Sophie Okonedo

Last updated on the 5 June 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 11 August 1968, London, England.

Sophie Okonedo is a British actress with a diverse heritage, her father being Nigerian and her mother Ashkenazi Jewish. Raised in London, Okonedo’s early life was marked by her mother’s dedication after her parents divorced when she was very young. She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), one of the UK’s most prestigious drama schools, where she developed her acting skills and prepared for a career on stage and screen.

Sophie Okonedo’s career highlights are numerous and span film, television and theatre. She gained international recognition for her powerful performance as Tatiana Rusesabagina in the 2004 film “Hotel Rwanda”, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her compelling portrayal showcased her ability to convey deep emotion and resilience.

Other notable film roles include “The Secret Life of Bees” (2008), “Mrs Mandela” (2010) and “Wild Rose” (2018). On television, she has been lauded for her work in “Undercover” and “Ratched”, demonstrating her versatility across different genres. Her stage career is equally impressive, earning her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in the 2014 Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun”.

Sophie Okonedo generally keeps her personal life private, focusing on her professional work. She has a daughter, Aoife and has spoken about the importance of her family. Her commitment to her craft and her thoughtful approach to her roles have cemented her reputation as one of Britain’s most respected and talented actresses.

Suggested viewing

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1

During the Rwandan genocide, a hotel manager transforms his establishment into a refuge. As violence escalates outside, he uses his wits, charm and resources to protect over a thousand Tutsis and moderate Hutus seeking sanctuary within the hotel’s walls, desperately striving to keep them safe amidst the unfolding horrors.

Top cast: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Ofentse Modiselle, Desmond Dube, Mathabo Pieterson, Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2

Stephen Frears’ compelling drama, “Dirty Pretty Things” centres on the perilous lives of undocumented immigrants in London. The narrative follows Okwe, a Nigerian physician and Senay, a Turkish hotel maid, as they cross paths and stumble upon a sinister organ trafficking operation. This discovery propels them into a desperate struggle for justice and a chance at a new beginning.

Top cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okonedo, Audrey Tautou, Benedict Wong, Kriss Dosanjh, Zlatko Buric, Sergi López, Israel Oyelumade.

Undercover (2016)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.8

A prominent British lawyer is poised for a significant career advancement, but her world is upended when long-buried secrets about her seemingly perfect husband surface. His past as an undercover officer threatens to expose their family to immense danger and compromise her new, high-profile position, forcing her to confront a web of deceit.

Top cast: Sophie Okonedo, Adrian Lester, Dennis Haysbert, Alistair Petrie, Tamara Lawrance, Shannon Hayes, Daniel Ezra, David Schofield.

Mayday (2013)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.6

In a seemingly idyllic, tradition-steeped rural town, the annual May Day festivities take a sinister turn when the teenage May Queen vanishes. Her disappearance throws the close-knit community into chaos, as long-held secrets and simmering tensions surface, leading residents to suspect each other and question who among them might be responsible.

Top cast: Sophie Okonedo, Aidan Gillen, Lesley Manville, Peter Firth, Sam Spruell, Peter McDonald, Leila Mimmack, Max Fowler.

More Pagan shenanigans

Mrs Mandela (2010)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.4

This biographical drama charts the extraordinary transformation of a young woman from a rural background into a formidable anti-apartheid activist. It portrays her journey from a devoted wife to an imprisoned leader, showcasing her resilience and radicalisation under constant oppression while her husband was incarcerated, ultimately leading to her complex and often controversial public image.

Top cast: Sophie Okonedo, David Harewood, David Morrissey, Vusi Kunene, David Dennis, Jacques Gombault, Rika Sennett, Philip Godawa.

Full filmography @ Wikipedia