Nicole Beharie

Nicole Beharie, a Juilliard graduate and accomplished jazz singer, is quickly emerging as one of the most versatile new actresses in Hollywood.

Following "42," Beharie will be seen this year in Matthew Cherry's family drama "The Last Fall," in which she stars opposite Lance Gross and Harry Lennix. A 2012 SXSW Film Festival selection, the movie was picked up at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. Beharie was also honored with the Rising Star Award at the Pan African Film Festival for her role in the movie.

Upcoming, Beharie will next star with Olivia Wilde and Hailee Steinfeld in "The Keeping Room," a Civil War-era drama to be directed by Daniel Barber.

In 2011, Beharie starred in the critically acclaimed drama "Shame," with Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan. Directed by Steve McQueen, the movie received numerous international honors, including the Venice Film Festival Award for Best Film, as well as Best Film nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, British Independent Film Awards and BAFTA Awards.

Beharie made her feature film debut in 2008, starring in Samuel Goldwyn's heart-wrenching, thinly fictionalized drama "American Violet." She received rave reviews for her performance in that film as a single mother wrongly accused of being a drug dealer who must fight for justice. Also in 2008, she portrayed Sarah Ward, the girlfriend of Ernie Davis, in the true-life sports drama "The Express," opposite Rob Brown.

On the small screen, Beharie starred in the Lifetime movie "Sins of the Mother," and also had guest roles on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "The Good Wife."

In addition, Beharie appeared on Broadway in John Guare's "Free Man of Color," with Mos Def and Jeffrey Wright. She was also seen off-Broadway in the world premiere of "Father Comes Home from the Wars."

Official Bio