Thandie (pronounced Tan-dee) Newton was born November 6, 1972, in Zambia, Africa. Her exotic and original beauty can be attributed to her mixed heritage: her father Nick Newton, a British artist and former lab technician married Nyasha, a Zimbabwean nurse.

Because of political instability in her native Zambia, Thandie's family relocated to Nick's hometown of Penzance, England, when Thandie was 5 years old. Growing up in England along with her younger brother James, Thandie was originally passionate about dance.

While studying modern dance at the London Art Educational School, a back injury led her to acting when she was forced to miss classes and was encouraged to audition for a film that was on the lookout for fresh talent at her school.

Filmography
Shade (2003)
Truth About Charlie, The (2002) .... Regina Lampert
Mission: Impossible II (2000) .... Nyah Nordoff-Hall
Beloved (1998) .... Beloved
Besieged (1998) .... Shandurai
Gridlock'd (1997) .... Cookie
Leading Man, The (1996) .... Hilary Rule
Journey of August King, The (1995) .... Annalees Williamsburg
Jefferson in Paris (1995) .... Sally Hemings
Loaded (1994) .... Zita
Interview with the Vampire (1994) .... Yvette
Young Americans, The (1993) .... Rachael Stevens
Flirting (1991) .... Thandiwe Adjewa

Articles & Interviews
IMDb "Thandie Newton" date unknown
Cranky Critic "Thandie Newton: Beloved and Beguiling." date unknown
E! "The Sizzlin' Sixteen Of 1999" date unknown