You might recognize this British actress's face, if not her name. She's been a staple on English television for years, most famously Doctor Who, where she played companion Martha Jones' sister Tish. Mbatha-Raw made the leap stateside a few years ago, where she starred on a few short-lived network shows, namely Undercovers, the story of a married CIA agents, and Touch, with Kiefer Sutherland. Unfortunately, neither of these shows lasted beyond their first season, so audiences didn't get to see her full talents. Until now, that is. Mbatha-Raw has the leading role in Belle, a costume drama that revolves around a young biracial woman in the late 1700s, the illegitimate daughter of a royal admiral who is being raised by her aristocratic great-uncle. It is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, whose presence amongst the English nobility challenged contemporary views on racial issues, particularly the slave trade in the West Indies. It was received positively at the Toronto Film Festival, and hopefully its success will give her more opportunities to nab starring roles in film.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
