Jump to content

Sophie Okonedo: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
m Script-assisted style fixes, script-assisted date audit and style fixes per MOS:NUM
 
(187 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|English actress}}
{{Short description|English actress and narrator (born 1968)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Sophie Okonedo
| name = Sophie Okonedo
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=100%| CBE}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=100%| CBE}}
| image = SophieOkonedo08TIFF.jpg
| image = Sophie Okonedo - IFFR 2015.jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption = Okonedo at the [[2008 Toronto International Film Festival]]
| caption = Okonedo in 2015
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1968|08|11}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1968|08|11}}
| birth_place = [[London]], England
| birth_place = London, England
| alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
| alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
| occupation = Actress and narrator
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|narrator}}
| years_active = 1991–present
| years_active = 1991–present
}}
}}
'''Sophie Okonedo''' (born 11 August 1968) is a British actress and narrator. The recipient of a [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]], she has been nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]], three [[BAFTA Television Awards|BAFTA TV Awards]], an [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy Award]], two [[Laurence Olivier Awards]], and a [[Golden Globe Award]]. She was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2010 Birthday Honours|2010]] and [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in [[2019 New Year Honours|2019]], both for services to drama.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59446 |date=12 June 2010 |page=12 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62507/supplement/N1|title=2019 New Year Honours List|date=29 December 2018|website=The London Gazette|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>
'''Sophie Okonedo''' {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=100%|CBE}} (born 11 August 1968) is a British actress and narrator. She began her film career in the British coming-of-age drama ''[[Young Soul Rebels]]'' (1991) before appearing in ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]'' (1995), and [[Stephen Frears]]'s ''[[Dirty Pretty Things (film)|Dirty Pretty Things]]'' (2002).


Having trained at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] she starred as [[Cressida]] in the 1999 [[Royal National Theatre]] production of ''[[Troilus and Cressida]]''. She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut portraying Ruth Younger in the 2014 revival of [[Lorraine Hansberry]]'s ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'' for which she won the [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play]]. She returned to Broadway as [[Elizabeth Proctor]] in the 2016 revival of [[Arthur Miller]]'s ''[[The Crucible]]'' for which she was nominated for her second Tony Award. She returned to the stage portraying [[Cleopatra]] from 2018 to 2019 in the National Theatre production of ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' for which she was nominated for the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress]].
Okonedo's [[breakthrough role|breakthrough performance]] came in 2004, when she co-starred in the film ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' as [[Tatiana Rusesabagina]], the wife of [[Rwanda]]n hotel manager and [[humanitarian]] [[Paul Rusesabagina]], portrayed by American actor [[Don Cheadle]]. For this role, she became the second Black female Briton to receive a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]] at the [[77th Academy Awards]] in 2005. She later received a [[Golden Globe Award]] nomination for the miniseries ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]'' (2006) and [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV Award]] nominations for the drama series ''[[Criminal Justice (TV series)|Criminal Justice]]'' (2009) and the television film ''Mrs. Mandela'' (2010). Her other film roles include ''[[Æon Flux (film)|Æon Flux]]'' (2005), ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]'' (2008), ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]'' (2008), and ''[[Christopher Robin (film)|Christopher Robin]]'' (2018).


She began her film career in the British coming-of-age drama ''[[Young Soul Rebels]]'' (1991) before appearing in ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]'' (1995), and [[Stephen Frears]]'s ''[[Dirty Pretty Things (film)|Dirty Pretty Things]]'' (2002). Her [[breakthrough role]] was as [[Tatiana Rusesabagina]] in ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' (2004) for which she received an [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]] nomination. She continued acting in films such as ''[[Æon Flux (film)|Æon Flux]]'' (2005), ''[[Martian Child]]'' (2007), ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]'' (2008), ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]'' (2008), ''[[Christopher Robin (film) |Christopher Robin]]'' (2018), ''[[Wild Rose (2018 film)|Wild Rose]]'' (2018), and ''[[Death on the Nile (2022 film)|Death on the Nile]]'' (2022).
On stage, Okonedo starred as [[Cressida]] in the 1999 [[Royal National Theatre]] production of ''[[Troilus and Cressida]]''. She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the 2014 revival of ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'' and received a [[Drama Desk Award]] nomination for [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play]] and won the [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play]] for her portrayal of Ruth Younger.


For her television work she earned [[Golden Globe Award]] nomination for the miniseries ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]'' (2006), three [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV Award]] nominations for ''Mrs. Mandela'' (2010), ''[[Criminal Justice (British TV series)|Criminal Justice]]'' (2010) and ''[[Criminal: UK]]'' (2021). She was also nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for her guest role in ''[[Ratched (TV series)|Ratched]]'' (2020). She is also known for ''[[Father & Son (TV serial)|Father & Son]]'' (2009), ''[[The Hollow Crown (TV series)|The Hollow Crown]]'' (2016), ''[[Wanderlust (British TV series)|Wanderlust]]'' (2018), and ''[[Flack (TV series)|Flack]]'' (2019–2020).
Okonedo was appointed an Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2010 Birthday Honours]], and Commander of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2019 New Year Honours]].


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
Okonedo was born on 11 August 1968<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www2.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=wy5H7xbZrv21zSjHQUj99Q&scan=1 |title=FreeBMD Entry Info |work=www2.freebmd.org.uk |year=2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/sophie-okonedo-the-best-is-yet-to-come-406911.html|title=David Bowie promises new music 'soon'|date=16 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/357381|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325234046/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/357381|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-03-25|title=Sophie Okonedo|work=BFI}}</ref> in London, the daughter of Joan (née Allman), a Jewish pilates teacher who was born in the [[East End of London]], and Henry Okonedo (1939–2009), a [[British Nigerian]]<ref name="Soloski">{{cite news|first=Alexis|last=Soloski|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/10/sophie-okonedo-interview-raisin-sun-denzel-washington-broadway|title=Sophie Okonedo on Broadway: 'We try out different things every night'|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 April 2014|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> who worked for the government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jul/16/question-time-sophie-okonedo|title=Question Time: Sophie Okonedo, star of Skin and Mrs Mandela|last=Pool|first=Hannah Azieb|date=15 July 2009|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/sophie-okonedo-on-her-way-from-wembley-1.53893|title=Sophie Okonedo: On her way from Wembley|last=Nathan|first=John|date=7 October 2016|website=The Jewish Chronicle|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stuart|last=Husband|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3563561/Sophie-Okonedo-the-resting-actress.html|title=Sophie Okonedo: the resting actress|work=The Telegraph|date=23 November 2008|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> Okonedo's maternal grandparents, who spoke [[Yiddish]], were from families that had emigrated from Poland and Russia. Okonedo was raised in her mother's Jewish religion.<ref name="dec07ref">{{cite news|last=Franks|first=Alan|title=Sophie Okonedo does the twist|work=The Times |location=UK |date=8 December 2007|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sophie-okonedo-does-the-twist-26c20ph5l7k|access-date=8 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sophie-okonedo-fame-here-i-come-4523.html|title=Sophie Okonedo: Fame, here I come|work=The Independent|date=4 March 2005}}</ref><ref name="feb05ref">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/feb/20/awardsandprizes.film|title='I guess I'm up for grabs now'|date=20 February 2005|work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=16 July 2009 | first=Liz | last=Hoggard}}</ref> When she was five years old, her father left the family,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2005/02/21/sophies-choice-some-bet-hotel-rwanda-actress-will-grab-oscar-rwanda-actress-may-be-an-oscar-upset/|title=SOPHIE'S CHOICE – SOME BET 'HOTEL RWANDA' ACTRESS WILL GRAB OSCAR; 'RWANDA' ACTRESS MAY BE AN OSCAR UPSET|last=Lumenick|first=Lou|date=21 February 2005|work=New York Post|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> and she was brought up in relative poverty by her single mother ("but we always had books", she has said).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/movies_theater_tv_and_music/Interfaith_Celebrities_The_Jewish_Mermaid.shtml|title=Interfaith Celebrities The Jewish Mermaid – InterfaithFamily}}</ref>
Okonedo was born on 11 August 1968<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www2.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=wy5H7xbZrv21zSjHQUj99Q&scan=1 |title=FreeBMD Entry Info |work=www2.freebmd.org.uk |year=2014 |access-date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/sophie-okonedo-the-best-is-yet-to-come-406911.html|title=David Bowie promises new music 'soon'|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=16 July 2014|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925150813/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/sophie-okonedo-the-best-is-yet-to-come-406911.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/357381|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325234046/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/357381|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-03-25|title=Sophie Okonedo|work=BFI}}</ref> in London, the daughter of Joan (née Allman), a Jewish [[Pilates]] teacher who was born in the [[East End of London]], and Henry Okonedo (1939–2009), a [[British Nigerian]]<ref name="Soloski">{{cite news|first=Alexis|last=Soloski|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/10/sophie-okonedo-interview-raisin-sun-denzel-washington-broadway|title=Sophie Okonedo on Broadway: 'We try out different things every night'|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 April 2014|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> who worked for the government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/jul/16/question-time-sophie-okonedo|title=Question Time: Sophie Okonedo, star of Skin and Mrs Mandela|last=Pool|first=Hannah Azieb|date=15 July 2009|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/sophie-okonedo-on-her-way-from-wembley-1.53893|title=Sophie Okonedo: On her way from Wembley|last=Nathan|first=John|date=7 October 2016|website=The Jewish Chronicle|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stuart|last=Husband|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3563561/Sophie-Okonedo-the-resting-actress.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3563561/Sophie-Okonedo-the-resting-actress.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sophie Okonedo: the resting actress|work=The Telegraph|date=23 November 2008|access-date=21 May 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Okonedo's maternal grandparents, who spoke [[Yiddish]], were from families that had emigrated from Poland and Russia. Okonedo was raised in her mother's Jewish faith.<ref name="dec07ref">{{cite news|last=Franks|first=Alan|title=Sophie Okonedo does the twist|work=The Times |location=UK |date=8 December 2007|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sophie-okonedo-does-the-twist-26c20ph5l7k|access-date=8 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sophie-okonedo-fame-here-i-come-4523.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sophie-okonedo-fame-here-i-come-4523.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sophie Okonedo: Fame, here I come|work=The Independent|date=4 March 2005}}</ref><ref name="feb05ref">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/feb/20/awardsandprizes.film|title='I guess I'm up for grabs now'|date=20 February 2005|work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=16 July 2009 | first=Liz | last=Hoggard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/movies_theater_tv_and_music/Interfaith_Celebrities_The_Jewish_Mermaid.shtml|title=Interfaith Celebrities The Jewish Mermaid – InterfaithFamily|date=16 January 2007}}</ref>


