Nafessa Williams
| Nafessa Williams | |
|---|---|
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Williams in 2018
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| Born | (1989-12-04) December 4, 1989 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | West Chester University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Nafessa Williams (born December 4, 1989)[1][2] is an American actress. She is most known for her 2011 role as Nicole Gordon in the Meek Mill film Streets, her 2011 role as Deanna Forbes on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, and her 2016 role as Dr. Charlotte Piel on the CBS drama Code Black. Since 2018, she plays Anissa Pierce in The CW‘s Black Lightning.
Contents
Early life and education[edit]
Williams was raised in West Philadelphia. She attended Robert E. Lamberton High School. Williams studied criminal justice at West Chester University and interned in the homicide unit of the District Attorney’s Office.[3]
Career[edit]
Williams got her big break in 2010 when she was cast opposite Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill Streets. The film was released in 2012.[3] In March 2011, it was announced that Williams would join the cast of ABC‘s One Life to Live in the contract role of Deanna.[4] When Williams auditioned, the character was only supposed to appear in three episodes. However by the time of her debut, Williams had signed a four year contract.[3] Only a month into her stint, it was announced that ABC had decided to cancel the series.[5] Williams was released from her contract early and last appeared in July 2011.[6]
In March 2012, Williams announced that she would be appearing on the CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.[7] Williams made her debut on May 8, 2012.[8] However, the role was short lived and Williams only appeared in two episodes. In 2015, Williams appeared in the Queen Latifah executive produced feature film, Brotherly Love, opposite Keke Palmer.[9] In April 2016, Williams was cast in the Showtime continuation of the 1990s ABC drama Twin Peaks.[10] In July 2016, Williams was cast in the recurring role of Charlotte on the CBS prime time drama, Code Black.[11] In 2017, Williams was cast as Anissa Pierce in the 2018 Mara Brock Akil/Greg Berlanti series Black Lightning.[12]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Streets | Nicole Gordon | Main role |
| 2014 | The Dirty 30 | Samantha Kimm | Main role |
| 2015 | Brotherly Love | Simone | Supporting role |
| The Man in 3B | Krystal | Main role | |
| 2016 | Restored Me | Monica Berry | Main role |
| 2017 | Burning Sands | Toya | Supporting role |
| True to the Game | Sahirah | Supporting role |
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | One Life to Live | Deanna Forbes | Series regular |
| 2012 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Margo Ivey | Recurring role |
| 2013 | Dumb Girls | Female Co-Ed #1 | Television film |
| 2014 | Survivor’s Remorse | Adina Parker | Episode: “Six“ |
| 2015 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Eboni | Episode: “Hart Medication“ |
| 2016 | Code Black | Dr. Charlotte Piel |
show
4 episodes
Episode: “Second Year”
Episode: “Life and Limb” Episode: “Corporeal Form” Episode: “Demons and Angels“ |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks | Jade | |
| Tales | Jenny | Episode: “Fuck the Police“ | |
| 2018 | Black Lightning | Anissa Pierce | Main Role |
