Aja Naomi King
| Aja Naomi King | |
|---|---|
 King at the 46th NAACP Image Awards Nominee Press Conference | |
| Born |
Aja Naomi King January 11, 1985 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2010-present |
Aja Naomi King (born January 11, 1985)[1] is an American actress. In 2014, she began starring as Michaela Pratt in the ABC legal drama series How to Get Away with Murder.
Early life
King was born in Los Angeles, California. She received a BFA in Acting from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MFA from Yale University's School of Drama in 2010.[1] At Yale University, King performed in a number of productions, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Little Shop of Horrors and Angels in America.[1]
Career
King appeared in several short films in the early period of her career. She made her television debut in 2010 with guest-starring role in the CBS procedural Blue Bloods, and later appeared on Person of Interest, The Blacklist and Deadbeat. She made her feature film debut in the 2011 independent film Damsels in Distress opposite Greta Gerwig. Her big break came in 2012 when she was cast as new surgical intern Cassandra Kopelson and the series primary antagonist, on the CW medical comedy-drama series, Emily Owens, M.D.[2] The series was canceled after a single season in 2013. She later starred in the Amazon Studios comedy pilot The Onion Presents: The News.[3]
In 2013, King co-starred in two independent films. She played Wendell Pierce's character daughter Abigayle in the independent drama Four, released on September 13, 2013.[4] Along with her castmates, she won a Los Angeles Film Festival Award for Best Performance by Cast for her role in this movie.[5] She also appeared alongside Laverne Cox, Britne Oldford and Franky G in the 36 Saints.[6] In 2014 she had supporting role in the romantic comedyThe Rewrite starring Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei.
In 2014, King had a recurring role of Ali Henslee in the ABC medical drama series, Black Box starring Kelly Reilly as title character. The series was canceled after single season. On February, 2014 she was cast as one of the lead characters in the ABC legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder produced by Shonda Rhimes.[7] The series stars Viola Davis as a law professor. King plays the role of Michaela Pratt, one of the five lead students, alongside Jack Falahee, Alfred Enoch, Matt McGorry and Karla Souza. The series premiered on September 25, 2014 with generally positive reviews from critics and a massive 14 million viewers.[8] King received her first NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in series.[9]
In 2015, King was cast as female lead in the historical drama film The Birth of a Nation based on the story of the 1831 slave rebellion led by Nat Turner. The film also stars Nate Parker, Aunjanue Ellis and Armie Hammer.[10]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Gloria Mundi | Dancer | Short film |
| 2010 | A Basketball Jones | Sara Walker | Short film |
| 2010 | Eve | Celebrity | Short film |
| 2011 | Damsels in Distress | Positive Polly | |
| 2012 | Love Synchs | Selene | Short film |
| 2013 | 36 Saints | Joan | |
| 2013 | Four | Abigayle | Los Angeles Film Festival Award for Best Performance by Cast |
| 2014 | The Rewrite | Rosa | |
| 2016 | The Birth of a Nation |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Blue Bloods | Samaritan | Episode: "Samaritan" |
| 2012 | Person of Interest | Lisa | Episode: "Wolf and Cub" |
| 2012–2013 | Emily Owens, M.D. | Cassandra Kopelson | Series regular, 13 episodes |
| 2013 | Onion New Empire | Jillian | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2013 | The Blacklist | Elysa Ruben | Episode: "Frederick Barnes" |
| 2014 | Deadbeat | N'Cole | Episode: "Out-Of-Body Issues" |
| 2014 | Black Box | Ali Henslee | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| 2014–present | How to Get Away with Murder | Michaela Pratt | Series regular Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "'Aja Naomi King: Biography". Los Angeles Film Festival. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
- ↑ "'Emily Owens M.D.:Aja Naomi King Interview". The CW Network. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
- ↑ "'Aja Naomi King Joins Cast Of Amazon Studios Comedy Pilot 'The Onion Presents: The News". IndieWire Shadow and Act. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
- ↑ "'Interview with Joshua Sanchez, "Four""". Film Society of Lincoln Center. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
- ↑ "Winners Announced for 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival". Film Independent. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ↑ "Film Review: ’36 Saints’". Variety. September 9, 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Aja Naomi King Cast In ABC Pilot 'Murder'; Arden Myrin in NBC's 'Bad Judge'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ↑ Michael O'Connell (September 26, 2014). "TV Ratings: 'How to Get Away With Murder' Tops ABC's Winning Shonda Rhimes Block". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ Variety Staff. "‘Get On Up,’ ‘Selma,’ ‘Dear White People’ Score NAACP Image Award Nominations (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
- ↑ Dave McNary. "Aja Naomi King Joins Armie Hammer in Nat Turner Movie - Variety". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2015.