Danielle Brooks

Cast

Born

September 17, 1989 · Augusta, Georgia, USA

“I like to play people who are underdogs and misfits. People who are not on a straight and narrow path. That's exciting for me.” American actress in film, television, and theater. She studied theater at the Juilliard School where she graduated in 2011. Brooks gained recognition for her role as Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019). Her portrayal of Taystee, a charismatic and complex inmate, was widely praised and earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. In addition to her television work, Brooks has had a distinguished career in theater. Her performance in the Broadway play “The Color Purple” (2015) received accolades and a Tony Award nomination. She played Sofia in this theatrical adaptation of the Alice Walker classic. She has worked on several films, including “Clemency” (2019), a drama about a prison warden facing a moral crisis, and “The Angry Birds Movie 2” (2019), where she lent her voice to the character of “Courtney.” Brooks has also been involved in content production, including adapting the novel “The Color Purple” for film. She is an active advocate for women's rights and race and gender equality.