Melanie Thandiwe Newton OBE, born on 6 November 1972, is a distinguished British actress recognized for her powerful and diverse performances in film and television. Formerly credited as Thandie Newton, she gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Maeve Millay in the HBO sci-fi series Westworld (2016–2022), a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. Newton’s screen career spans decades, with standout performances in Beloved (1998), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Crash (2004)—for which she won a BAFTA Award—and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). Her range is further showcased in films like W. (2008), 2012 (2009), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), where she played the rebel Val.
In addition to her dramatic work, Newton has lent her voice to the character Mona in Netflix’s adult animated series Big Mouth (2019–present) and its spinoff Human Resources (2021–2023). She has also made a mark on British television with her role as Roz Huntley in Line of Duty (2017). Honored with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2019, Newton is celebrated not only for her artistry but also for her advocacy and charitable work, particularly around issues of race, gender, and representation in media.
