Deborah Ayorinde

Deborah Ayorinde
Born
Deborah Olayinka Ayorinde

(1987-08-13) 13 August 1987 (age 37)
Enfield, London, England
Alma materHoward University
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present

Deborah Olayinka Ayorinde (born 13 August 1987) is a British-Nigerian[1] actress raised in the United States. She is known for her role in the Amazon Prime horror series Them.[2]

Early life and education

Ayorinde was born in London, England[3] to Nigerian parents.[4][5][6][7] She spent her childhood in London before relocating to San Jose, California when she was 8.[8]

In May 2009, she graduated with honors from Howard University's John H. Johnson School of Communications with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production. During her time at Howard, she won the coveted Paul Robeson Best Actress award for her performance in a short film she wrote and directed. The film also won the award for Best Cinematography.[9]

Acting career

Ayorinde's resume includes her work on Netflix's popular Marvel series Luke Cage, and as Simone (the “other woman”) in the American comedy film, Girls Trip. She starred opposite Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monáe in Harriet, a biopic of African American abolitionist and political activist Harriet Tubman, and she also starred in a season of HBO's True Detective.

In 2019, it was announced that she had joined the cast of Amazon Prime's Them for which Ayorinde received rave reviews for her portrayal of the character, Livia "Lucky" Emory. She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance.

In the same year, it was also announced that she had been added to the cast of Fatherhood.[10] In June 2021, Fatherhood debuted at Number 1 on Netflix in both the United States and the United Kingdom.[11]

She gained further popularity through her work on the ITV series Riches which debuted in 2022 to much acclaim. It resonated with audiences due the storyline being centered around the black British experience.

In 2024, it was announced she would appear as the lead female in a play Wedding Band: A Love Hate Story in Black and White in Lyric Theatre in London.[12]

Filmography

Film and TV Movies

Year Title Role Notes
2014 She Believes Pearl Short
2015 Bad Asses on the Bayou Taryn Video
2016 Barbershop: The Next Cut Marquita
Bad Dad Rehab Regina TV movie
2017 Where Is Kyra? DMV Attendant
The Wizard of Lies Salon Receptionist TV movie
Girls Trip Simone
2019 Harriet Rachel Ross
2020 Always and Forever Sommer
2021 Fatherhood Liz
2023 Chasing the Night Fatimah Short
2024 Sense and Sensibility Elinor Dashwood Hallmark

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Meet the Browns Chloe Episode: "Meet the Consequences"
2011 Necessary Roughness Rochelle Episode: "Spinning Out"
2012 The Game Jennifer Episode: "Grand Opening, Grand Closing"
2014 Survivor's Remorse Heather Episode: "How to Build a Brand"
Constantine Officer Sullivan Episode: "Rage of Caliban"
2015 Sleepy Hollow Michelle Episode: "Awakening"
Complications Kate Episode: "Relapse"
2016 Game of Silence Young Nurse Amy Reese Episode: "Blood Brothers" & "Ghosts of Quitman"
Luke Cage Candace Miller Recurring cast: Season 1
2017 The Affair Jessa Episode: "Episode #3.8"
2019 True Detective Becca Hays Recurring cast: Season 3
The Village Dana Recurring cast
2021 Them Livia 'Lucky' Emory Main cast
Truth Be Told Rose Recurring cast: season 2
2022 Riches Nina Richards Main cast
2024 Them Detective Dawn Reeves Main cast

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2022
 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Performance in a Scripted Series Them Nominated [13]

References

  1. ^ Ayorinde, Deborah Olayinka [@DeborahAyorinde] (21 July 2021). "I'm… Nigerian first…Londoner second…YAY Arean third (IYKYK)" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "'Them': Deborah Ayorinde & Ashley Thomas To Star In Amazon Anthology Series From Lena Waithe". Deadline. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Deborah Ayorinde". Issue. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  4. ^ "British-Nigerian Actress Deborah Ayorinde Will Star in Lena Waithe's Horror Series 'Them'". Okay Africa. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  5. ^ "5 Things To Know And Cherish About 'Girls Trip' Star Deborah Ayorinde". Essence. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  6. ^ mybiohub (28 October 2016). "Deborah Ayorinde Biography - Age, Wiki". MyBioHub. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Deborah Ayorinde - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Starring On Them Helped Deborah Ayorinde Confront Her Trauma". Bustle. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Deborah Ayorinde". Issue. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Lil Rel Howery, Paul Reiser, & Deborah Ayorinde Join Sony's Kevin Hart-Led 'Fatherhood' Film". Deadline. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  11. ^ "The Most Popular Movies On Netflix Right Now Besides 'Fatherhood'". Huffington Post. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Wedding Band: A Love Hate Story in Black and White".
  13. ^ "Film Independent Spirit Awards". Filmindependent.org. Retrieved 30 December 2021.