Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris
OBE
Harris in 2014
Born
Naomie Melanie Harris

(1976-09-06) 6 September 1976 (age 48)
Islington, London, England
Alma mater
OccupationActress
Years active1987–present
PartnerPeter Legler (2012–present)
AwardsFull list

Naomie Melanie Harris (born 6 September 1976) is an English actress. She started her career when she was a child, appearing in the television series Simon and the Witch in 1987. She portrayed Selena in the zombie film 28 Days Later (2002), the witch Tia Dalma in the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean films, Winnie Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), and Frances Barrison / Shriek in Sony's Spider-Man Universe film Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). She portrayed Eve Moneypenny in the James Bond films Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021).

In 2016, she starred in the critically acclaimed film Moonlight, a performance that earned her a number of accolades, including nominations for the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Harris was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Early life and education

Naomie Harris was born and raised in Islington, London. Her mother Carmen Harris (sometimes credited as Lisselle Kayla),[1][2] having emigrated from Jamaica to London as a child with her parents, has worked as a screenwriter on EastEnders and as a healer.[3] Harris' fashion designer father Brian Clarke emigrated from Trinidad to the UK, and has British, Grenadian, and Guyanese ancestors.[4][5] They separated before Harris was born, and she was raised by her mother in a council flat in Finsbury Park.[6] Her mother later remarried, and Harris has two younger half-siblings.[3]

Harris attended St Marylebone School in London.[7] During childhood she studied acting at the Anna Scher Theatre[8][9] before attending Woodhouse College as a sixth-form student. She graduated from Pembroke College, Cambridge, in 1998 with a degree in social and political sciences. Harris trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[10][11][12]

Career

Harris has appeared in television and film since she was nine, including a starring role in the remake of the science fiction series The Tomorrow People.[13] In 2000, she played Susan in The Witch of Edmonton at the Southwark Playhouse. She was in the cast of She Stoops to Conquer (Radio 3), Studio 3, Pebble Mill, May 2000. In November 2002, she starred in Danny Boyle's postapocalyptic film 28 Days Later.[14] In the same year, she starred in the television adaptation of Zadie Smith's White Teeth.[15][16] Harris has appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, and Michael Mann's Miami Vice.[14] She did a comic turn in Michael Winterbottom's indie ensemble piece, A Cock and Bull Story (2005).[17] She starred in Channel 4's adaptation of the 2006 novel Poppy Shakespeare, which was first shown on 31 March 2008. She also appeared in BBC's historical drama Small Island in December 2009.[18][19]

Harris at the 2007 BAFTA gala

She played Elizabeth Lavenza in Danny Boyle's stage production of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for the National Theatre from 22 February to 2 May 2011.[20] She played the lead role in The First Grader, directed by Justin Chadwick, which was premiered on 18 May 2011 in the Seattle International Film Festival.[21]

Harris co-starred in the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall (2012), playing Miss Moneypenny.[3] She is the first black actress to play Moneypenny, and is the first Moneypenny to be given a first name.[22] Harris reprised her role as Moneypenny in the 24th Bond film, Spectre, which was released on 26 October 2015.[23]

Harris portrayed Winnie Mandela in the biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, based on the book of the same name, opposite the actor Idris Elba.[24][25] The film was released on 29 November 2013. On viewing the film, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told Harris that it seemed as if she were not acting, but channeling her, and that it was "the first time she felt truly captured on film".[26][27]

In 2016, Harris starred as Paula in the critically acclaimed film Moonlight. She played the abusive, drug-addicted mother of the film's main character, Chiron. The film follows her son and her through a 20-year period. Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Harris was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, among other awards.[28]

In 2021, Harris reprised her role as Eve Moneypenny in the James Bond film No Time to Die and starred as Frances Barrison / Shriek in Venom: Let There Be Carnage. In July 2023, Harris narrated 'That girl is going to get herself killed'[29] on Curio, an audio platform.

Personal life

At about 11, Harris was diagnosed with scoliosis. The condition progressed severely into her teen years which necessitated a spinal fusion; it took her a month to recover fully and she had to learn how to walk again.[30] As a teenager, Harris also suffered from adenomyosis.[31]

In 2012, Harris began a relationship with Peter Legler.[32][33]

On the topic of having children, Harris stated in a 2017 interview with Woman magazine:[34]

People ask, 'So when are you going to have children?' I think it's a really odd thing because it's such a personal decision. And also, you don't know what is happening in someone's life. I find it bizarre, even with my friends, when they want me to have children. Why would you encourage anybody to have children unless it was their burning desire? You need to be fully committed to it ... Have children when you're ready, if you're ready, but only then. I'd never had any pressure.[34][35][36]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes work that has not yet been released.

Film

Harris at the Australian premiere of Skyfall at the State Theatre in 2012
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Crust The Receptionist
2002 Living In Hope Ginny
Anansi Carl
28 Days Later Selena Won — Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance
2004 Trauma Elisa
After the Sunset Sophie
2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Tia Dalma
Miami Vice Trudy Joplin
A Cock and Bull Story Jennie
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Tia Dalma / Calypso
2008 Street Kings Linda Washington
Explicit Ills Jill
August Sarah
2009 Morris: A Life with Bells On Sonja
Ninja Assassin Europol Agent Mika Coretti
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll Denise
My Last Five Girlfriends Gemma
2010 The First Grader Jane Obinchu
2012 Skyfall Eve Moneypenny
2013 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Winnie Mandela
2015 Southpaw Angela Rivera
Spectre Eve Moneypenny
2016 Our Kind of Traitor Gail Perkins
Moonlight Paula Nominated:
Collateral Beauty Madeleine
2018 Rampage Dr. Kate Caldwell
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Nisha Voice and motion capture
2019 Black and Blue Alicia West
2021 Venom: Let There Be Carnage Frances Barrison / Shriek
No Time to Die Eve Moneypenny
Swan Song Poppy Turner
2024 The Wasp Heather
Robin and the Hoods Clipboard
2025 Black Bag † Filming[37]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1987–1988 Simon and the Witch Joyce 12 episodes
1989 Erasmus Microman Millie 1 episode
1992–1993 Runaway Bay Shuku 17 episodes
1992–1995 The Tomorrow People Ami Jackson 16 episodes
2000 Dream Team Lola Olokwe 1 episode
2002 Trial & Retribution V Tara Gray 1 episode
White Teeth Clara 4 episodes
The Project Maggie Dunn Television film
2002–2003 Dinotopia Romana 2 episodes
2008 Poppy Shakespeare Poppy Shakespeare Television film
2009 Small Island Hortense Roberts Television film
Blood and Oil Alice Omuka Television film
2010 Accused Alison Wade 1 episode
2020 The Third Day Helen Main role
2022 The Man Who Fell to Earth Justin Falls Main role, series

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Fable III Page Voice
2012 007 Legends Eve Moneypenny Voice
2021 Sea of Thieves Tia Dalma Voice

Theatre

Year Title Role
2000 The Witch of Edmonton Susan Carter
2011 Frankenstein Elizabeth Lavenza

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Naomie Harris

In addition to numerous acting awards, Harris was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours, for services to drama. She received the honour from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on 23 February 2017.[6] She has also been recognised for her influence with her addition in the 2019 edition of the Powerlist, ranking the 100 most influential Black Britons.[38]

