Azie Tesfai
Azie Tesfai | |
|---|---|
 Tesfai at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con Supergirl Roundtable | |
| Born | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Writer, Producer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Known for | Supergirl Jane the Virgin |
Azie Tesfai is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is known for her television roles, including Jane the Virgin and Supergirl.
Early life and education
[edit]Azalech (Azie) Tesfai was raised in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Eritrean immigrants who grew up in Ethiopia.[1] She is an only child. Tesfai received a degree in business administration from UC Berkeley.[citation needed]. While at Berkeley she began attending auditions and acting classes.[2]
Career
[edit]Tesfai's first role was Cherry Milton in Wicked Wicked Games on MyNetworkTV, where she appeared in 30 episodes over two seasons. She has appeared in Melrose Place, Law & Order: SVU, Franklin & Bash and Royal Pains. In 2014 she was cast as recurring detective Nadine Hanson in the CW's Jane the Virgin. She appeared in season 3 of Silicon Valley in 2016.
She was cast as Kelly Olsen, the sister of DC Comics character James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), on the fourth season of The CW series Supergirl.[3] Prior to her debut appearance in the fourth season, it was announced that Tesfai would be promoted to series regular for the fifth season.[4] She co-wrote episode 12 of the sixth and final season ("Blind Spots"), making her the first Arrowverse actor to receive a writing credit on an Arrowverse series.[5] Through her focus on writing and producing, Tesfai currently has two series in development: The Chase, which landed with Universal Television for NBC, and Sheba a drama series about the first queen on the continent of Africa, which landed at Onyx Collective for Hulu with Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media producing.[6]
Fortuned Culture
[edit]Tesfai founded jewelry company Fortuned Culture in Los Angeles.[7] Proceeds from sales help children in developing countries like Mexico, Ethiopia and Cambodia.[8]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2007 | Wicked Wicked Games | Cherry Milton | Main (30 episodes) |
| 2007 | Sands of Oblivion | Jamie | (TV Movie) |
| 2008 | The Cleaner | Ananda | Guest (1 episode) |
| 2009 | Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead | Zadeska | (Movie) |
| Sutures | Kristen | (Movie) | |
| 2009–2010 | Melrose Place | Nurse Mandy | Guest (3 episodes) |
| 2010 | Acts of Violence | Betsy | (Movie) |
| 15 Minutes | Arora | (TV Movie) | |
| Nathan vs. Nurture | Julie | (TV Movie) | |
| 2011 | Two for Hollywood | Vicky | (Short) |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Kendra | Guest (1 episode) | |
| 2012 | Harry's Law | Debbie | Guest (1 episode) |
| This American Housewife | Nellie Swift | Guest (1 episode) | |
| Breakout Kings | Chelsea | Guest (2 episodes) | |
| 2014 | Franklin & Bash | Meg | Guest (4 episodes) |
| Backlash | Michelle | (Short) | |
| 2014–2016 | Jane the Virgin | Nadine Hanson | Recurring (21 episodes, Seasons 1–2) |
| 2015 | Me Him Her | Kempy Blook | (Movie) |
| A Kind of Magic | Lacy | (Movie) | |
| Home & Family | Unknown | Guest (1 episode) | |
| Royal Pains | Aubrey Wolfhouse | Guest (1 episode) | |
| 2016 | Silicon Valley | Dawn Simon | Guest (1 episode) |
| Powers | Dr. Michelle Marrs | Recurring (2 episodes) | |
| Rosewood | Lil Kim | Guest (1 episode) | |
| Superstore | Naomi | Guest (1 episode) | |
| 2017 | Knock Knock Head Lock | Misty Copeland | (Short) |
| The Real O'Neals | Heather | Guest (1 episode) | |
| Ghosted | Kirsten | Guest (1 episode) | |
| 2017–2018 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Dana King | Guest (2 episodes) |
| 2018 | The Kominsky Method | Lynda | Guest (2 episodes) |
| 2019–2021 | Supergirl | Kelly Olsen | Recurring (Season 4) Main (Season 5–6) |
| 2020 | The Wretched | Sara | Movie |
| 2021 | A Million Little Things | Cassandra Thomas | Recurring Role (3 episodes) |
References
[edit]- ^ Sprankles, Julie (31 January 2015). "Jane the Virgin's Azie Tesfai opens up about the reality of living in a third-world country". Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ Adrian Gomez. "Azie Tesfai finds strength, soul in 'Jane the Virgin'". Arts and Entertainment. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 19, 2018). "'Supergirl': Azie Tesfai To Play James Olsen's Sister On the CW's DC Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 15, 2019). "'Supergirl': Azie Tesfai Upped To Series Regular For Season 5". Deadline. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ "Supergirl's Azie Tesfai Is the First Arrowverse Actor to Write a CW DCTV Show". CBR. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (21 January 2023). "Queen of Sheba Drama in the Works at Hulu's Onyx Collective". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Own 'Jane the Virgin' Star's Handmade Jewelry, Help Kids in Five Countries". TakePart. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ "WELCOME TO FORTUNED CULTURE". fortunedculture.com. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
External links
[edit]- Azie Tesfai at IMDb
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