Enuka Okuma

Enuka Okuma

Born Enuka Vanessa Okuma
(1976-09-20) September 20, 1976
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Other names Enuka Vanessa Okuma
Occupation Actress
Years active 1990–present
Spouse(s) Joe Gasparik (m. 2011)

Enuka Vanessa Okuma (/ɛˈnuːkə oʊˈkuːmə/; born September 20, 1976) is a Canadian actress, best known for her role as detective Traci Nash in the Global/ABC police drama series, Rookie Blue (2010–2015). Okuma is also known for her work on the Canadian television series Madison (1994–1998) and Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (2002–2005).

Early Life

Okuma was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.[1] She is of Nigerian descent.

Career

Early work: 1990s

In 1990, she began her career on television, appearing as regular cast member during the first season of the teen soap opera, Hillside.[2] Throughout the 1990s, she also played supporting roles in several made for television films and Canadian television series, such as Madison.[2] She eventually made her feature film debut with a supporting role in Double Jeopardy (1999).

Okuma at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

Transition from teen roles: 2000s–present

Okuma co-starred in the American crime drama series Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye from 2002 to 2005.[3] She guest starred on various hit television series, including Dark Angel, Odyssey 5, Cold Case, Grey's Anatomy and NCIS: Los Angeles. She had the recurring role as Marika Donoso on the seventh season of the Fox series 24.

In 2010, Okuma began starring in the Global/ABC police drama series, Rookie Blue as detective Traci Nash.[4] When being interviewed about how she got her role on Rookie Blue, Okuma said:

I originally auditioned for the part of Gail [played by Charlotte Sullivan] and Charlotte auditioned for Traci. When we got the parts, I said, “I think I would rather play Traci” and Charlotte said, “I think I would rather play Gale.” Thankfully, the producers thought the same.[5]

Okuma was cast as one of lead characters in the ABC pilot, The Adversaries,[6] in 2015. That year, she also guest starred as Nia Lahey on the hit series How To Get Away With Murder.[7]

Voice Work

Okuma provided the voice of Lady Une in Gundam Wing, and of Jade in the Canadian animated series War Planets and also in an episode of MythQuest.

Writing and Directing

Okuma made her directorial debut with the short film, Cookie, on which she was also a writer, actor, and executive producer.[8][9]

Okuma co-wrote the episode "Best Man" on Rookie Blue.[10]

Awards

For her role in Madison, she was nominated for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series at the 1995 Gemini awards.[11] The following year, also for Madison, she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role.[12]

Okuma won a Women In Film award at the 1999 Vancouver International Film Festival for her role in Daydrift.

For her role on Rookie Blue, Okuma was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series at the 2011 Gemini awards[13] and the Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series in 2013.[14]

Personal Life

On July 2, 2011, she married musician Joe Gasparik.[15][16]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1990MacGyverYoung Club Member (as Vanessa Okuma)TV series, 1 episode
1991FifteenKelly (as Vanessa Okuma)TV series, 13 episodes
1993–1997MadisonSheri Davis (as Enuka Vanessa Okuma and as Vanessa Okuma)TV series, 5 episodes
1995Mobile Suit Gundam WingAdditional Voices (English version)TV series, 3 episodes
1997Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless WaltzLady Une (English version, voice)TV series
1998Da Vinci's InquestSummerTV series, 2 episodes
1998–1999NightManSinger / CrystalTV series, 3 episodes
1998–1999War PlanetsJade (voice)TV series, 6 episodes
1999DaydriftLucyFilm
1999–2000Deep in the CityKira/KyraTV series, 5 episodes
2000G-SaviourCynthia GravesFilm
2000–2001These Arms of MineAdrianTV series, 2 episodes
2001Josie and the PussycatsFashion TeamFilm
2001Suddenly NakedAndreaFilm
2001SeaSarahFilm
2002Da Vinci's InquestMariaTV series, 2 episodes
2003House of the DeadKarmaFilm
2000–2003Dragon Ball ZAndroid 18 (voice)TV series, 56 episodes
Ocean Group/AB Groupe/Westwood Media English dub
2002–2005Sue Thomas: F.B.EyeLucy DotsonTV series, 56 episodes
2008Seule Face à l'injusticeBeverly RiversTelefilm
200924Marika DonosoTV series, 4 episodes
2009StolenOfficer Angie RiddickFilm
2010–2015Rookie BlueTraci NashTV series, 74 episodes
2015How to Get Away with MurderNia LaheyTV series, 2 episodes
2016SlasherLisa-Ann FollowsTV series, 4 episodes
2000-2005Andromeda Sofia/Isabella Ortiz
2016 "Masters of Sex"caterer's server at swingers party

References

  1. ↑ "Enuka Okuma Biography". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Crushable Quotable: Rookie Blue Star Enuka Okuma Got Her Start on Canadian Teen Dramas with Ryan Reynolds". Crushable. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  3. ↑ "Q&A with F.B.Eye: Enuka Okuma | Sue Thomas F.B.Eye | The Official Site of the popular TV Series | The Official Site of the popular TV Series Sue Thomas F.B.Eye". suethomasdvd.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "The Cultural Post". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Rookie Blue's Enuka Okuma Talks Her Role and Future With Sam - The CableTV Blog". cabletv.com. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  6. ↑ Petski, Denise. "Dilshad Vadsaria Joins Fox's 'Frankenstein'; ABC's 'The Adversaries', 'The Catch', 'LA Crime' Add Cast - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Someone's Dying on How to Get Away With Murder Tonight & We Think It'll Be...". E! News. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  8. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1831616/fullcredits#cast
  9. ↑ "An interview with Enuka Okuma - Cinema Without Borders". cinemawithoutborders.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Rookie Blue's Enuka Okuma Accepts a New Challenge - The TV Junkies". The TV Junkies. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "The 1995 Gemini nominees". playbackonline.ca. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "Special Report: Gemini Nominees: Who's nominated". playbackonline.ca. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "New series scoop Gemini nominations". CBC News. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Enuka Okuma on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "enuka okuma - the official site". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Actress Enuka Okuma's Movie-Inspired Wedding". Inside Weddings. Retrieved 31 January 2016.

External links

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