast (2022) and Doctor Who (2005).
51. Kehinde Fadipe
Actress | Misfits
Kehinde Fadipe is a British-Nigerian actress and writer. She is best known for playing 'Melissa/Curtis' as a series regular on Misfits (Channel Four). She has also starred in Body Farm (BBC) and as a lead in 'Of Mary' (dir. Adrian Lester).
She has worked onstage at The Almeida Theatre (Ruined by ...
52. Tanya Moodie
Actress | Empire of Light
Tanya Moodie was born on April 16, 1972 in Canada. She is an actress, known for Empire of Light (2022), Motherland (2016) and A Discovery of Witches (2018).
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