Oluwunmi Olapeju Mosaku (; born 31 July 1986), known professionally as Wunmi Mosaku, is a Nigerian and British actress. She rose to prominence for her roles as Joy in the BBC Two miniseries Moses Jones (2009) and Holly Lawson in the ITV series Vera (2011–2012). She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gloria Taylor in the TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy (2016). In 2019, she appeared in the fifth season of Luther, followed by her role as Ruby Baptiste in HBO's Lovecraft Country (2020). She portrayed the character Hunter B-15 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Disney+ series Loki (2021–2023) and reprised the role in the film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
Mosaku was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and won the British Independent Film Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a British Independent Film for her role as Rial in the film His House (2020). For her performance as Annie in the 2025 horror film Sinners, Mosaku won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance and was nominated for an Academy Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and an Actor Award.
Early life Mosaku was born in Zaria, Nigeria, to Yoruba parents who were both professors. When she was one year old, the family emigrated to Manchester, England, where she was raised and attended the Trinity Church of England High School and Xaverian Sixth Form College. She sang for eleven years in the Manchester Girls Choir. Her mother Irene started a business and her father eventually returned to Nigeria. She has two older sisters. Mosaku studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2007 with a BA degree in Acting (H Level).vogue.co.uk Wunmi Mosaku British Vogue Interviewaccessed 09/19/2026
Career Mosaku made her professional stage debut in 2007 at the Arcola Theatre in a production of Pedro Calderón de la Barca's The Great Theatre of the World. Her other theatre credits including Rough Crossings (2008), directed by Rupert Goold and based on the book by Simon Schama, at the Lyric Hammersmith; The Vertical Hour (2010) by David Hare and Truth and Reconciliation (2011), both at the Royal Court Theatre.
In 2008, she appeared in the first of the UNDEREXPOSED exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery, designed to raise the profile of black role models and celebrates the talent that exists among the Black British community. Her photo also appeared on Commercial Way, Peckham, London, as part of the exhibition. In 2009, she starred in the BBC Two series Moses Jones, for which she won Best Actress in a Miniseries at the Rome Fiction Festival.
Mosaku featured on the front cover of Screen International magazine June–July 2009, as one of the UK Stars of Tomorrow, and in 2011 was featured in Nylons 2011 Young Hollywood issue. In 2010, she was named one of The Seven Fresh Faces of Toronto International Film Festival, for I Am Slave, in which she starred. She plays Malia, a girl who has been kidnapped from her village in Sudan and sold into slavery. Her performance garnered several awards: Best Actress at the Birmingham Black Film Festival, Best Onscreen Performance at the Cultural Diversity Awards, and Best Female Performance at the Screen Nation Awards.
In 2011, Mosaku appeared in Vera as Holly Lawson. In 2015, Mosaku played the part of Quentina, a traffic warden, in the three-part BBC series Capital, based on John Lanchester's novel of the same name. In 2016, she appeared in Playtest, an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror. She won the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Gloria Taylor in the television film Damilola, Our Loved Boy (2016).
In 2025, Mosaku appeared as the hoodoo healer Annie in Ryan Coogler's vampire film Sinners. The New York Times called her performance "the soulful core" of the movie. She later received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance at the 98th Academy Awards. Sinners led the field with a record 16 total nominations, including Mosaku's supporting acting nomination.
Personal life When asked to list her personal heroes, Mosaku included her grandmother Anike Adisa, whom she described as having "taught me so many lessons"; actor Albert Finney, who was her inspiration for attending RADA; her colleague and former instructor at RADA, William Gaskill; Paul Newman, whom she admired, not just for his acting, but also for his philanthropic efforts with Newman's Own; and Oprah Winfrey, whom Mosaku considers "a superwoman".
Mosaku moved to Los Angeles, California in 2018, and married American talent and literary manager Tash Moseley two years later. They welcomed a daughter in 2024, and in September 2026 announced the birth of their son. Mosaku has been taking Yoruba language lessons since 2020.
Political views During Donald Trump's second presidential term, Mosaku publicly criticized the administration's immigration enforcement policies on various occasions. In a February 2026 interview with The Sunday Times, she stated that she was unable to celebrate her Oscar nomination in light of recent deaths connected to federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing the political climate as "truly dystopian."