Okonedo was raised in the [[Chalkhill Estate]], part of the [[Wembley Park]] district in the [[London Borough of Brent]].<ref name="Soloski"/>
Okonedo was raised in the [[Chalkhill Estate]], part of the [[Wembley Park]] district in the [[London Borough of Brent]].<ref name="Soloski"/> She then trained at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]].<ref>[https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles?aos=acting&yr=1990&fn=sophie&sn=okonedo RADA website entry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928013435/http://www.rada.org/vacancies/index.html |date=28 September 2007 }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Okonedo trained at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]].<ref>[https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles?aos=acting&yr=1990&fn=sophie&sn=okonedo RADA website entry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928013435/http://www.rada.org/vacancies/index.html |date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> She has worked in a variety of media including film, television, theatre and audio drama. She performed in ''[[Scream of the Shalka]]'', a [[webcast]] based on the [[BBC]] television series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' as [[List of companions in Doctor Who spin-offs#Alison Cheney|Alison Cheney]], a [[companion (Doctor Who)|companion]] of [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]]. As well as providing the character's voice, Okonedo's likeness was used for the animation of the character. In 2010, Okonedo portrayed Liz Ten (Queen Elizabeth X) in the BBC TV series ''Doctor Who'' episodes "[[The Beast Below]]" and again briefly in "[[The Pandorica Opens]]".
She has worked in a variety of media including film, television, theatre and audio drama. She performed in ''[[Scream of the Shalka]]'', a [[webcast]] based on the [[BBC]] television series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' as [[List of companions in Doctor Who spin-offs#Alison Cheney|Alison Cheney]], a [[companion (Doctor Who)|companion]] of [[Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]]. As well as providing the character's voice, Okonedo's likeness was used for the animation of the character. In 2010, Okonedo portrayed Liz Ten (Queen Elizabeth X) in the BBC TV series ''Doctor Who'' episodes "[[The Beast Below]]" and again briefly in "[[The Pandorica Opens]]".


Okonedo played the role of Jenny in [[Danny Brocklehurst]]'s [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV Award]] nominated episode of [[Paul Abbott]]'s series ''[[Clocking Off]]''. She also played the role of Tulip Jones in the film ''[[Stormbreaker (film)|Stormbreaker]]'' (2006) and Nancy in the television adaptation of ''[[Oliver Twist (2007 miniseries)|Oliver Twist]]'' (2007). She is also known for playing the role of the Wachati Princess in ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]'' (1995).
Okonedo played the role of Jenny in [[Danny Brocklehurst]]'s [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA TV Award]] nominated episode of [[Paul Abbott]]'s series ''[[Clocking Off]]''. She also played the role of Tulip Jones in the film ''[[Stormbreaker (film)|Stormbreaker]]'' (2006) and Nancy in the television adaptation of ''[[Oliver Twist (2007 miniseries)|Oliver Twist]]'' (2007). She is also known for playing the role of the Wachati Princess in ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]'' (1995). In October 2017, [[Michael Caton-Jones]] stated that, in 1998, he had chosen Okonedo to star in ''[[B. Monkey]]''. However, the film's producer, [[Harvey Weinstein]], banned this because the actress did not meet his personal sexual preference.<ref name="2017-10-17">[http://www.vulture.com/2017/10/director-says-weinstein-recast-actress-who-wasnt-f-ckable.html?wpsrc=nymag Director Says Harvey Weinstein Recast the Lead in His Film Because the Actress Wasn't 'F*ckable'], Jackson McHenry, Vulture.com, 17 October 2017</ref>


She was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] in the category of [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' (2004) and nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award]] for a Lead Actress in a Miniseries for her work in ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]'' (2006).
She was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] in the category of [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' (2004) and nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award]] for a Lead Actress in a Miniseries for her work in ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]'' (2006). She played alongside [[Queen Latifah]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Dakota Fanning]] as May Boatwright, a woman who struggles with depression, in the film ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]'' (2008); opposite [[Sam Neill]] and [[Alice Krige]] as [[Sandra Laing]] in ''[[Skin (2009 film)|Skin]]'' (2009); and portrayed [[Winnie Mandela]] in the BBC drama ''Mrs. Mandela'' broadcast in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news

She played alongside [[Queen Latifah]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Dakota Fanning]] as May Boatwright, a woman who struggles with depression, in the film ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]'' (2008); opposite [[Sam Neill]] and [[Alice Krige]] as [[Sandra Laing]] in ''[[Skin (2009 film)|Skin]]'' (2009), and portrayed [[Winnie Mandela]] in the BBC drama ''Mrs. Mandela'' broadcast in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/11/bbc-commissions-winnie-mandela-drama
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/11/bbc-commissions-winnie-mandela-drama
|title=BBC commissions Winnie Mandela drama
|title=BBC commissions Winnie Mandela drama
Line 44: Line 42:
|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
|work=The Guardian}}</ref>


