---
name: "Sophie Okonedo"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sophie-okonedo"
fi1m_id: "sophie-okonedo"
imdb_id: "nm0645683"
tmdb_id: 2598
wikidata_id: "Q238864"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 August 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-07T16:25:16.249070+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."
---

# Sophie Okonedo

## Identity

Sophie Okonedo

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sophie-okonedo
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sophie-okonedo
- **IMDb ID:** nm0645683
- **TMDB ID:** 2598
- **Wikidata ID:** Q238864
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Okonedo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238864, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0645683/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2598

Actor. Born 11 August 1968 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 August 1968, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1995–present
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 66 (2), 2000s 80 (2), 2010s 67 (6), 2020s 82 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 63 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 5, Adventure 3, Crime 3, History 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $699m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Okonedo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238864, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0645683/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2598

## Coming up

- *Clarissa* (2026-12-11), as Clarissa
- *The Great Beyond* (2027-09-29)

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Wild Rose*](https://film.one/film/wild-rose.md) (82), [*After Earth*](https://film.one/film/after-earth.md) (38)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Go Now*](https://film.one/film/go-now.md) (77)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Hotel Rwanda*](https://film.one/film/hotel-rwanda.md) (76)
- **Disney+:** [*Christopher Robin*](https://film.one/film/christopher-robin.md) (62)

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

## Fi1m on Sophie Okonedo

> Sophie Okonedo makes women under pressure feel like people with concerns beyond the plot. We value her seriousness, especially when the writing gives her less consideration than she gives the character.

In *Hotel Rwanda* (2004), Sophie Okonedo gives Tatiana Rusesabagina concerns of her own, even while the story concentrates on her husband's problems. Her seriousness makes the marriage to Don Cheadle's Paul matter beyond its usefulness to the suspense. We were moved by the couple because both actors make their distress plain without needing the music to encourage us. Okonedo is worth watching for that conviction, though this is also a good performance restricted by its script.

Her early British film and television parts were sometimes limited by stereotypical casting, before Juliette in Stephen Frears's *Dirty Pretty Things* (2002) brought greater notice. *Hotel Rwanda* became the international breakthrough, but it did not lead to a career confined to one kind of production. Salome Otterbourne in Kenneth Branagh's *Death on the Nile* (2022) belongs to the mainstream film work, alongside television appearances in *Slow Horses* and *The Wheel of Time*. Her Cleopatra in the National Theatre's *Antony and Cleopatra* (2018) is a useful reminder that the quiet strength often associated with her screen work describes only part of what she does.

Terry George gives Cheadle something substantial to play in Paul's everyday abilities. The screenplay George wrote with Keir Pearson is less generous to Okonedo, too often using Tatiana's vulnerability to increase her husband's difficulties. That leaves her suggesting a fuller person than the story makes room for. Naomi Geraghty's editing maintains urgency, though the increasing reliance on chases gives the danger a familiar thriller shape. The music by Martin Russell, Rupert Gregson-Williams and Andrea Guerra can also insist too eagerly on sadness that the two actors have already made plain.

Okonedo's approach is to find a personal connection with the person she plays, and that fits what we value in Tatiana. The performance keeps us concerned about this woman even when the film chiefly treats her danger as another problem for Paul to solve. Start with *Hotel Rwanda* for her partnership with Cheadle, with due allowance for a script that gives him considerably more to work with.

## Biography

Sophie Okonedo is a British actress and narrator. Born in London in 1968, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She began her screen career with a role in the 1991 film *Young Soul Rebels* and appeared in *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995) and *Dirty Pretty Things* (2002).

Her breakthrough came with the role of Tatiana Rusesabagina in *Hotel Rwanda* (2004), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Subsequent film roles include parts in *Æon Flux* (2005), *The Secret Life of Bees* (2008), *After Earth* (2013), *Christopher Robin* (2018), *Hellboy* (2019) and *Death on the Nile* (2022). On television she has appeared in *Doctor Who* (2010) and *The Wheel of Time* (2021–).

