Biography of Thandiwe Newton
Thandiwe Newton (born Melanie Thandiwe Newton) is a Hollywood actress from London. Among her most distinguished works are the television series "Westworld," and films such as "RocknRolla," "The Pursuit of Happyness," and "The Chronicles of Riddick." Newton has earned numerous accolades, including BAFTA, Black Reel, Critics' Choice, Empire, Satellite, Gold Derby TV Awards, IGN Awards, Television Critics Association Awards, plus nominations for Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Early Life
The future actress was born on November 6, 1972, in Westminster, while her parents were on vacation. Her mother, Nyasha, a princess of the Shona tribe from Zimbabwe, worked in healthcare. Her father, Nick Newton, an Englishman and performer, worked as a laboratory technician. The couple first met while working in Zambia.

In 1988, the 16-year-old met and began dating Australian film director and screenwriter John Duigan, who was 23 years her senior.
Acting Career
Two years after their passionate affair began, John Duigan cast her in his film "Flirting," a sequel to "The Year My Voice Broke," launching his protégé into a successful and illustrious career. One of the pivotal roles in this film was also awarded to Nicole Kidman, who would later become an Academy Award-winning actress.
Between 1992 and 1995, she studied anthropology at Downing College, University of Cambridge, earning her Bachelor's degree while continuing to pursue acting. The British crime drama "Young Americans" starring her was released in 1993.




In 2004, two films featuring Thandiwe were released: David Twohy's sci-fi action film "The Chronicles of Riddick" with Vin Diesel and Paul Haggis's Oscar-winning drama "Crash" with Don Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, and Matt Dillon. The film earned Newton BAFTA, Empire Awards, and Black Reel Award nominations, among others. She portrayed a wealthy black woman targeted by a racist police officer.

In 2009's Oliver Stone biopic "W.," she delivered one of her most powerful performances, transforming into Condoleezza Rice, the first African American and second woman (after Madeleine Albright) to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.


In 2016, HBO launched the sci-fi series "Westworld," which critics and publications would later hail as the year's best show. Set in a futuristic theme park populated by intelligent androids, guests can do anything to the robots—including rape and murder—since the androids' memories get wiped daily. Newton scored one of the show's central roles as android Maeve Millay, madam of the saloon-brothel "Mariposa Saloon."

In 2017, she played Detective Chief Inspector Roz Huntley across four episodes of the hit BBC police series "Line of Duty," which follows detectives tackling complex crimes.
2018 brought the crime action-comedy "Gringo," which centers on a scheming pharmaceutical executive (Charlize Theron) who teams up with her partner (Joel Edgerton) to manufacture marijuana pills. Newton plays Bonnie, wife of company employee Harold (David Oyelowo), who gets sent to Mexico for raw materials only to find himself hunted by federal agents, drug dealers, and assassins.
She also joined the star-studded cast of drama "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan," alongside Natalie Portman, Bella Thorne, Kit Harington, and Susan Sarandon. That May, the 71st Cannes Film Festival premiered "Solo: A Star Wars Story," the latest chapter in the space saga, with Newton playing the role of Val.

Personal Life of Thandiwe Newton
From 1988 to 1994, Thandie was romantically involved with Australian film director John Duigan, who gave the actress her big break in Hollywood.Thandie Newton found her perfect match in British director, screenwriter, and producer Ol Parker. The couple married in 1998.



Thanks to their striking resemblance, she's often confused with actress Zoe Saldana from "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avatar." While they share many similarities, movie fans agree that each actress brings her own unique beauty to the screen.

Thandie Newton Now
In recent years, Thandie Newton has become more selective about her roles, appearing on screen less frequently. In 2021, she appeared in the thriller "Reminiscence" with Hugh Jackman. 2022 saw the release of two feature films starring Newton in leading roles.First up is the thriller "God's Country," where Thandie plays Sandra, an intelligent woman forced to face off against her complete opposites – hardened brutes who solve problems with violence.