In 2014 she appeared on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] as Ruth Younger in the revival of ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]''. She won the [[Tony Award]], Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for this role, beating out co-star and fellow nominee [[Anika Noni Rose]].<ref name=":0">Staff. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192102-Just-the-Winners-Please-Who-Won-the-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards?tsrc=nx "Just the Winners, Please: Who Won the 68th Annual Tony Awards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140542/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192102-Just-the-Winners-Please-Who-Won-the-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards?tsrc=nx |date=14 July 2014 }} playbill.com, 8 June 2014</ref><ref>Gioia, Michael.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192234-The-American-Dream-Tony-Winning-Revival-of-A-Raisin-in-the-Sun-Recoups "The "American Dream": Tony-Winning Revival of 'A Raisin in the Sun' Recoups"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165141/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192234-The-American-Dream-Tony-Winning-Revival-of-A-Raisin-in-the-Sun-Recoups |date=14 July 2014 }} playbill.com, 10 June 2014</ref> In 2016, Okonedo returned to Broadway in [[Ivo van Hove]]'s production of [[Arthur Miller]]'s ''[[The Crucible]]'' at the [[Walter Kerr Theatre]] as [[Elizabeth Proctor]] opposite [[Bill Camp]], [[Tavi Gevinson]], [[Jason Butler Harner]], [[Ciarán Hinds]], [[Jim Norton (Irish actor)|Jim Norton]], [[Saoirse Ronan]], [[Thomas Jay Ryan]] and [[Ben Whishaw]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Brantley|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/theater/review-in-arthur-millers-crucible-first-they-came-for-the-witches.html|title=Review: In Arthur Miller's ''Crucible'', First They Came for the Witches|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=31 March 2016|access-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> Also in 2016, Okonedo appeared as [[Margaret of Anjou|Queen Margaret]] in the second season of the BBC's ''[[The Hollow Crown (TV series)|The Hollow Crown]]'', an adaptation of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] plays ''[[Henry VI, Part I]]'', ''[[Henry VI, Part II|II]]'', ''[[Henry VI, Part III|III]]'' and ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]''. She performed in the role of Stevie in the 2017 West End revival of the existentialist play ''[[The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?]]'', by [[Edward Albee]]. Directed by [[Ian Rickson]] and also starring [[Damian Lewis]] as Martin, the production's first preview was on 24 March 2017, opening night on 5 April 2017, and final performance on 24 June 2017, at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]].
In May 2013, Okonedo played the role of Hunter in a BBC radio production of Neil Gaiman's ''[[Neverwhere (radio play)|Neverwhere]]'', adapted by Dirk Maggs.


In May 2013, Okonedo played the role of Hunter in a BBC radio production of Neil Gaiman's ''[[Neverwhere (radio play)|Neverwhere]]'', adapted by Dirk Maggs. She portrayed Siuan Sanche in the 2021 television series ''[[The Wheel of Time (TV series)|The Wheel of Time]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/the-wheel-of-time-showrunner-rafe-judkins-interview-moiraine-relationship-siuan/|title=THE WHEEL OF TIME'S SHOWRUNNER ON MOIRAINE AND SIUAN|last=Ratcliffe|first=Amy|date=10 December 2021|work=Nerdist|access-date=11 December 2021}}</ref> In 2024 she was nominated for an Olivier Award for [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for playing the [[Medea|title role]] in ''[[Medea (play)|Medea]]'' at the [[@sohoplace]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/theater/global/olivier-awards-nominations-full-list-1235939291/|title= Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Snook, David Tennant Score Olivier Awards Nominations — Full List|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= 12 March 2024|accessdate= 14 March 2024}}</ref>
She appeared in 2014 on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in the revival of ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'' as Ruth Younger. She won the [[Tony Award]], Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for this role, beating out co-star and fellow nominee [[Anika Noni Rose]].<ref name=":0">Staff. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192102-Just-the-Winners-Please-Who-Won-the-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards?tsrc=nx "Just the Winners, Please: Who Won the 68th Annual Tony Awards"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140542/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192102-Just-the-Winners-Please-Who-Won-the-68th-Annual-Tony-Awards?tsrc=nx |date=14 July 2014 }} playbill.com, 8 June 2014</ref><ref>Gioia, Michael.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192234-The-American-Dream-Tony-Winning-Revival-of-A-Raisin-in-the-Sun-Recoups "The "American Dream": Tony-Winning Revival of 'A Raisin in the Sun' Recoups"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165141/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/192234-The-American-Dream-Tony-Winning-Revival-of-A-Raisin-in-the-Sun-Recoups |date=14 July 2014 }} playbill.com, 10 June 2014</ref> In 2016, Okonedo returned to Broadway in [[Ivo van Hove]]'s production of [[Arthur Miller]]'s ''[[The Crucible]]'' at the [[Walter Kerr Theatre]] as [[Elizabeth Proctor]] opposite [[Bill Camp]], [[Tavi Gevinson]], [[Jason Butler Harner]], [[Ciarán Hinds]], [[Jim Norton (Irish actor)|Jim Norton]], [[Saoirse Ronan]], [[Thomas Jay Ryan]] and [[Ben Whishaw]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Brantley|first=Ben|author-link=Ben Brantley|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/theater/review-in-arthur-millers-crucible-first-they-came-for-the-witches.html|title=Review: In Arthur Miller's ''Crucible'', First They Came for the Witches|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=31 March 2016|access-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> Also in 2016, Okonedo appeared as [[Margaret of Anjou|Queen Margaret]] in the second season of the BBC's ''[[The Hollow Crown (TV series)|The Hollow Crown]]'', an adaptation of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] plays ''[[Henry VI, Part I]]'', ''[[Henry VI, Part II|II]]'', ''[[Henry VI, Part III|III]]'' and ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]''.


==Personal life==
She recently performed in the role of Stevie in the 2017 West End revival of the existentialist play ''[[The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?]]'', by [[Edward Albee]]. Directed by [[Ian Rickson]] and also starring [[Damian Lewis]] as Martin, the production's first preview was on 24 March 2017, opening night on 5 April 2017, and final performance on 24 June 2017, at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]].
Okonedo has one daughter, from a relationship she had with Irish film editor Eoin Martin,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/feb/20/awardsandprizes.film "I guess I'm up for grabs now"] ''The Guardian''</ref> and lives in [[Muswell Hill]], London. On her heritage, Okonedo has said, "I feel as proud to be Jewish as I feel to be Black" and calls her daughter an "Irish, Nigerian Jew".{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/O/origination/new_jews_double.html "New Jews"] channel4.com</ref> As of 2023, Okonedo is married to Jamie Chalmers, a builder, and is the stepmother of his two children.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/12/sophie-okonedo-im-a-really-emotional-person-i-sometimes-feel-like-all-my-skin-is-off? "Sophie Okonedo: ‘I’m a really emotional person – I sometimes feel like all my skin is off"] theguardian.com</ref>

In October 2017, [[Michael Caton-Jones]] stated that, in 1998, he had chosen Okonedo to star in ''[[B. Monkey]]''. However, the film's producer, [[Harvey Weinstein]], banned this because the actress did not meet his personal sexual preference.<ref name="2017-10-17">[http://www.vulture.com/2017/10/director-says-weinstein-recast-actress-who-wasnt-f-ckable.html?wpsrc=nymag Director Says Harvey Weinstein Recast the Lead in His Film Because the Actress Wasn't 'F*ckable'], Jackson McHenry, Vulture.com, 17 October 2017</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
Okonedo was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2010 Birthday Honours]]<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59446 |date=12 June 2010 |page=12 |supp=y}}</ref> and [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2019 New Year Honours]], both for services to drama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62507/supplement/N1|title=2019 New Year Honours List|date=29 December 2018|website=The London Gazette|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>
Okonedo was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2010 Birthday Honours]]<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59446 |date=12 June 2010 |page=12 |supp=y}}</ref> and [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2019 New Year Honours]], both for services to drama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62507/supplement/N1|title=2019 New Year Honours List|date=29 December 2018|website=The London Gazette|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>


In December 2024, Okonedo received the Richard Harris Award at the 2024 BIFAs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=2 December 2024 |title=Sophie Okonedo To Receive Richard Harris Award At 2024 BIFAs |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/sophie-okonedo-richard-harris-award-bifas-2024-1236190888/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Okonedo has one daughter, from a previous relationship with Irish film editor Eoin Martin,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2005/feb/20/awardsandprizes.film "I guess I'm up for grabs now"] ''The Guardian''</ref> and lives in [[Muswell Hill]], London. On her heritage, Okonedo says, "I feel as proud to be Jewish as I feel to be black" and calls her daughter an "Irish, Nigerian Jew".<ref>[http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/O/origination/new_jews_double.html "New Jews"] channel4.com</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{Compact ToC|center=yes|name=|a=Awards and nominations: [[#A|A]]|notes=yes|refs=yes|extlinks=yes}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 70%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}}
! scope="col" | Recipient or nominee
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Academy Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2005
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="11" style="text-align:center;" |<ref> https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0645683/awards?ref_=nm_awd </ref>
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[BAFTA TV Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| rowspan="1" | ''Mrs. Mandela''
| Best Leading Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Criminal Justice]]''
| Best Supporting Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[Black Reel Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2005
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| Best Actress-Drama
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| rowspan="2" | ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| Best Ensemble
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | 2010
| rowspan="1" | ''[[skin]]''
| Best Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[British Independent Film Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2003
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Dirty Pretty Things (film)|Dirty Pretty Things]]''
| Best Supporting Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" |2009
| rowspan="1" |''[[skin]]''
| Best Actress
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | [[64th Golden Globe Awards|2007]]
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]''
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actress in a Mini-Series/Television Movie]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Hollywood Film Festival]]
| rowspan="1" | 2008
| rowspan="1" | ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| Ensemble Acting of the Year
| {{won}}
|}

