Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo is a British actor known for work across film, theatre and television. Her career recognition includes an Academy Award nomination for Hotel Rwanda, a Tony Award for A Raisin in the Sun, and appointment as a CBE for services to drama.

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About Sophie Okonedo

Profile information current to 2026-08-19.

United Kingdom · Actor

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Known for: Film acting; Theatre acting; Television acting
Country: United Kingdom

Actor

At a glance

Okonedo has described a mixed Anglo-Nigerian and Jewish-Christian family background.
She received a 2005 Academy Award nomination for her supporting performance in Hotel Rwanda.
She won the 2014 Tony Award for Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun.
Her television work has received recognition from BAFTA and the Television Academy.
She was appointed OBE in 2010 and CBE in 2019 for services to drama.

Background and training

Born in 1968, Okonedo has a mixed family background described in a Guardian interview as Anglo-Nigerian and Jewish-Christian. She completed an Acting Diploma at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1990, and the British Film Institute identifies Young Soul Rebels as her big-screen debut.

Film and television career

Okonedo's film career brought an Academy Award nomination for Actress in a Supporting Role for Hotel Rwanda in 2005. Her television recognition includes two BAFTA nominations in 2010, for Mrs Mandela and Criminal Justice, and a 2021 Primetime Emmy nomination for her guest performance as Charlotte Wells in Ratched.

Stage work and public honours

On stage, Okonedo won a Tony Award in 2014 for A Raisin in the Sun and played Cleopatra in the National Theatre's 2018–2019 production of Antony & Cleopatra. Her services to drama were recognized through appointment as an OBE in 2010 and a CBE in 2019.

Timeline

1990 Graduated from RADA's Acting Diploma programme.
1991 Made her big-screen debut in Young Soul Rebels, according to the British Film Institute.
2005 Received an Academy Award nomination for Actress in a Supporting Role for Hotel Rwanda.
2010 Appointed OBE for services to drama.
2014 Won the Tony Award for Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun.
2018 Played Cleopatra in the National Theatre production of Antony & Cleopatra, documented for 2018–2019.
2019 Appointed CBE for services to drama.
2021 Received a Primetime Emmy nomination for guest acting as Charlotte Wells in Ratched.

Additional verified details

Biographical facts

Okonedo was born in 1968.
A 2014 Guardian interview described Okonedo's inherited background as Anglo-Nigerian and Jewish-Christian, supporting reference to her Nigerian heritage within a broader mixed-heritage context.
Okonedo completed an Acting Diploma at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and graduated in 1990.
The British Film Institute identifies Young Soul Rebels as Okonedo's big-screen debut.
BAFTA's 2010 television awards records list Okonedo as a Leading Actress nominee for Mrs Mandela and a Supporting Actress nominee for Criminal Justice.
Okonedo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
Okonedo was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to drama.