Ilfenesh Hadera

Ilfenesh Hadera is an American actress. Hadera has been a frequent collaborator of director Spike Lee, appearing in Oldboy, Chi-Raq (2015), She's Gotta Have It (2018-2019) and Highest 2 Lowest (2025). She identifies as half Ethiopian and half white. Her father, Asfaha Hadera, an Ethiopian refugee of Tigrayan descent, is the founder of the African Services Committee (ASC), a Harlem-based organization that works with African refugees. Her mother, Kim Nichols, has served as co-director of ASC since 1984. She volunteered with the organization prior to beginning her acting career.

Hadera attended The Harlem School of the Arts, followed by the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. She went on to receive an MFA in text and performance studies from RADA/King's College London.

Career In 2010, Hadera made her acting debut in the film 1/20.

A frequent collaborator with Spike Lee, she has appeared in Oldboy, Chi-Raq, She's Gotta Have It and Highest 2 Lowest. She's also appeared in The Bricklayer, The Blacklist, Show Me a Hero, Chicago Fire, and The Punisher.

Hadera co-starred as Stephanie Holden in the 2017 film Baywatch, and in 2018 starred as Kay Daniels in the TV series Deception. She had a recurring role in the Showtime series Billions, as a secretary to billionaire fund manager Bobby Axelrod, played by Damian Lewis.

On September 29, 2019, Hadera began starring as Mayme Johnson, the wife of Bumpy Johnson in the premiere of the American crime drama television series, Godfather of Harlem on Epix. In 2025, she played Pam King in Highest 2 Lowest.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 1/20 Hazel 2013 Oldboy Judy 2015 Chi-Raq Ms. McCloud 2017 Baywatch Stephanie Holden 2024 The Bricklayer Tye Werewolves Lucy Marshall 2025 Highest 2 Lowest Pam King

Television Year Title Role Notes 2011 Da Brick Saalinge TV movie 2013 The Blacklist Jennifer Palmer Episode: "Pilot" 2015 Show Me a Hero Carmen Febles Main cast Chicago Fire Serena Holmes Recurring role (season 4) 2016 Difficult People Abby Episode: "Patches" Conviction Naomi Golden Recurring role 2016–17 Billions Deb Kawi Recurring role (seasons 1-2) 2017 Master of None Lisa Recurring role (season 2) The Punisher Mistress Episode: "Crosshairs" 2017–19 She's Gotta Have It Opal Gilstrap Recurring role 2018 Deception Kay Daniels Main cast 2019–2025 Godfather of Harlem Mayme Johnson Main cast 2021 Run the World Herself Episode: "What a Co-inky-dick" 2021–22 Blue Bloods Det. Angela Reddick 2 episodes 2023 East New YorkA.D.A. Vonny DiskantEpisode: "In the Bag" 2023–24 The Equalizer Michelle Chambers 2 episodes 2026 Will Trent Joanne Drexler 2 episodes