=== Film and Television ===
* [[Hollywood Film Festival]]
** 2008, Ensemble Acting of the Year (''The Secret Life of Bees'' ), winner
* [[NAACP Image Awards]]
** 2005, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (''Hotel Rwanda'' ), nominated
** 2007, Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Mini-Series (''Tsunami: the Aftermath'' ), winner
** 2009, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (''The Secret Life of Bees'' ), nominated
** 2010, Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (''Skin'' ), nominated
* [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s
** 2005, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (''Hotel Rwanda'' ), nominated
** 2005, Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture (''Hotel Rwanda'' ), nominated

=== Theatre ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Result
|-
| rowspan="3" |2014
|[[68th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]<ref name=":0" />
|[[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]''
| {{won}}
|-
|[[Drama Desk Award]]<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-10-19|title=The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/the-59th-annual-drama-desk-awards|access-date=2021-01-18|website=New York Theater Guide}}</ref>
|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Outer Critics Circle Award]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=12 May 2014|title=64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/64th-annual-outer-critics-circle-award-winners-announced-gentlemans-guide-wins-four-awards-com-218223|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Playbill}}</ref>
|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
|{{nom}}
|-
|2016
|[[70th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|author=Variety Staff|last2=Staff|first2=Variety|date=2016-06-12|title=Tony Awards Winners: Complete List|url=https://variety.com/2016/legit/awards/2016-tony-awards-winner-list-hamilton-american-psycho-amazing-grace-1201792508/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play]]
|''[[The Crucible]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award|Critics’ Circle Theatre Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-29|title=2018 Results {{!}} Critics' Circle Theatre Awards|url=https://criticscircletheatreawards.com/results/2018-results/|access-date=2020-12-06|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award#The Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance|Best Shakespearean Performance]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Evening Standard Theatre Awards|Evening Standard Theatre Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Jessie|date=2018-11-19|title=Find out the winners of this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-winners-2018-a3993041.html|access-date=2020-12-06|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Evening Standard Theatre Awards#Best Actress|Best Actress]]
|{{won}}
|-
|2019
|[[Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Winners list for the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard {{!}} Official Website|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/2019/|access-date=2020-12-06|website=Olivier Awards|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
|{{nom}}
|}


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 198: Line 67:
|
|
|-
|-
| 1995
| rowspan="2" | 1995
| ''[[Go Now (film)|Go Now]]''
| ''[[Go Now (film)|Go Now]]''
| Paula
| Paula
|
|
|-
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]''
| ''[[Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls]]''
| The Wachati Princess
| The Wachati Princess
Line 213: Line 81:
|
|
|-
|-
| 1999
| rowspan="2" | 1999
| ''[[This Year's Love]]''
| ''[[This Year's Love (film)|This Year's Love]]''
| Denise
| Denise
|
|
|-
|-
| 1999
| ''Mad Cows''
| ''Mad Cows''
| Rosy
| Rosy
Line 241: Line 108:
| ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| [[Tatiana Rusesabagina]]
| [[Tatiana Rusesabagina]]
|
| [[Black Reel Award: Best Actress|Black Reel Award for Best Actress]]<br />Nominated – [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]]<br />Nominated – [[London Critics Circle Film Award|London Critics Circle Film Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]]<br />Nominated – [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]]<br />Nominated – [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role]]<br />Nominated – [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]]
|-
|-
| 2005
| 2005
Line 248: Line 115:
|
|
|-
|-
| 2006
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| ''[[Stormbreaker (film)|Stormbreaker]]''
| ''[[Stormbreaker (film)|Stormbreaker]]''
| Mrs. Jones
| Mrs. Jones
|
|
|-
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Scenes of a Sexual Nature]]''
| ''[[Scenes of a Sexual Nature]]''
| Anna
| Anna
Line 263: Line 129:
|
|
|-
|-
| 2008
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| May Boatwright
| May Boatwright
|
| Nominated – [[Black Reel Award: Best Supporting Actress|Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress]]<br />Nominated – [[Black Reel Award: Best Ensemble|Black Reel Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble]]<br />Nominated – [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]]<br />Nominated – [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]]
|-
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]''
| ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]''
| [[Sandra Laing]]
| [[Sandra Laing]]
|
| Nominated – [[Black Reel Award: Best Actress|Black Reel Award for Best Actress]]<br />Nominated – [[British Independent Film Awards 2009|British Independent Film Award for Best Actress]]<br />Nominated – [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture]]
|-
|-
| 2013
| 2013
Line 283: Line 148:
|
|
|-
|-
| 2018
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| ''[[Christopher Robin (film)|Christopher Robin]]''
| ''[[Christopher Robin (film) |Christopher Robin]]''
| [[Kanga (Winnie-the-Pooh)|Kanga]] (voice)
| [[Kanga (Winnie-the-Pooh)|Kanga]]
| Voice role
|
|-
|-
| ''[[Wild Rose (2018 film)|Wild Rose]]''
| 2018
| ''[[Wild Rose (film)|Wild Rose]]''
| Susannah
| Susannah
|
|
Line 298: Line 162:
|
|
|-
|-
|2021
| 2022
|''Charlotte''
|Ottilie Moore
|Voice
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| ''[[Death on the Nile (2022 film)|Death on the Nile]]''
| ''[[Death on the Nile (2022 film)|Death on the Nile]]''
| Salome Otterbourne
| Salome Otterbourne
| Drama / Mystery
| Post-production
|-
|-
| ''[[Catherine Called Birdy (film)|Catherine Called Birdy]]''
| TBA
| Ethelfritha Rose Splinter of Devon
|''[[Infinite Storm]]''
|Adventure
|
|-
| Filming
|''[[Raymond & Ray]]''
| Kiera
|Comedy / Drama
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2023
|''[[Heart of Stone (2023 film)|Heart of Stone]]''
| Nomad
|Crime / Thriller
|-
| ''[[Janet Planet]]''
| Regina
|Drama
|-
| 2024
| ''[[10 Lives]]''
| Grace (voice)
|Animation
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Key
| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Denotes productions that have not yet been released}}
| Denotes productions that have not yet been released
|}
|}