Okonedo has won a Tony Award for her stage work and received honours including appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2019, both for services to drama.

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

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Slow Horses* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Ingrid Tearney — [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md)
- *Modern Love* (2019), Fi1m 61, as Elizabeth Cannon — [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-love.md)
- *Wild Rose* (2019), Fi1m 82, as Susannah — [page](https://film.one/film/wild-rose.md)
- *Christopher Robin* (2018), Fi1m 62, as Kanga (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/christopher-robin.md)
- *Wanderlust* (2018), Fi1m 76, as Angela Bowden — [page](https://film.one/tv/wanderlust.md)
- *After Earth* (2013), Fi1m 38, as Faia Raige — [page](https://film.one/film/after-earth.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Margaret — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Criminal Justice* (2008), Fi1m 85, as Jackie Woolf — [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-justice.md)
- *Hotel Rwanda* (2004), Fi1m 76, as Tatiana Rusesabagina — [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-rwanda.md)
- *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), Fi1m 54, as The Wachati Princess — [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md)
- *Go Now* (1995), Fi1m 77, as Paula — [page](https://film.one/film/go-now.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

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

- *The Great Beyond* (2027), Actor
- *Clarissa* (2026), as Clarissa · Executive Producer
- *The Scarecrows' Wedding* (2026), as Narrator (voice)
- *Mouse* (2026), as Helen Bell
- *The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout* (2024), as Narrator
- *Janet Planet* (2024), as Regina
- *10 Lives* (2024), as Grace (voice)
- *Heart of Stone* (2023), as Nomad
- *Running With The Beest* (2022), Actor
- *Raymond & Ray* (2022), as Kiera
- *Catherine Called Birdy* (2022), as Ethelfritha Rose Splinter of Devon
- *Charlotte* (2022), as Ottilie Moore (voice)
- *Slow Horses* (2022), series, as Ingrid Tearney — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md)
- *Death on the Nile* (2022), as Salome Otterbourne
- *The Wheel of Time* (2021), series, as Siuan Sanche
- *Laika* (2021), Actor
- *Escaping Eritrea* (2021), as Narrator
- *Alien Worlds* (2020), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Ratched* (2020), series, as Charlotte Wells
- *His Dark Materials* (2019), series, as Xaphania (voice)
- *Modern Love* (2019), series, as Elizabeth Cannon — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-love.md)
- *Criminal: UK* (2019), series, as Julia Bryce
- *Chimerica* (2019), series, as Tessa Kendrick
- *Wild Rose* (2019), as Susannah — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/wild-rose.md)
- *Hellboy* (2019), as Lady Hatton
- *Flack* (2019), series, as Caroline
- *National Theatre Live: Antony & Cleopatra* (2018), as Cleopatra
- *Wanderlust* (2018), series, as Angela Bowden — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/wanderlust.md)
- *Christopher Robin* (2018), as Kanga (voice) — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/christopher-robin.md)
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Concorde: A Supersonic Story* (2017), as Narrator (voice)
- *Wimbledon Official Film 2016* (2016), as Narrator
- *The Good Terrorist* (2016), as Narrator (voice)
- *Undercover* (2016), series, as Maya Cobbina
- *War Book* (2015), as Philippa
- *Earth's Natural Wonders* (2015), series, as Narrator
- *The Stranger on the Bridge* (2015), as Narrator
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Katrina — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *The Escape Artist* (2013), series, as Maggie Gardner
- *After Earth* (2013), as Faia Raige — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/after-earth.md)
- *Mayday* (2013), series, as Fiona Hill
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Margaret — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *The Slap* (2011), series, as Aisha
- *Mrs Mandela* (2010), as Winnie Mandela
- *Return to Africa's Witch Children* (2009), as Narrator
- *Skin* (2009), as Sandra Laing
- *Father & Son* (2009), series, as Connie Turner
- *The Secret Life of Bees* (2008), as May Boatwright
- *Criminal Justice* (2008), series, as Jackie Woolf — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-justice.md)
- *Saving Africa's Witch Children* (2008), as Narrator
- *Oliver Twist* (2007), series, as Nancy
- *Martian Child* (2007), as Sophie
- *Racism: A History* (2007), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Celebration* (2007), as Sonia
- *Tsunami: The Aftermath* (2006), series, as Susie Carter
- *Scenes of a Sexual Nature* (2006), as Anna
