---
name: "Thandiwe Newton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/thandiwe-newton"
fi1m_id: "thandiwe-newton"
imdb_id: "nm0628601"
tmdb_id: 9030
wikidata_id: "Q229029"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "6 November 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 61
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T18:19:19.207562+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."
---

# Thandiwe Newton

## Identity

Thandiwe Newton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/thandiwe-newton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** thandiwe-newton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0628601
- **TMDB ID:** 9030
- **Wikidata ID:** Q229029
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandiwe_Newton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229029, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0628601/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9030

Actor. Born 6 November 1972 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 6 November 1972, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** Thandie Newton, Melanie Thandiwe Newton
- **Frequently works with:** [Tom Cruise](https://film.one/person/tom-cruise.md)
- **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 61, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 79 (1), 2000s 49 (4), 2010s 70 (3), 2020s 60 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 61 to 60 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 6 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 5, Action 3, Drama 3, Animation 2, Comedy 2, Family 2
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,935m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandiwe_Newton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229029, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0628601/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9030

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Solo: A Star Wars Story*](https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story.md) (58), [*Mufasa: The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/mufasa-the-lion-king.md) (57), [*2012*](https://film.one/film/2012.md) (57)
- **Apple TV:** [*Line of Duty*](https://film.one/tv/line-of-duty.md) (79), [*Norbit*](https://film.one/film/norbit.md) (31)
- **HBO Max:** [*Interview with the Vampire*](https://film.one/film/interview-with-the-vampire.md) (79)
- **Netflix:** [*Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) (64)
- **Paramount+:** [*Mission: Impossible II*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md) (55)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Crash*](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md) (54)

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

## Fi1m on Thandiwe Newton

> Thandiwe Newton is most interesting when her characters push against the limits placed on them. We value her emotional force; the gentleness of her recent voice work is useful, but can make a character less interesting.

In *Mufasa: The Lion King* (2024), Eshe notices the orphan whom Obasi scarcely looks at. Thandiwe Newton supplies her voice, giving Barry Jenkins's film some kindness where the cub's welcome is uncertain. It is useful work in an uneven film, though Mads Mikkelsen provides the voice that makes a lion's face seem to think. Newton's warmth helps, but it offers only a small sample of what makes her worth watching.

Her early film work moved from a debut in *Flirting* (1991) to Yvette in Neil Jordan's *Interview with the Vampire* (1994), then the title role in *Beloved* (1998). Jordan's film is worth seeing for Tom Cruise's malicious wit and Kirsten Dunst's forceful presence, rather than as an introduction to Newton. Yvette is an early supporting part; the Toni Morrison adaptation gave Newton a lead to carry.

The emotional intensity and physical commitment of *Crash* (2004) and her Maeve Millay in *Westworld* (2016–2022) give a clearer sense of her strengths. Maeve is the more useful starting point: a role sustained over several series, combining action with vulnerability and the effort to gain control. Newton makes that effort convincing without suggesting that the character can no longer be hurt. Large productions have not always used her as well; *Solo: A Star Wars Story* (2018) is one such underused appearance.

Sam Fell's *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023) asks for something gentler, with Newton's Ginger raising Molly alongside Rocky. She is warmer, steadier and less prickly, a competent recasting that still feels like a loss. We were disappointed by the softened Ginger, because the voice gives us less of the irritation that made the character interesting. The performance fits the film's tidy family entertainment, but with so few gags landing hard, it could use a little more friction. Start with *Westworld* if the aim is to see why Newton matters.

## Biography

Thandiwe Newton, also credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. Born in London on 6 November 1972, she made her screen debut in the 1991 film *Flirting* and later studied anthropology at the University of Cambridge.

She is known for roles including Yvette in *Interview with the Vampire* (1994), Christine in *Crash* (2005), Maeve Millay in the series *Westworld* (2016–2022), and Val in *Solo: A Star Wars Story* (2018). Newton received an Emmy Award, a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and was appointed OBE in 2019 for services to film and charity.

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

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Mufasa: The Lion King* (2024), Fi1m 57, as Eshe (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/mufasa-the-lion-king.md)
- *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), Fi1m 64, as Ginger (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md)
- *Solo: A Star Wars Story* (2018), Fi1m 58, as Val — [page](https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *Westworld* (2016), Fi1m 74, as Maeve Millay — [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md)
- *Line of Duty* (2012), Fi1m 79, as DCI Roz Huntley — [page](https://film.one/tv/line-of-duty.md)
- *2012* (2009), Fi1m 57, as Laura Wilson — [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *Norbit* (2007), Fi1m 31, as Kate Thomas — [page](https://film.one/film/norbit.md)
- *Crash* (2005), Fi1m 54, as Christine Thayer — [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Mission: Impossible II* (2000), Fi1m 55, as Nyah Hall — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md)
- *Interview with the Vampire* (1994), Fi1m 79, as Yvette — [page](https://film.one/film/interview-with-the-vampire.md)

## Complete filmography (58)

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

- *Anaconda* (2025), as Claire Simons
- *Mufasa: The Lion King* (2024), as Eshe (voice) — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/mufasa-the-lion-king.md)
- *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), as Ginger (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md)
- *President* (2023), Executive Producer
- *Wednesday* (2022), series, as Dr. Rachael Fairburn — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/wednesday.md)
- *God's Country* (2022), as Sandra Guidry
- *All the Old Knives* (2022), as Celia Harrison
- *Human Resources* (2022), series, as Mona (voice)
- *Reminiscence* (2021), as Emily 'Watts' Sanders
- *Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema* (2020), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *The Death & Life of John F. Donovan* (2019), as Journalist
- *Solo: A Star Wars Story* (2018), as Val — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/solo-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *Gringo* (2018), as Bonnie Soyinka
- *Family Feud* (2018), as Joan
- *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Mona (voice)
- *Liyana* (2017), Executive Producer
- *Westworld* (2016), series, as Maeve Millay — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md)
- *The Slap* (2015), series, as Aisha
- *Half of a Yellow Sun* (2013), as Olanna
- *Rogue* (2013), series, as Grace Travis
- *Line of Duty* (2012), series, as DCI Roz Huntley — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/line-of-duty.md)
- *Good Deeds* (2012), as Lindsey
- *Retreat* (2011), as Kate
- *The Prophet* (2011), as Narrator
- *For Colored Girls* (2010), as Tangie / Orange
- *Vanishing on 7th Street* (2010), as Rosemary
- *Huge* (2010), as Kris
- *2012* (2009), as Laura Wilson — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *W.* (2008), as Condoleezza Rice
- *RocknRolla* (2008), as Stella
- *Run Fatboy Run* (2007), as Libby
- *Father and Son: On Screen and Off* (2007), Actor
- *Norbit* (2007), as Kate Thomas — Fi1m 31, [page](https://film.one/film/norbit.md)
- *The Pursuit of Happyness* (2006), as Linda
- *The Interrogation of Leo and Lisa* (2006), as The Mona Lisa
- *Crash* (2005), as Christine Thayer — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Makeva (voice)
- *The Chronicles of Riddick* (2004), as Dame Vaako
- *Shade* (2003), as Tiffany
- *The Truth About Charlie* (2002), as Regina Lambert
- *It Was an Accident* (2000), as Noreen Hurlock
- *Mission: Impossible II* (2000), as Nyah Hall — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md)
- *Beloved* (1998), as Beloved
- *Besieged* (1998), as Shandurai
- *In Your Dreams* (1997), as Clare
- *Gridlock'd* (1997), as Cookie
- *The Leading Man* (1996), as Hilary Rule
- *The Journey of August King* (1995), as Annalees
- *Jefferson in Paris* (1995), as Sally Hemings
- *Interview with the Vampire* (1994), as Yvette — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/interview-with-the-vampire.md)
- *ER* (1994), series, as Kem Likasu — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Loaded* (1994), as Zita
- *The Young Americans* (1993), as Rachael Stevens
- *Pirate Prince* (1991), as Becky Newton
- *Flirting* (1991), as Thandiwe Adjewa
- *Cry to Heaven*, Actor
- *The Wanted Man*, series, Actor
- *First Day on Earth*, series, as Anya

## Gallery

- ![Thandiwe Newton as Maeve Millay in Westworld (2016)](https://film.one/media/title/9166/still-98fb7f3e88d4.jpg) Thandiwe Newton as Maeve Millay in *Westworld* (2016) — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton as Kate Thomas in Norbit (2007)](https://film.one/media/title/8381/still-38304832fcdd.jpg) Thandiwe Newton as Kate Thomas in *Norbit* (2007) — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-e41c69b53305.png) Thandiwe Newton — Peabody Awards, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Thandiwe_Newton_Peabody_Awards%2C_June_2021.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-e827b53ec2cf.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-305795fd69a0.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-276502b8da6a.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-703987cb948f.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-0759408eeb92.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB
- ![Thandiwe Newton](https://film.one/media/person/10278/gallery-6eb153aaf1de.jpg) Thandiwe Newton — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2006: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (won), for *Crash*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2018: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *Westworld*

### Other awards — 8 won

- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2010 2019: Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2010 (won)
- OkayAfrica 100 Women 2019: OkayAfrica 100 Women (won)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire 2018: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Black Reel Awards for Television 2017: Black Reel Awards for Television (won)
- Black Reel Awards 2006: Black Reel Awards (won)
- British Academy Film Awards 2006: British Academy Film Awards (won)
- Empire Awards 2006: Empire Awards (won)
- London Film Critics' Circle 2006: London Film Critics' Circle (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/thandiwe-newton