Line 319: Line 211:
| ''Age of Treason''
| ''Age of Treason''
| Niobe
| Niobe
| TV film
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
Line 326: Line 218:
| 6 episodes
| 6 episodes
|-
|-
| 1996
| rowspan=3| 1996
| ''[[Staying Alive (TV series)|Staying Alive]]''
| ''[[Staying Alive (TV series)|Staying Alive]]''
| Kelly Booth
| Kelly Booth
| 12 episodes
| 12 episodes
|-
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Murder Most Horrid]]''
| ''[[Murder Most Horrid]]''
| Rachel
| Rachel
| Episode: "Dead on Time"
| Episode: "Dead on Time"
|-
|-
| 1996
| ''Deep Secrets''
| ''Deep Secrets''
| Honey
| Honey
| TV film
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2000
| rowspan=2| 2000
| ''[[In Defence]]''
| ''[[In Defence]]''
| Bernie Kramer
| Bernie Kramer
| 4 episodes
| 4 episodes
|-
|-
| 2000
| ''Never Never''
| ''Never Never''
| Jo Weller
| Jo Weller
| rowspan=2| TV movie
| TV film<br />Nominated – [[Royal Television Society|Royal Television Society Award for Best Actor – Female]]
|-
|-
| 2001
| 2001
| ''[[Sweet Revenge (British TV series)|Sweet Revenge]]''
| ''[[Sweet Revenge (British TV series)|Sweet Revenge]]''
| Ellen
| Ellen
| TV film
|-
|-
| 2002
| rowspan=2| 2002
| ''[[Clocking Off]]''
| ''[[Clocking Off]]''
| Jenny Wood
| Jenny Wood
| 5 episodes
| 5 episodes
|-
|-
| 2002
| ''Dead Casual''
| ''Dead Casual''
| Donna
| Donna
| TV film
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2003
| rowspan=4| 2003
| ''[[The Inspector Lynley Mysteries]]''
| ''[[The Inspector Lynley Mysteries]]''
| Eve Bowen
| Eve Bowen
| Episode: "In the Presence of the Enemy"
| Episode: “In the Presence of the Enemy”
|-
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Spooks (TV series)|Spooks]]''
| ''[[Spooks (TV series)|Spooks]]''
| Amanda Roke
| Amanda Roke
| 1 episode; uncredited
| Episode: "Blood & Money"<br />Uncredited
|-
|-
| 2003
| ''Alibi''
| ''Alibi''
| Marcey Burgess
| Marcey Burgess
| TV film
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Scream of the Shalka|Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka]]''
| ''[[Scream of the Shalka|Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka]]''
| [[List of companions in Doctor Who spin-offs#Alison Cheney|Alison Cheney]] (voice)
| [[List of companions in Doctor Who spin-offs#Alison Cheney|Alison Cheney]]
| Animated story<br />6 episodes
| Voice role;<br/>6 episodes
|-
|-
| 2004
| 2004
| ''Whose Baby?''
| ''Whose Baby?''
| Karen Jenkins
| Karen Jenkins
| TV film
| rowspan=3| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2005
| 2005
| ''Born with Two Mothers''
| ''Born with Two Mothers''
| Lucretia Bridges
| Lucretia Bridges
| TV film
|-
|-
| 2006
| rowspan=2| 2006
| ''Celebration''
| ''Celebration''
| Sonia
| Sonia
| TV film
|-
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]''
| ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]''
| Susie Carter
| Susie Carter
| rowspan=3| Miniseries
| TV miniseries<br />[[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special]]<br />Nominated – [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|-
|-
| 2007
| rowspan=2|2007
| ''[[Oliver Twist (2007 miniseries)|Oliver Twist]]''
| ''[[Oliver Twist (2007 TV series)|Oliver Twist]]''
| Nancy
| Nancy
| TV miniseries
|-
|-

| 2007
| ''[[Racism: A History]]''
| ''[[Racism: A History]]''
| Narrator
| Narrator
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| 2009
| rowspan=2| 2009
| ''[[Father & Son (TV serial)|Father & Son]]''
| '' [[Father & Son (TV serial)|Father & Son]]''
| Connie Turner
| Connie Turner
| TV miniseries<br />4 episodes
| Miniseries; 4 episodes
|-
|-
| ''[[Criminal Justice (British TV series)|Criminal Justice]]''
| 2009
| Jackie Wolf
| ''[[Criminal Justice (TV series)|Criminal Justice]]''
| Miniseries; 5 episodes
| Jackie 'Jack' Wolf
| TV miniseries<br />5 episodes<br />Nominated – [[BAFTA Television Award|BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
|-
| 2010
| rowspan=2| 2010
| ''Mrs. Mandela''
| ''Mrs. Mandela''
| [[Winnie Madikizela-Mandela|Winnie Mandela]]
| [[Winnie Madikizela-Mandela|Winnie Mandela]]
| TV movie
| TV film<br />Nominated – [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actress|BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress]]
|-
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Doctor Who]]''
| ''[[Doctor Who]]''
| Liz Ten
| Liz Ten
Line 437: Line 314:
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| ''[[The Slap (TV series)|The Slap]]''
| ''[[The Slap (Australian TV series)|The Slap]]''
| Aisha
| Aisha
| Miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| 2012
| 2012
| ''[[Sinbad (TV series)|Sinbad]]''
| ''[[Sinbad (TV series)|Sinbad]]''
| Razia
| Razia
| Episode: "Queen of the Water-Thieves"
| Episode: “Queen of the Water-Thieves”
|-
|-
| 2013
| rowspan=2|2013
| ''[[Mayday (British TV series)|Mayday]]''
| ''[[Mayday (British TV series)|Mayday]]''
| Fiona
| Fiona
| rowspan=2| Miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| 2013
| ''[[The Escape Artist (TV series)|The Escape Artist]]''
| ''[[The Escape Artist (TV series)|The Escape Artist]]''
| Margaret 'Maggie' Gardner
| Margaret 'Maggie' Gardner
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
Line 461: Line 336:
| TV movie
| TV movie
|-
|-
| 2016
| rowspan=2|2016
| ''[[Undercover (2016 TV series)|Undercover]]''<ref name="BBC Online - credits">{{cite web | title= Undercover: Episode 1: Credits| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b076v9fd/credits| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| website= [[BBC Online]] | access-date= 3 April 2016 }}</ref>
| ''[[Undercover (2016 TV series)|Undercover]]''<ref name="BBC Online - credits">{{cite web | title= Undercover: Episode 1: Credits| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b076v9fd/credits| author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->| website= [[BBC Online]] | access-date= 3 April 2016 }}</ref>
| Maya Cobbina
| Maya Cobbina
| Miniseries
| TV miniseries
|-
|-
| ''[[The Hollow Crown (TV series)|The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses]]''
| 2016
| [[Margaret of Anjou|Margaret]], Queen Consort of England
| ''[[The Hollow Crown (TV series)|The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses]]''<ref name="The Hollow Crown (TV Mini-Series 2012) - IMDb">{{cite web |title=''The Hollow Crown'' (TV Mini-Series 2012) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2262456/ |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=21 May 2016 }}</ref>
| Miniseries; 3 episodes
| [[Margaret of Anjou|Margaret]], the Queen Consort of England
| TV miniseries<br />3 episodes
|-
|-
| 2017
| rowspan=2| 2017
| ''Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise''
| ''Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise''
| Narrator
| rowspan=2| Narrator
| rowspan=2| Documentary
| TV documentary series
|-
|-
| 2017
| ''Concorde: A Supersonic Story''
| ''Concorde: A Supersonic Story''
| Narrator
| TV documentary
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
Line 496: Line 367:
| 4 episodes
| 4 episodes
|-
|-
| 2020
| rowspan=4| 2020
| ''[[Criminal: UK]]''
| ''[[Criminal: UK]]''
| Julia Bryce
| Julia Bryce
| 1 episode
| Episode: Julia
|-
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Ratched (TV series)|Ratched]]''
| ''[[Ratched (TV series)|Ratched]]''
| Charlotte Wells
| Charlotte Wells
| 3 episodes
| 3 episodes
|-
|-
| 2020
| ''[[His Dark Materials (TV series)|His Dark Materials]]''
| ''[[His Dark Materials (TV series)|His Dark Materials]]''
| Xaphania (voice)
| Xaphania
| Recurring role
| Voice role; 4 episodes
|-
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Alien Worlds (TV series)|Alien Worlds]]''
| ''[[Alien Worlds (TV series)|Alien Worlds]]''
| Narrator
| Narrator
| Documentary
| [[Netflix]] documentary
|-
|-
| 2021–present
|
| ''[[The Wheel of Time (TV series)|The Wheel of Time]]''
| ''[[The Wheel of Time (TV series)|The Wheel of Time]]''
| Siuan Sanche
| Siuan Sanche
| 3 episodes
| Upcoming series
|-
| rowspan=2| 2021
| ''[[Modern Love (TV series)|Modern Love]]''
| Liz
| Episode: “Second Embrace, With Hearts And Eyes Open”
|-
| ''[[Britannia (TV series)|Britannia]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/article/sophie-okonedo-joins-cast-britannia-upcoming-third-series|title=Sophie Okonedo joins cast of Britannia for upcoming third series|first=Caitlin|last=Danaher|date=24 September 2020|access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref>
| Hemple
| Season 3
|-
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Inside No. 9]]''
| Katrina
| Episode: "Nine Lives Kat"
|-
| 2022–2023
| ''[[Slow Horses]]''
| Ingrid Tearney
| 7 episodes
|}
|}