References

  1. ^ Robey, Tim (1 February 2017). "Naomie Harris on the future of Bond, Oscar hopes, and why she didn't want to play a crack addict". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  2. ^ Daniel, Christopher A. (4 November 2016). "Naomie Harris on the 'emotional journey' of making 'Moonlight'". NBCNews.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Lilia Diu, Nisha (25 October 2012). "Naomie Harris interview for Skyfall: RIP the Bond girl". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  4. ^ Philby, Charlotte (24 April 2010). "My Secret Life: Naomie Harris, actress, 33". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Naomie Harris' shocking Who Do You Think You Are? episode discovers family link". Birmingham Mail. 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b de Kierk, Amy (23 February 2017). "Naomie Harris is awarded with an OBE". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  7. ^ Koski, Lorna (22 November 2013). "Naomie Harris Talks 'Mandela'". WWD.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Being a Bond girl is 'beyond my dreams'". Daily Telegraph. 5 March 2012. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  9. ^ "Naomie Harris". ContentMode.com. 1 October 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Naomie Harris OBE". oldvic.ac.uk. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  11. ^ Kellaway, Kate (21 March 2010). "Naomie Harris: 'I want to play Elizabeth Bennet'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Naomie Harris: "You Have To Be Courageous And Keep Picking Yourself Up"". British Vogue. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Naomie Harris Biography". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Naomie Harris- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  15. ^ Diu, Nisha Lilia (25 October 2012). "Naomie Harris interview for Skyfall: RIP the Bond girl". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  16. ^ O'Connell, Dee (20 October 2002). "Naomie Harris: Britain's hottest new actress". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  17. ^ Uhlich, Keith (6 October 2005). "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story". slantmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  18. ^ "Small Island: Naomie Harris plays Hortense". BBC. 14 October 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  19. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (17 April 2010). "'Small Island' weaves tale of hope and despair". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  20. ^ Rozen, Leah (17 May 2011). "Actress Naomie Harris: From First Grade to 'Frankenstein'". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  21. ^ "Naomie Harris On The First Grader". Empire. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  22. ^ Roy, Amit (6 November 2011). "Tittle tittle". The Daily Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  23. ^ Singh, Anita (4 December 2014). "Spectre: James Bond 24 title is revealed". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  24. ^ Browne, Niall (13 March 2012). "Idris Elba & Naomie Harris Take A 'Long Walk To Freedom'". screenrant.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  25. ^ "Interview Naomie Harris: It was hard playing the dark side of Winnie Mandela". The Spectator. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  26. ^ Smith, Julia Liewellyn (2 January 2014). "Naomie Harris interview: 'Winnie Mandela terrified me'". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Naomie Harris Nervous to meet Winnie Mandela". RTÉ Ireland. 5 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  28. ^ Harbin, Chanelle (24 January 2017). "Naomie Harris Gets Actress In A Supporting Role Nomination For Oscars 2017". oscar.go.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Naomie Harris: Death & danger in America's national parks". Curio.
  30. ^ O'Brien, Pam (11 September 2019). "How Scoliosis Changed Actor Naomie Harris' Outlook On Life". Shape. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  31. ^ Hirsch, Afua (7 April 2019). "Naomie Harris On Being Bullied, Studying At Cambridge And How Black Women Are Finally Being Recognised In Hollywood". The Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Naomie Harris: Don't ask me about kids". mid-day. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  33. ^ Walden, Celia (12 May 2016). "Naomie Harris interview: 'What Sheridan Smith is going through is so hard'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  34. ^ a b Rosseinsky, Katie (23 February 2017). "Naomie Harris Wants People To Stop Asking When She'll Have Children". Grazia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  35. ^ Clarke, Cath (11 October 2019). "Naomie Harris: 'After Moonlight, I just wanted to open a nail salon'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  36. ^ Dray, Kayleigh (22 February 2017). "Naomie Harris has a message for everyone asking when she's going to have children". Stylist. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  37. ^ Kit, Borys (19 March 2024). "Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Burke Board Steven Soderbergh Spy Thriller Black Bag (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  38. ^ Hicks, Amber (23 October 2018). "List of 100 most influential black people includes Meghan Markle for first time". mirror. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
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Acting roles
Preceded by Miss Moneypenny actress
2012 – present 		Incumbent