Filmography Film Year Film Role Director Notes 2006 The Women of Troy Helen of Troy Phil Hawkins 2010 Honeymooner Seema Col Spector Womb Erica Benedek Fliegauf 2012 Citadel Marie Ciarán Foy 2013 Philomena Young nun Stephen Frears 2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Kahina Ziri Zack Snyder Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Beryl David Yates 2018 Leading Lady Parts Herself Jessica Swale Short film 2019 Sweetness in the Belly Amina Zeresenay Berhane Mehari 2020 His House Rial Remi Weekes 2022 Call Jane Gwen Phyllis Nagy Alice, Darling Sophie Mary Nighy 2024 Deadpool & Wolverine Hunter B-15 Shawn Levy 2025 Sinners Annie Ryan Coogler 2026 The Social Reckoning Raya Aaron Sorkin The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd Tim Blake Nelson Post-production This Is How It Goes Belinda Idris Elba Post-production
Television Year Show Role Notes 2007 Sold Firefighter Episode #1.5 2008 Never Better Server Episode: "First Week Euphoria" Doctors Nurse Kelly Strathairn Episode: "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding?" The Bill Sophie Oduya Episode: "Trial and Error: Part 1" 2009 Father & Son Stacey Cox Miniseries Moses Jones Joy 2010 One Night in Emergency Beautiful nurse Television film Silent Witness Charlie Gibbs 4 episodes (series 13) I Am Slave Malia Television film Law & Order: UK Tamika Vincent Episode: "Survivor" 2011 32 Brinkburn Street Joy 5 episodes Stolen Sonia Carey Television film The Body Farm Rosa Gilbert Miniseries 2011–2012 Vera DC Holly Lawson 5 episodes (series 1–2) 2012 Blackout Millie Caswell Miniseries 2013 Dancing on the Edge Carla Jo Angélique Alassane Truckers Danielle Episode #1.3 2014 In the Flesh Maxine Martin 6 episodes (series 2) 2015 Capital Quentina Miniseries Don't Take My Baby Belinda Television film 2016 Black Mirror Katie Episode: "Playtest" Scott & Bailey Rae Milton 2 episodes (series 5) Damilola, Our Loved Boy Gloria Taylor Television film 2017 Guerrilla Kenya Miniseries Fearless DCS Olivia Greenwood The End of the F***ing World DC Teri Darego 5 episodes (series 2) 2018 Kiri DI Vanessa Mercer Miniseries On the Edge Tessa Episode: "Through the Gates" 2019 Luther DS Catherine Halliday 4 episodes (series 5) Animal Babies: First Year on Earth Narrator Voice; docuseries Temple Mercy King Miniseries 2020 Lovecraft Country Ruby Baptiste 10 episodes 2021–2023 Loki Hunter B-15 / Dr. Verity Willis 11 episodes 2022 We Own This City Nicole Steele Miniseries 2023 Scavengers Reign Azi Voice; 12 episodes 2024 Boarders Grace 4 episodes (series 2) Passenger Riya Ajunwa 6 episodes
Radio Drama on 3: The Vertical Hour (2008) on BBC Radio 3, as Terri Scholes Drama on 4: Normal and Nat (2009) on BBC Radio 4, as Shanice Drama on 4: Amazing Grace (2010) on BBC Radio 4, as Grace
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResult 2009 Rome Fiction Festival Best Actress in a Mini-series Moses Jones 2017 BAFTA TV Awards Best Supporting Actress Damilola, Our Loved Boy 2018Royal Television Society Programme AwardsActor: Female 2021 BAFTA Film Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role His House British Independent Film Awards Best Performance by an Actress Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series Lovecraft Country Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Actress in a Horror Series Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2025Alliance of Women Film JournalistsBest Supporting ActressSinners Best Breakthrough performanceAstra Midseason Movie AwardsBest Supporting Actress African-American Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress Austin Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress Chicago Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Actress in a Horror Movie Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Supporting Performance Florida Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress Gotham Film Awards Outstanding Supporting Performance Ensemble Tribute Indiana Film Journalists Association Best Ensemble Acting Kansas City Film Critics CircleBest Supporting Actress Michigan Movie Critics Guild Best Supporting Actress Best Ensemble New York Film Critics Online Best Supporting Actress Best EnsembleNorth Texas Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Online Association Of Female Film CriticsBest Supporting FemalePhiladelphia Film Critics CircleBest Supporting Actress Phoenix Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress Portland Critics AssociationBest Supporting Performance San Diego Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actress Best Performance by an Ensemble San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress Seattle Film Critics Society Best Actress in a Supporting Role Southeastern Film Critics AssociationBest EnsembleUK Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actress Best Ensemble Women Film Critics CircleBest Screen Couple2026Academy AwardsBest Supporting Actress Actor Awards Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role Astra Film Awards Best Supporting Actress – Drama BAFTA Film AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting Role Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Supporting PerformanceChicago Indie CriticsBest Supporting Actress Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Supporting Actress Best Acting EnsembleColumbus Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Performance Denver Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting Actress Dorian AwardsSupporting Film Performance of the Year Greater Western New York Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Houston Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting Actress Latino Entertainment Journalists AssociationBest Supporting Actress London Critics Circle Film Awards Supporting Actress of the Year Minnesota Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Music City Film Critics Association National Society of Film CriticsBest Supporting Actress NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture North Carolina Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress North Dakota Film Society Online Film Critics SocietyOnline Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Online Film & Television AssociationBest Supporting Actress Pittsburgh Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actor Puerto Rico Critics AssociationBest Supporting Actress Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Supporting RoleUtah Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting Performance – Female
Notes
References
External links
Wunmi Mosaku at RADA