Line 528: Line 414:
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
! Playwright
! Role
! Role
! Venue
! Venue
|-
| 2014
| ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]'' by [[Lorraine Hansberry]]
| Ruth
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theater]], (New York City)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/theater/raisin-in-the-sun-brings-denzel-washington-back-to-broadway.html | title=No Rest for the Weary| newspaper=The New York Times| date=15 June 2014| last1=Brantley| first1=Ben}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2011
| ''[[Haunted Child]]'' by [[Joe Penhall]]
| ''[[Haunted Child]]''
| [[Joe Penhall]]
| Julie
| Julie
| [[Royal Court Theatre|Royal Court]] (London, UK)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/dec/09/haunted-child-royal-court | title=Haunted Child – review by Michael Billington| newspaper=The Guardian| date=9 December 2011| last1=Billington| first1=Michael}}</ref>
| [[Royal Court Theatre|Royal Court]] (London, UK)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/dec/09/haunted-child-royal-court | title=Haunted Child – review by Michael Billington| newspaper=The Guardian| date=9 December 2011| last1=Billington| first1=Michael}}</ref>
|-
| 2014
| ''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]''
| [[Lorraine Hansberry]]
| Ruth
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theater]], (New York City)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/theater/raisin-in-the-sun-brings-denzel-washington-back-to-broadway.html | title=No Rest for the Weary| newspaper=The New York Times| date=15 June 2014| last1=Brantley| first1=Ben}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2016
| ''[[The Crucible]]'' by [[Arthur Miller]]
| ''[[The Crucible]]''
| [[Arthur Miller]]
| [[Elizabeth Proctor]]
| [[Elizabeth Proctor]]
| [[Walter Kerr Theater]] (New York City)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/theater/review-in-arthur-millers-crucible-first-they-came-for-the-witches.html | title=Review: In Arthur Miller's 'Crucible,' First They Came for the Witches| newspaper=The New York Times| date=17 July 2016| last1=Brantley| first1=Ben}}</ref>
| [[Walter Kerr Theater]] (New York City)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/theater/review-in-arthur-millers-crucible-first-they-came-for-the-witches.html | title=Review: In Arthur Miller's 'Crucible,' First They Came for the Witches| newspaper=The New York Times| date=17 July 2016| last1=Brantley| first1=Ben}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| ''[[The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?]]'' by [[Edward Albee]]
| ''[[The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?]]''
| [[Edward Albee]]
| Stevie Gray
| Stevie Gray
| [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]] (London, UK)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/theater/london-theater-consent-goat.html | title=Adultery with a Difference on the London Stage| newspaper=The New York Times| date=24 April 2017| last1=Wolf| first1=Matt}}</ref>
| [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]] (London, UK)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/theater/london-theater-consent-goat.html | title=Adultery with a Difference on the London Stage| newspaper=The New York Times| date=24 April 2017| last1=Wolf| first1=Matt}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
| ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' by [[William Shakespeare]]
| ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]''
| [[William Shakespeare]]
| [[Cleopatra]]
| [[Cleopatra]]
| [[Royal National Theatre]] (London, UK)
| [[Royal National Theatre]] (London, UK)
|-
|-
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Medea (play)|Medea]]''
| [[Euripides]]
| Medea
| [[@sohoplace]] (London, UK)<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/medea | title=Medea performed at @Sohoplace Feb–April 2023| website=@sohoplace| date=2022| last1=Cooke| first1=Dominic}}</ref>
|}
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!colspan=6|Film and Television Awards
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Project
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Academy Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2005
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | [[BAFTA TV Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| Best Leading Actress
| rowspan="1" | ''Mrs. Mandela''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | Best Supporting Actress
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Criminal Justice]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| 2021
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Criminal: UK]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[Black Reel Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2005
| Best Actress-Drama
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]''
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Reel Awards – Past Nominees & Winners by Category |url=https://www.blackreelawards.com/past-nominees-winners-by-category |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Black Reel Awards |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| Best Ensemble
| rowspan="2" | ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| Best Supporting Actress
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="1" | 2010
| Best Actress
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[British Independent Film Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2003
| Best Supporting Actress
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Dirty Pretty Things (film)|Dirty Pretty Things]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="1" |2009
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Skin (2008 film)|Skin]]''
| Best Actress
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Golden Globe Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | [[64th Golden Globe Awards|2007]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie]]
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Tsunami: The Aftermath]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Hollywood Film Festival]]
| rowspan="1" | 2008
| Ensemble Acting of the Year
| rowspan="1" | ''[[The Secret Life of Bees (film)|The Secret Life of Bees]]''
| {{won}}
|
|-
!rowspan="4" scope="row" | [[NAACP Image Awards]]
|2005
|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
|''Hotel Rwanda''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| 2007
| Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Mini-Series
|''Tsunami: the Aftermath''
| {{won}}
|
|-
|2009
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| ''The Secret Life of Bees''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
|2010
| Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
| ''Skin''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
! rowspan="1" scope="row" | [[Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan="1" | 2020
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Ratched (TV series)|Ratched]]''
| {{nom}}
|
|-
!rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s
|rowspan="2" | 2004
| Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role
| rowspan=2|''Hotel Rwanda''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan=2|
|-
|Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

'''Theatre Awards'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Result
!Ref.
|-
| rowspan="3" |2014
|[[68th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
|[[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[A Raisin in the Sun]]''
| {{won}}
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Drama Desk Award]]
|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play]]
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|date=19 October 2017|title=The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/the-59th-annual-drama-desk-awards|access-date=2021-01-18|website=New York Theater Guide}}</ref>
|-
|[[Outer Critics Circle Award]]
|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=12 May 2014|title=64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/64th-annual-outer-critics-circle-award-winners-announced-gentlemans-guide-wins-four-awards-com-218223|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Playbill}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|[[70th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
|[[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play]]
|''[[The Crucible]]''
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|author=Variety Staff|last2=Staff|first2=Variety|date=12 June 2016|title=Tony Awards Winners: Complete List|url=https://variety.com/2016/legit/awards/2016-tony-awards-winner-list-hamilton-american-psycho-amazing-grace-1201792508/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018
|[[Evening Standard Theatre Awards|Evening Standard Theatre Award]]
|[[Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]''
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Jessie|date=19 November 2018|title=Find out the winners of this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-winners-2018-a3993041.html|access-date=2020-12-06|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award|Critics’ Circle Theatre Award]]
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award#The Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance|Best Shakespearean Performance]]
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 January 2019|title=2018 Results {{!}} Critics' Circle Theatre Awards|url=https://criticscircletheatreawards.com/results/2018-results/|access-date=2020-12-06|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|[[2019 Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]]
|[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Winners list for the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard {{!}} Official Website|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/2019/|access-date=2020-12-06|website=Olivier Awards|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|Evening Standard Theatre Award
|Best Actress
|rowspan="2" |''[[Medea (play)|Medea]]''
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2023 |title=Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2023 Winners announced {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/207001/news/awards/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2023-winners-announced-in-london-watch-red-carpet-arrivals-and-interviews-with-the-winners/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|[[2024 Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]]
|[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2024 |title=Olivier Awards 2024 complete nominees {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/mar/12/olivier-awards-2024-complete-list-of-nominations |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.theguardian.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|}

'''Audio'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Result
!Ref.
|-
|rowspan=2|2010
|rowspan="2"|[[Audie Awards]]
||[[Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year|Audiobook of the Year]]
|rowspan=2|''Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales''
|rowspan=2 {{won}}
|rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.audiopub.org/2010-audies | title=2010 audie-awards }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mandelasfavoritefolktales.com/landing-page/mandelas-favorite-folktales-performers/ | title=Mandelas Favorite Folktales – Performers | date=3 August 2020 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Audie Award for Multi-Voiced Performance|Multi-Voiced Performance]]
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}


==References==
==References==
Line 565: Line 681:
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Tcmdb name|144363}}
* {{Tcmdb name|144363}}
* {{Amg name|53909}}
* {{Screenonline name|1191046|Sophie Okonedo}}
* {{Screenonline name|1191046|Sophie Okonedo}}


Line 572: Line 687:
| list =
| list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress}}
{{Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress}}
{{EquityAward TVMiniSeriesTeleMovieCast 2010–2019}}
{{EquityAward TVMiniSeriesTeleMovieCast 2010–2019}}
{{Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress}}
{{Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special}}
{{The Richard Harris Award}}
{{RTS Programme Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor}}
{{TonyAward PlayFeaturedActress 2001–2025}}
{{TonyAward PlayFeaturedActress 2001–2025}}
{{Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance}}
}}
}}