- *Stormbreaker* (2006), as Mrs Jones
- *Æon Flux* (2005), as Sithandra
- *Born With Two Mothers* (2005), as Lucretia Bridges
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Liz 10 — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Hotel Rwanda* (2004), as Tatiana Rusesabagina — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-rwanda.md)
- *Whose Baby?* (2004), as Karen Jenkins
- *This World* (2004), series, Actor
- *Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka* (2003), series, as Alison Cheney (voice)
- *Doctor Who: The Scream of the Shalka* (2003), as Alison Cheney
- *Alibi* (2003), as Marcey Burgess
- *Dirty Pretty Things* (2002), as Juliette
- *Spooks* (2002), series, as Amanda Roke — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/spooks.md)
- *Dead Casual* (2002), as Donna
- *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries* (2002), series, as Eve Bowen
- *Sweet Revenge* (2001), series, as Ellen Lewis
- *Never Never* (2000), series, as Jo Weller
- *Peaches* (2000), as Pippa
- *In Defence* (2000), series, as Bernie Kramer
- *Mad Cows* (1999), as Rosie
- *This Year's Love* (1999), as Denise
- *The Jackal* (1997), as Jamaican Girl
- *Staying Alive* (1996), series, as Kelly Booth
- *Deep Secrets* (1996), as Honey
- *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), as The Wachati Princess — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md)
- *Go Now* (1995), as Paula — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/go-now.md)
- *The Governor* (1995), series, as Moira Levitt
- *Age of Treason* (1993), as Niobe
- *Maria's Child* (1993), as Melanie
- *Mad Bad Mortal Beings* (1992), as Cait
- *Murder Most Horrid* (1991), series, as Rachel
- *Young Soul Rebels* (1991), as Tracy
- *Miss Queencake* (1991), Actor
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Gina Russell — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Melanie
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Star of Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Hotel Rwanda, and Æon Flux. May 2016](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-d1a9d14efc21.jpg) Star of Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Hotel Rwanda, and Æon Flux. May 2016 — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Sophie_Okonedo_%2826810957362%29.jpg/1280px-Sophie_Okonedo_%2826810957362%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sophie Okonedo](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-4fdc2c085ec2.jpg) Sophie Okonedo — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Sophie_Okonedo_%2826810957362%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sophie Okonedo at the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam, where "War Book" was the opening film](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-c1cd4eb4445d.jpg) Sophie Okonedo at the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam, where "War Book" was the opening film — Vera de Kok, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Sophie_Okonedo_-_IFFR_2015.jpg/1280px-Sophie_Okonedo_-_IFFR_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sophie Okonedo at the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam, where "War Book" was the opening film](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-d7c1f351091a.jpg) Sophie Okonedo at the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam, where "War Book" was the opening film — Vera de Kok, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Sophie_Okonedo_-_IFFR_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Sophie_Okonedo_-_IFFR_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sophie Okonedo](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-e324d51eb0b7.jpg) Sophie Okonedo — Image via TMDB
- ![Sophie Okonedo](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-5507fa44c02d.jpg) Sophie Okonedo — Image via TMDB
- ![Sophie Okonedo](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-0c8c49534aa6.jpg) Sophie Okonedo — Image via TMDB
- ![Cast and crew of "War Book", opening film of the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-ea70e27f97db.jpg) Cast and crew of "War Book", opening film of the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam — Vera de Kok, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/War_Book_-_IFFR_2015.jpg/1280px-War_Book_-_IFFR_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sophie Okonedo](https://film.one/media/person/98517/gallery-bdad630bb5dd.jpg) Sophie Okonedo — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2005: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Hotel Rwanda*

### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2016: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated), for *The Crucible*
- Theatre World Award 2014: Theatre World Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2014: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/sophie-okonedo