---
name: "Carmen Ejogo"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/carmen-ejogo"
fi1m_id: "carmen-ejogo"
imdb_id: "nm0252238"
tmdb_id: 37158
wikidata_id: "Q391536"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 October 1973"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 65
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-09-27T09:04:37.444392+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Carmen Ejogo

## Identity

Carmen Ejogo

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/carmen-ejogo
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** carmen-ejogo
- **IMDb ID:** nm0252238
- **TMDB ID:** 37158
- **Wikidata ID:** Q391536
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Ejogo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q391536, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252238/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37158

Actor. Born 22 October 1973 in Kensington, London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 October 1973, Kensington, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 2014–present
- **Also known as:** Κάρμεν Ετζόγκο, Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo, کارمن اجوگو, כרמן איוגו, 카르멘 에조고, 卡雯·伊祖高, 卡門·艾喬格
- **Average Fi1m score:** 65, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 66 (5), 2020s 63 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 65 to 66 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 3, Drama 3, Fantasy 3, Mystery 2, Crime 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,772m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Ejogo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q391536, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252238/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37158

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*The Penguin*](https://film.one/tv/the-penguin.md) (78), [*Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md) (61), [*Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md) (46)
- **Netflix:** [*Selma*](https://film.one/film/selma.md) (84)
- **Peacock:** [*Alien: Covenant*](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md) (57)
- **Apple TV:** [*Fountain of Youth*](https://film.one/film/fountain-of-youth.md) (48)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Carmen Ejogo

> Carmen Ejogo gives quiet characters enough independence to unsettle the people beside them. We rate her for the reserve she brings to *Selma*, where Coretta Scott King is allowed to be more than a source of reassurance.

In *Selma* (2014), Carmen Ejogo makes the domestic scenes feel as though they belong to Coretta Scott King as well as to her husband. Her reserve unsettles the public confidence David Oyelowo gives him. We were moved by their quieter exchanges because she makes it impossible to treat Coretta as someone whose only purpose is to reassure him. Ejogo gives her concerns that do not disappear when the leading man speaks, and the scenes are better for that independence.

*Boycott* (2001) had already given her Coretta Scott King and an early American breakthrough. Returning to the part in *Selma* allowed a fuller emphasis on the marriage, and it remains the performance we would start with. Her later work moves between studio supporting parts, including Seraphina Picquery in *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), and Sarah in the intimate horror drama *It Comes at Night* (2017). Television gave her Amelia Reardon in *True Detective* (2019), a substantial role across several timelines. Those are different opportunities, though they do not make a simple story of ever larger parts.

Ava DuVernay's contribution to *Selma* matters here: she keeps other people present even when King has the floor. Ejogo's reserve works because the director allows us to notice it, and because Oyelowo gives her such assured public behaviour to question in private. Some of the film's exchanges sound too prepared, a limitation in a drama that depends on people listening and responding. The quieter scenes work better, giving both actors room to suggest feelings that the dialogue need not spell out.

Ejogo is frequently cast as resilient women under pressure, and it is easy to see why. The risk is being asked merely to look capable while someone else gets the difficult scene. In *Selma*, she has something more useful to do: Coretta's independence makes us reconsider the man at the centre of the film. We would welcome more parts that give Ejogo the talking, as well as the listening.

## Biography

Carmen Ejogo is a British actress and singer. Born on 22 October 1973 in Kensington, London, she made her feature film debut as a teenager in the musical *Absolute Beginners* (1986).