Line 582: Line 701:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okonedo, Sophie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okonedo, Sophie}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century British Jews]]
[[Category:Actors from Wembley]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century British Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century English actresses]]
[[Category:People from Wembley]]
[[Category:Actresses from London]]
[[Category:Actresses from London]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:British Ashkenazi Jews]]
[[Category:Audiobook narrators]]
[[Category:English Ashkenazi Jews]]
[[Category:Black British actresses]]
[[Category:Black British actresses]]
[[Category:Black Jewish people]]
[[Category:Black Jewish people]]
Line 597: Line 720:
[[Category:English voice actresses]]
[[Category:English voice actresses]]
[[Category:Jewish English actresses]]
[[Category:Jewish English actresses]]
[[Category:People from Muswell Hill]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Haringey]]
[[Category:Theatre World Award winners]]
[[Category:Theatre World Award winners]]
[[Category:Tony Award winners]]
[[Category:Tony Award winners]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Brent]]
[[Category:21st-century English actresses]]
[[Category:People from Muswell Hill]]

Latest revision as of 03:40, 7 January 2025

Sophie Okonedo
CBE
Okonedo in 2015
Born (1968-08-11) 11 August 1968 (age 56)
London, England
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupations
  • Actress
  • narrator
Years active1991–present

Sophie Okonedo (born 11 August 1968) is a British actress and narrator. The recipient of a Tony Award, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, three BAFTA TV Awards, an Emmy Award, two Laurence Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019, both for services to drama.[1][2]

Having trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art she starred as Cressida in the 1999 Royal National Theatre production of Troilus and Cressida. She made her Broadway debut portraying Ruth Younger in the 2014 revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She returned to Broadway as Elizabeth Proctor in the 2016 revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible for which she was nominated for her second Tony Award. She returned to the stage portraying Cleopatra from 2018 to 2019 in the National Theatre production of Antony and Cleopatra for which she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress.

She began her film career in the British coming-of-age drama Young Soul Rebels (1991) before appearing in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), and Stephen Frears's Dirty Pretty Things (2002). Her breakthrough role was as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004) for which she received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination. She continued acting in films such as Æon Flux (2005), Martian Child (2007), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Skin (2008), Christopher Robin (2018), Wild Rose (2018), and Death on the Nile (2022).

For her television work she earned Golden Globe Award nomination for the miniseries Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006), three BAFTA TV Award nominations for Mrs. Mandela (2010), Criminal Justice (2010) and Criminal: UK (2021). She was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role in Ratched (2020). She is also known for Father & Son (2009), The Hollow Crown (2016), Wanderlust (2018), and Flack (2019–2020).

Early life and education

[edit]

Okonedo was born on 11 August 1968[3][4][5] in London, the daughter of Joan (née Allman), a Jewish Pilates teacher who was born in the East End of London, and Henry Okonedo (1939–2009), a British Nigerian[6] who worked for the government.[7][8][9] Okonedo's maternal grandparents, who spoke Yiddish, were from families that had emigrated from Poland and Russia. Okonedo was raised in her mother's Jewish faith.[10][11][12][13]

Okonedo was raised in the Chalkhill Estate, part of the Wembley Park district in the London Borough of Brent.[6] She then trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[14]

Career

[edit]

She has worked in a variety of media including film, television, theatre and audio drama. She performed in Scream of the Shalka, a webcast based on the BBC television series Doctor Who as Alison Cheney, a companion of the Doctor. As well as providing the character's voice, Okonedo's likeness was used for the animation of the character. In 2010, Okonedo portrayed Liz Ten (Queen Elizabeth X) in the BBC TV series Doctor Who episodes "The Beast Below" and again briefly in "The Pandorica Opens".

Okonedo played the role of Jenny in Danny Brocklehurst's BAFTA TV Award nominated episode of Paul Abbott's series Clocking Off. She also played the role of Tulip Jones in the film Stormbreaker (2006) and Nancy in the television adaptation of Oliver Twist (2007). She is also known for playing the role of the Wachati Princess in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995). In October 2017, Michael Caton-Jones stated that, in 1998, he had chosen Okonedo to star in B. Monkey. However, the film's producer, Harvey Weinstein, banned this because the actress did not meet his personal sexual preference.[15]

She was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004) and nominated for a Golden Globe Award for a Lead Actress in a Miniseries for her work in Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006). She played alongside Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning as May Boatwright, a woman who struggles with depression, in the film The Secret Life of Bees (2008); opposite Sam Neill and Alice Krige as Sandra Laing in Skin (2009); and portrayed Winnie Mandela in the BBC drama Mrs. Mandela broadcast in January 2010.[16]

In 2014 she appeared on Broadway as Ruth Younger in the revival of A Raisin in the Sun. She won the Tony Award, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for this role, beating out co-star and fellow nominee Anika Noni Rose.[17][18] In 2016, Okonedo returned to Broadway in Ivo van Hove's production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible at the Walter Kerr Theatre as Elizabeth Proctor opposite Bill Camp, Tavi Gevinson, Jason Butler Harner, Ciarán Hinds, Jim Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Thomas Jay Ryan and Ben Whishaw.[19] Also in 2016, Okonedo appeared as Queen Margaret in the second season of the BBC's The Hollow Crown, an adaptation of the Shakespearean plays Henry VI, Part I, II, III and Richard III. She performed in the role of Stevie in the 2017 West End revival of the existentialist play The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, by Edward Albee. Directed by Ian Rickson and also starring Damian Lewis as Martin, the production's first preview was on 24 March 2017, opening night on 5 April 2017, and final performance on 24 June 2017, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

In May 2013, Okonedo played the role of Hunter in a BBC radio production of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by Dirk Maggs. She portrayed Siuan Sanche in the 2021 television series The Wheel of Time.[20] In 2024 she was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress for playing the title role in Medea at the @sohoplace.[21]

Personal life

[edit]

Okonedo has one daughter, from a relationship she had with Irish film editor Eoin Martin,[22] and lives in Muswell Hill, London. On her heritage, Okonedo has said, "I feel as proud to be Jewish as I feel to be Black" and calls her daughter an "Irish, Nigerian Jew".[citation needed][23] As of 2023, Okonedo is married to Jamie Chalmers, a builder, and is the stepmother of his two children.[24]

Honours

[edit]

Okonedo was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours[25] and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours, both for services to drama.[26]

In December 2024, Okonedo received the Richard Harris Award at the 2024 BIFAs.[27]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Young Soul Rebels Tracy
1995 Go Now Paula
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls The Wachati Princess
1997 The Jackal Jamaican Girl
1999 This Year's Love Denise
Mad Cows Rosy
2000 Peaches Pippa
2002 Dirty Pretty Things Juliette
2003 Cross My Heart Marsee
2004 Hotel Rwanda Tatiana Rusesabagina
2005 Æon Flux Sithandra
2006 Stormbreaker Mrs. Jones
Scenes of a Sexual Nature Anna
2007 Martian Child Sophie
2008 The Secret Life of Bees May Boatwright
Skin Sandra Laing
2013 After Earth Faia Raige
2014 War Book Philippa
2018 Christopher Robin Kanga Voice role
Wild Rose Susannah
2019 Hellboy Lady Hatton
2021 Charlotte Ottilie Moore Voice
2022 Death on the Nile Salome Otterbourne Drama / Mystery
Catherine Called Birdy Ethelfritha Rose Splinter of Devon Adventure
Raymond & Ray Kiera Comedy / Drama
2023 Heart of Stone Nomad Crime / Thriller
Janet Planet Regina Drama
2024 10 Lives Grace (voice) Animation
Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Age of Treason Niobe TV movie
1995 The Governor Moira Levitt 6 episodes
1996 Staying Alive Kelly Booth 12 episodes
Murder Most Horrid Rachel Episode: "Dead on Time"
Deep Secrets Honey TV movie
2000 In Defence Bernie Kramer 4 episodes
Never Never Jo Weller TV movie
2001 Sweet Revenge Ellen
2002 Clocking Off Jenny Wood 5 episodes
Dead Casual Donna TV movie
2003 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Eve Bowen Episode: “In the Presence of the Enemy”
Spooks Amanda Roke 1 episode; uncredited
Alibi Marcey Burgess TV movie
Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka Alison Cheney Voice role;
6 episodes
2004 Whose Baby? Karen Jenkins TV movie
2005 Born with Two Mothers Lucretia Bridges
2006 Celebration Sonia
Tsunami: The Aftermath Susie Carter Miniseries
2007 Oliver Twist Nancy
Racism: A History Narrator
2009 Father & Son Connie Turner Miniseries; 4 episodes
Criminal Justice Jackie Wolf Miniseries; 5 episodes
2010 Mrs. Mandela Winnie Mandela TV movie
Doctor Who Liz Ten 2 episodes: "The Beast Below" and "The Pandorica Opens"
2011 The Slap Aisha Miniseries
2012 Sinbad Razia Episode: “Queen of the Water-Thieves”
2013 Mayday Fiona Miniseries
The Escape Artist Margaret 'Maggie' Gardner
2015 The Stranger on the Bridge Narrator TV movie
2016 Undercover[28] Maya Cobbina Miniseries
The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses Margaret, Queen Consort of England Miniseries; 3 episodes
2017 Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise Narrator Documentary
Concorde: A Supersonic Story
2018 Wanderlust Angela Bowden 4 episodes
2019–2020 Flack Caroline 12 episodes
2019 Chimerica Tessa Kendrick 4 episodes
2020 Criminal: UK Julia Bryce 1 episode
Ratched Charlotte Wells 3 episodes
His Dark Materials Xaphania Voice role; 4 episodes
Alien Worlds Narrator Documentary
2021–present The Wheel of Time Siuan Sanche 3 episodes
2021 Modern Love Liz Episode: “Second Embrace, With Hearts And Eyes Open”
Britannia[29] Hemple Season 3
2022 Inside No. 9 Katrina Episode: "Nine Lives Kat"
2022–2023 Slow Horses Ingrid Tearney 7 episodes

