Natasha Rothwell (born October 18, 1980) is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her roles as Kelli Prenny on the HBO series Insecure (2016–2021) and as Belinda Lindsey on The White Lotus (2021, 2025), earning two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the latter. Rothwell also co-created and starred in the Hulu comedy series How to Die Alone (2024).

Early life Rothwell was born on October 18, 1980 in Wichita, Kansas. Her parents, David and Sharon Rothwell, are natives of Philadelphia. She has three siblings. They were raised Christian.

Due to her father’s career in the United States Air Force, Rothwell's family moved frequently when she was young, including to New Mexico, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Turkey. Rothwell attended two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. She graduated from Westlake High School in Waldorf, Maryland.

Rothwell attended Ithaca College as a journalism major before transferring to the University of Maryland as a theater major on a full creative and performing arts scholarship. She credits Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem"—which begins with the question "What happens to a dream deferred?"—with inspiring her to change majors and pursue acting.

Career Upon graduating, Rothwell moved to Japan to teach English and performed at the Tokyo Comedy Store. In 2009, she returned to the U.S. and moved to New York City, where she worked as a high school theatre teacher for four years while pursuing comedy. She performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade and was hired as a writer on Saturday Night Live for the 2014-2015 season. After eight years in New York, Rothwell moved to Los Angeles in 2015.

In 2016, Rothwell had her breakthrough role on the Issa Rae HBO series Insecure as Kelli Prenny. She also served as a writer and supervising producer. The series ran for five seasons, concluding in 2021. Rothwell won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards.

Rothwell landed roles in television series Netflix Presents: The Characters, Search Party, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Love, Victor, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

On April 15, 2019, Rothwell joined a host of other writers in firing their agents as part of the Writers Guild of America’s stand against the Association of Talent Agents and the practice of packaging.

In 2020, Rothwell starred in the films Wonder Woman 1984, Like a Boss, and Sonic the Hedgehog. In 2021, her company Big Hattie Productions struck an overall deal with ABC Signature.

In 2021, Rothwell joined the cast of season 1 of the HBO series The White Lotus, as Belinda. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

In 2023, Rothwell starred in the films Wonka and Wish.

In 2024, Rothwell co-created, produced, and starred in the comedy series How to Die Alone on Hulu. She plays a 35-year-old JFK airport worker who has never been in love, partially inspired by Rothwell’s own journey of love and self-discovery. The series was critically acclaimed and Rothwell won a Celebration of Cinema and Television Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination.

, Rothwell is developing a TV adaptation of the viral TikTok series Who TF Did I Marry by Tareasa "Reesa Teesa" Johnson.

In 2025, Rothwell reprised her role as Belinda in season 3 of The White Lotus.

Personal life Rothwell lives in Los Angeles with her two goldendoodle dogs. Her favorite place to visit is Big Sur.

Rothwell has ADHD, describing herself as "neurospicy", and has spoken about the importance of mental health. She describes herself as a Type-A person and a nerd.

Rothwell is a Democrat and an advocate for women's rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and civil rights. She is a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s administrations and has marched against anti-immigration policies and police brutality. She has spoken about her passion for activism, telling GQ in 2018, "I lived in DC for almost 10 years. When you live there you kind of can't help but be politically active."

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2015 A Year and Change Angie 2018 Love, Simon Ms. Albright 2019 Wyrm V.P. Lister 2020 Like a Boss Jill Sonic the Hedgehog Rachel Wonder Woman 1984 Carol 2022 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Rachel Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm Japongaloid (Japongaloid Natasha) (voice) 2023 Wish Sakina (voice) Wonka Piper Benz 2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Rachel Cameo

Television Year Title Actor Writer Producer Role Notes 2014 Wild 'n Out Herself Cast member, 2013–2014 Royal Pains Tamara Episode: "Smoke and Mirrors" 2014–2015 Saturday Night Live Writer, 21 episodes 2016 Search Party Real Woman Episode: "The Mysterious Disappearance of the Girl No One Knew" Netflix Presents: The Characters Various Episode: "Natasha Rothwell" 2016–2021 Insecure Kelli Prenny Main role, 32 episodes; writer, 17 episodes; also co-producer, supervising producer, and consulting producer 2017 BoJack Horseman Clemelia Bloodsworth (voice) Episode: "Time's Arrow" Future-Worm! Various (voice) 2 episodes 2018 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Della Alvarado Episode: "Show Me Going" 2018–2021 DuckTales Zan Owlson (voice) 5 episodes 2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Brunzetta (voice) 2 episodes A Black Lady Sketch Show Various 2 episodes 2020 Love, Victor Ms. Albright Episode: "Welcome to Creekwood" 2020–2025 Baby Shark's Big Show! Mommy Shark (voice) Main role, English dub2021 American Dad! Carol (voice) Episode: "Cry Baby" 2021, 2025 The White Lotus Belinda Lindsey Main role, 14 episodes (seasons 1 and 3) 2021–2022 Tuca & Bertie Terry Toucan 3 episodes 2022 American Dad! Superior Court Judge (voice) Episode: "Haley Was a Girl Scout?" 2022 The Ghost and Molly McGee Candace Green (voice) 2 episodesBubble Guppies Mommy Shark (voice) Episode: "The Jaw-some Sharkventure!" 2024 Sausage Party: Foodtopia Rutabaga Ginsberg; various (voice) 5 episodes How to Die Alone Mel Main role, 8 episodes; also creator

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2016 Writers Guild of America Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series Saturday Night Live 2019 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Insecure Outstanding Writing, Comedy Series NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2020 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Outstanding Writing, Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series 2021 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Celebration Black of Cinema and Television Special Honoree Award Herself 2022 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesInsecure Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special The White Lotus Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Insecure Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series The White Lotus Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 2024Celebration of Cinema and TelevisionProducer AwardHow to Die Alone 2025NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Outstanding Comedy Series Independent Spirit AwardsBest Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The White Lotus

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