Judith Iyabo Shekoni is an English actress, television personality and businesswoman.
Early life and education Born to a Yoruba Nigerian father and a British mother of English and Spanish descent, Shekoni is from Gorton, Manchester.
Career Shekoni began her television career with a breakout role as Marjorie "Precious" Hudson (née Hulton) in the BBC1 soap EastEnders. She then moved into film with roles including Garfield 2 for Fox, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Renee and Ali G Indahouse.
Shekoni lived and studied in Los Angeles for 10 years and appeared on US television shows including NCIS, All of Us and Damages, Fat Friends and The King of Queens.
Whilst in Los Angeles she worked with Bill Condon in the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. She joined the cast as a lead in Heroes Reborn in 2015, the NBC reboot of the original show, where she played Joanne Collins opposite Zachary Levi.
Relocating back to the UK in 2016, Shekoni appeared in the second season of the BBC1 drama Ordinary Lies written by Bafta winning writer Danny Brocklehurst, airing in November 2016. She then filmed two seasons as the female lead opposite Donald Sutherland and Ray Winston for the American cable series Ice, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Magnificent Seven) appearing as Lady Rah, the kingpin of LA Diamond Trade.
Remaining in London, she starred as Shrike in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil for Disney, with Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfieffer.
Shekoni joined the cast of the Apple TV series Foundation as She-Bends-Light in 2023.
Business interests Shekoni and British model Amanda Van Annan co-founded Extension Evolution, a company supplying hair extensions. Shekoni is also the founder of two other companies, Make It America and Actors Evolution. She is the CEO of Global WPM, Atap Productions and is affiliated with the Helen Bamber Foundation.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1999 The World Is Not Enough Girl in casino uncredited 2000 Spinning Candyfloss Mel Maybe Baby Ewan's posse It Was an Accident Sara uncredited 2002 Ali G Indahouse Jacuzzi girl 2004 Echoes of War Fatima 2005 Private Moments Serena 2006 Garfield 2 Tour guide The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Renee 2010 For Christ's Sake Mia do'em 2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Zafrina 2015 Club Dancer 2019 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Shrike
Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Casualty Mia Campbell Episode: One from the Heart 2000 Fat Friends Imogen 2001 Murphy's Law Receptionist 2002 The Hidden City Claire Casualty Naomi Episode: In the Heat of the Night Attachments Sue Episode: Fuck Buddy Time Gentlemen Please Sister Eliza Episode: This Vale of Beers EastEnders Marjorie "Precious" Hudson (née Hulton) 2003 The King of Queens Melanie Episode: Nocturnal Omission 2005 NCIS Natalie Vance Episode: Model Behavior2005Love IslandHerself (Contestant)Reality Series 2006 Damages Candy All of Us Amanda Episode: Love Do Cost a Thing and Trojan Condo 2007 Brothers & Sisters Hostess Episode: Valentine's Day Massacre 2008 When Women Rule the World Island host Never broadcast in America 2015 Backstrom Lady Mah Season 1, Episode 6: "Ancient, Chinese, Secret" Heroes Reborn Joanne 2016 NCIS: Los Angeles Alisa Chambers Season 7, Episode 21, "Head of the Snake"2016-2018IceLady RahMain role (20 episodes) 2023 Foundation She-Bends-Light Five episodes
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