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Playwright Role Venue
2011 Haunted Child Joe Penhall Julie Royal Court (London, UK)[30]
2014 A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry Ruth Ethel Barrymore Theater, (New York City)[31]
2016 The Crucible Arthur Miller Elizabeth Proctor Walter Kerr Theater (New York City)[32]
2017 The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? Edward Albee Stevie Gray Theatre Royal Haymarket (London, UK)[33]
2018 Antony and Cleopatra William Shakespeare Cleopatra Royal National Theatre (London, UK)
2023 Medea Euripides Medea @sohoplace (London, UK)[34]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Film and Television Awards
Award Year Category Project Result Ref.
Academy Awards 2005 Best Supporting Actress Hotel Rwanda Nominated
BAFTA TV Awards 2010 Best Leading Actress Mrs. Mandela Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Criminal Justice Nominated
2021 Criminal: UK Nominated
Black Reel Awards 2005 Best Actress-Drama Hotel Rwanda Won [35]
2008 Best Ensemble The Secret Life of Bees Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2010 Best Actress Skin Nominated
British Independent Film Awards 2003 Best Supporting Actress Dirty Pretty Things Nominated
2009 Skin Best Actress Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2007 Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie Tsunami: The Aftermath Nominated
Hollywood Film Festival 2008 Ensemble Acting of the Year The Secret Life of Bees Won
NAACP Image Awards 2005 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Hotel Rwanda Nominated
2007 Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Mini-Series Tsunami: the Aftermath Won
2009 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture The Secret Life of Bees Nominated
2010 Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Skin Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards 2020 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Ratched Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2004 Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role Hotel Rwanda Nominated
Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture Nominated

Theatre Awards

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2014 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play A Raisin in the Sun Won [17]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Nominated [36]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Nominated [37]
2016 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play The Crucible Nominated [38]
2018 Evening Standard Theatre Award Best Actress Antony and Cleopatra Won [39]
Critics’ Circle Theatre Award Best Shakespearean Performance Won [40]
2019 Laurence Olivier Award Best Actress Nominated [41]
2023 Evening Standard Theatre Award Best Actress Medea Nominated [42]
2024 Laurence Olivier Award Best Actress Nominated [43]

Audio

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2010 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales Won [44][45]
Multi-Voiced Performance

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 12.
  2. ^ "2019 New Year Honours List". The London Gazette. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  3. ^ "FreeBMD Entry Info". www2.freebmd.org.uk. 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  4. ^ "David Bowie promises new music 'soon'". Independent.co.uk. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Sophie Okonedo". BFI. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008.
  6. ^ a b Soloski, Alexis (10 April 2014). "Sophie Okonedo on Broadway: 'We try out different things every night'". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  7. ^ Pool, Hannah Azieb (15 July 2009). "Question Time: Sophie Okonedo, star of Skin and Mrs Mandela". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  8. ^ Nathan, John (7 October 2016). "Sophie Okonedo: On her way from Wembley". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  9. ^ Husband, Stuart (23 November 2008). "Sophie Okonedo: the resting actress". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  10. ^ Franks, Alan (8 December 2007). "Sophie Okonedo does the twist". The Times. UK. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  11. ^ "Sophie Okonedo: Fame, here I come". The Independent. 4 March 2005. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022.
  12. ^ Hoggard, Liz (20 February 2005). "'I guess I'm up for grabs now'". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  13. ^ "Interfaith Celebrities The Jewish Mermaid – InterfaithFamily". 16 January 2007.
  14. ^ RADA website entry Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Director Says Harvey Weinstein Recast the Lead in His Film Because the Actress Wasn't 'F*ckable', Jackson McHenry, Vulture.com, 17 October 2017
  16. ^ Ben Dowell (11 March 2009). "BBC commissions Winnie Mandela drama". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  17. ^ a b Staff. "Just the Winners, Please: Who Won the 68th Annual Tony Awards" Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, 8 June 2014
  18. ^ Gioia, Michael."The "American Dream": Tony-Winning Revival of 'A Raisin in the Sun' Recoups" Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, 10 June 2014
  19. ^ Brantley, Ben (31 March 2016). "Review: In Arthur Miller's Crucible, First They Came for the Witches". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  20. ^ Ratcliffe, Amy (10 December 2021). "THE WHEEL OF TIME'S SHOWRUNNER ON MOIRAINE AND SIUAN". Nerdist. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Snook, David Tennant Score Olivier Awards Nominations — Full List". Variety. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  22. ^ "I guess I'm up for grabs now" The Guardian
  23. ^ "New Jews" channel4.com
  24. ^ "Sophie Okonedo: ‘I’m a really emotional person – I sometimes feel like all my skin is off" theguardian.com
  25. ^ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 12.
  26. ^ "2019 New Year Honours List". The London Gazette. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  27. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2 December 2024). "Sophie Okonedo To Receive Richard Harris Award At 2024 BIFAs". Deadline. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Undercover: Episode 1: Credits". BBC Online. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  29. ^ Danaher, Caitlin (24 September 2020). "Sophie Okonedo joins cast of Britannia for upcoming third series". Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  30. ^ Billington, Michael (9 December 2011). "Haunted Child – review by Michael Billington". The Guardian.
  31. ^ Brantley, Ben (15 June 2014). "No Rest for the Weary". The New York Times.
  32. ^ Brantley, Ben (17 July 2016). "Review: In Arthur Miller's 'Crucible,' First They Came for the Witches". The New York Times.
  33. ^ Wolf, Matt (24 April 2017). "Adultery with a Difference on the London Stage". The New York Times.
  34. ^ Cooke, Dominic (2022). "Medea performed at @Sohoplace Feb–April 2023". @sohoplace.
  35. ^ "Black Reel Awards – Past Nominees & Winners by Category". Black Reel Awards. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  36. ^ "The 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards". New York Theater Guide. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  37. ^ Gans, Andrew (12 May 2014). "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; Gentleman's Guide Wins Four Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  38. ^ Variety Staff; Staff, Variety (12 June 2016). "Tony Awards Winners: Complete List". Variety. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  39. ^ Thompson, Jessie (19 November 2018). "Find out the winners of this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  40. ^ "2018 Results | Critics' Circle Theatre Awards". 29 January 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  41. ^ "Winners list for the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard | Official Website". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  42. ^ "Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2023 Winners announced | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Olivier Awards 2024 complete nominees | The Guardian". www.theguardian.com. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  44. ^ "2010 audie-awards".
  45. ^ "Mandelas Favorite Folktales – Performers". 3 August 2020.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Sophie_Okonedo&oldid=1267880736"