She gained wider recognition for her leading role as Sally Hemings in the television film *Sally Hemings: An American Scandal* (2000). Ejogo has twice portrayed Coretta Scott King, first in the HBO film *Boycott* (2001) and again in *Selma* (2014). Other notable film roles include appearances in the *Fantastic Beasts* series (2016, 2018), *Alien: Covenant* (2017) and *The Purge: Anarchy* (2014). She has also worked in television, including in *True Detective* (2014) and *The Penguin* (2024).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, latimes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Fountain of Youth* (2025), Fi1m 48, as Deb McCall — [page](https://film.one/film/fountain-of-youth.md)
- *The Penguin* (2024), Fi1m 78, as Eve Karlo — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-penguin.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018), Fi1m 46, as Seraphina Picquery — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md)
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), Fi1m 57, as Karine — [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), Fi1m 61, as Seraphina Picquery — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md)
- *Selma* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Coretta Scott King — [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *True Detective* (2014), Fi1m 80, as Amelia Reardon — [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)

## Complete filmography (46)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Julia Set* (2026), Actor
- *Wild Cherry* (2025), series, as Lorna Gibbons
- *Fountain of Youth* (2025), as Deb McCall — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/fountain-of-youth.md)
- *Goodrich* (2024), as Lola
- *The Penguin* (2024), series, as Eve Karlo — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-penguin.md)
- *I'm a Virgo* (2023), series, as LaFrancine
- *The Crowded Room* (2023), series, as DDA Patricia Richards
- *Forty Winks* (2022), as Nina Sherman
- *Your Honor* (2020), series, as Lee Delamere
- *Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker* (2020), series, as Addie
- *Rattlesnake* (2019), as Katrina Ridgeway · Executive Producer
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018), as Seraphina Picquery — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md)
- *Roman J. Israel, Esq.* (2017), as Maya Alston
- *It Comes at Night* (2017), as Sarah
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), as Karine — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), as Seraphina Picquery — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md)
- *The Girlfriend Experience* (2016), series, as Bria Jones / Sarah Day
- *Born to Be Blue* (2015), as Jane/Elaine
- *Selma* (2014), as Coretta Scott King — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *The Purge: Anarchy* (2014), as Eva Sanchez
- *True Detective* (2014), series, as Amelia Reardon — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)
- *Zero Hour* (2013), series, as Rebecca 'Beck' Riley
- *Alex Cross* (2012), as Maria Cross
- *Sparkle* (2012), as Sister
- *CHAOS* (2011), series, as Fay Carson
- *Away We Go* (2009), as Grace De Tessant
- *Pride and Glory* (2008), as Tasha
- *The Brave One* (2007), as Jackie
- *Kidnapped* (2006), series, as Turner
- *Lackawanna Blues* (2005), as Alean
- *Noel* (2004), as Dr. Batiste
- *What's the Worst That Could Happen?* (2001), as Amber Belhaven
- *Perfume* (2001), as Chloe
- *Boycott* (2001), as Coretta Scott King
- *Love's Labour's Lost* (2000), as Maria
- *Sally Hemings: An American Scandal* (2000), as Sally Hemings
- *Sally Hemings: An American Scandal* (2000), series, as Sally Hemings
- *Tube Tales* (1999), as Girl (segment "Steal Away")
- *Colour Blind* (1998), series, as Rose-Angela Patterson
- *The Avengers* (1998), as Brenda
- *I Want You* (1998), as Amber
- *Metro* (1997), as Ronnie Tate
- *Cold Lazarus* (1996), series, as Blinda
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as April Lannen — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Absolute Beginners* (1986), as Carmen
- *Untitled Roald Dahl Series*, series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Carmen Ejogo](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-8c9e28818b19.jpg) Carmen Ejogo — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Carmen_Ejogo_%2847780435881%29.jpg/1280px-Carmen_Ejogo_%2847780435881%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-f7964dc7d65e.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-4ab935b58ce9.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%282%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-73143240abac.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%283%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%283%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carmen Ejogo](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-e3128e77ad23.jpg) Carmen Ejogo — Image via TMDB
- ![Carmen Ejogo](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-92128e0022d8.jpg) Carmen Ejogo — Image via TMDB
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002)](https://film.one/media/person/121250/gallery-b7d5a146c8b3.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS L to R: Shelby Stone, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Clark Johnson and Norman Twain 61st Annual Peabody Awards Lun (2002) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%284%29.jpg/1280px-Shelby_Stone%2C_Carmen_Ejogo%2C_Jeffrey_Wright%2C_Clark_Johnson_and_Norman_Twain%2C_May_20%2C_2002_%284%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/carmen-ejogo