Rutina Wesley

2.1. Birth and upbringing

Rutina Wesley was born on December 21, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Growing up in a family connected to the entertainment industry, she developed an early interest in the performing arts. She attended high school at the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts, an institution known for its focus on artistic education.

2.2. Education

After high school, Wesley faced challenges with college training program auditions but ultimately chose to attend the University of Evansville in Indiana. She successfully earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance in 2001. Despite her grandmother's suggestion to pursue a more practical career path, such as nursing, Wesley remained committed to her artistic education. In 2001, she enrolled in The Juilliard School, one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world, and graduated in May 2005 as part of "Group 34." Her comprehensive studies at Juilliard included a summer program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, further broadening her theatrical training.

3.1. Theater

Wesley began her professional acting career on stage, showcasing her talent in various theatrical productions. In December 2006, she was featured in The Vertical Hour, a Broadway play written by acclaimed playwright David Hare. The following year, in 2007, Wesley appeared in In Darfur, a production by playwright Winter Miller at The Public Theater. In this play, she co-starred alongside notable actors such as Heather Raffo and Aaron Lohr.

3.2. Film

Wesley's journey into film began with a minor role in the 2005 movie Hitch, though her scenes were ultimately edited out of the final cut. Her official on-screen debut came in 2007 when she took on the main character role in the film How She Move, directed by British filmmaker Ian Iqbal Rashid. In this film, Wesley portrayed Raya Green, a character who participates in a step-dancing competition to secure funds for her education. The character of Raya Green was notably inspired by Tony Manero, the iconic character portrayed by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. To prepare for her role, Wesley underwent an intensive five-week dance rehearsal period prior to filming. Additionally, she received dialect coaching to accurately portray a woman of Jamaican descent.

Her other film appearances include:

3.3. Television

Wesley gained significant recognition for her work in television. In 2007, she auditioned for the role of Tara Thornton in the HBO series True Blood. She successfully secured the part after the series creator, Alan Ball, selected her, stating that she was "the first person who showed [Tara's] vulnerable side." She remained a main cast member throughout the series' run from 2008 to 2014.

In January 2015, Wesley was cast in a recurring role on the NBC drama series Hannibal. She portrayed Reba McClane, a blind woman who develops a relationship with Francis Dolarhyde (Richard Armitage) and initially helps to soothe his murderous urges. Wesley also appeared as Liza Warner in the fourth season of Arrow, a role she reprised in Season 5.

In 2016, Wesley took on another lead role as Nova Bordelon in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Queen Sugar. The series was notably produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Her most recent significant television appearance was in 2023, when she portrayed Maria in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us.

Her television roles include: