From a school nativity play to the heights of the Star Wars universe
In short: Long before she was winning BAFTAs or appearing in blockbuster sci-fi, Naomi Ackie’s acting journey began with a much smaller role: playing the angel Gabriel. Discover how this London-born talent moved from school productions to becoming a standout performer in modern cinema.
Born in Walthamstov, London, in August 1991, Naomi Ackie is the daughter of Grenadian immigrants, with a father who worked for Transport for London and a mother employed by the NHS. Her professional path began at just eleven years old, when she performed as the angel Gabriel in a school nativity play. She later refined her craft at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2012 from their collaborative devised theatre program. She attended the Walthamstow School for Girls before pursuing her formal training.
Ackie’s ascent in the industry was marked by significant critical recognition. In 2017, she was honored with a British Independent Film Award as a promising newcomer following her performance in the 2016 film Lady Macbeth. Her television work has been equally impactful, notably earning her a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2019 series The End of the F***ing World. Her television credits also include a role in the series Master of None. She also appeared in the drama Education, which was part of Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology.
Her filmography spans diverse genres, from the Star Wars saga in The Rise of Skywalker to biographical dramas. In the 2022 film I Wanna Dance with Somebody, she portrayed Whitney Houston, a performance that garnered widespread acclaim; Variety even described her as a master of lip-syncing. Her recent and upcoming projects include Zoë Kravitz's Blink Twice, Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17, and Eva Victor's Sorry, Baby. The Hollywood Reporter has even noted that she possesses the ability to sing. Her upcoming work includes the 2025 film Mickey 17, where she stars alongside Robert Pattinson.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Naomi Ackie
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