Melanie Thandiwe Newton OBE (born 6 November 1972), formerly credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. Newton is known for starring roles such as the title character in Beloved (1998), Nyah Nordoff-Hall in Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Tiffany in Shade (2003), Dame Vaako in The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Christine in Crash (2004), Linda in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Libby in Run Fatboy Run (2007), Stella in RockNRolla (2008), Condoleezza Rice in W. (2008), Laura Wilson in 2012
Did you know that Thandiwe Newton legally reverted to her birth name "Thandiwe" in 2021, after being known as "Thandie" for nearly 30 years in her acting career, to honor her heritage and correct a long-standing misspelling?
Her Emmy-winning performance as Maeve Millay in HBO's "Westworld" marked a significant career resurgence, earning her critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a formidable dramatic actress. The role showcased her range and brought her widespread recognition and numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Thandiwe Newton's legacy is defined by her versatile performances across diverse genres and her unwavering commitment to activism, particularly for women's rights and authentic representation in media. She has paved the way for greater inclusivity and inspired many through her resilience and outspoken advocacy.
Also known as: T. Newton, Tha Newton