Gugu Mbatha-Raw

First name in Zulu means "our treasure." Daughter of a South African doctor and a British nurse. Grew up in Witney, West Oxfordshire, England, where she took acting, dancing and saxophone lessons. Finished school early so she could perform in a 2004 open-air production of As You Like It. Nominated for a Manchester Evening News Award in 2005 for her lead role as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. First TV appearance was on the BBC drama Holby City. Made big-screen debut in the 2007 thriller Closure. Included on the 2008 UK Stars of Tomorrow list by Screen International, a global multimedia film magazine. In 2009 portrayed Ophelia in the London and Broadway productions of Hamlet. Cast as the female lead opposite Boris Kodjoe in the 2010 NBC series Undercovers, it marked her introduction to American TV. Was recognised in 2014 by Elle Magazine during the Women in Hollywood Awards for her outstanding achievements in film. Was nominated in 2015 for a BAFTA Rising Star Award in recognition of her body of work. Named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's 2017 Birthday Honours list.