Rutina Wesley

Rutina Wesley (born December 21, 1978) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Tara Thornton in the HBO fantasy drama series True Blood, Nova Bordelon on the OWN drama series Queen Sugar, and Maria Miller in the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us.

Early life and education Wesley was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her father, Ivery Wheeler, is a professional tap dancer, and her mother, Cassandra Wesley, was a showgirl. She studied dance at Simba Studios and the West Las Vegas Arts Center.

After Wesley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance in 2001, her grandmother suggested that she do a nursing course to have a practical fallback job, but Wesley insisted on pursuing her artistic education. and graduated in May 2005 (Group 34). Her studies included a summer spent at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

She was presented with an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by Dean College in 2023 for her work as an actress and contribution to pop culture.

Career Rutina Wesley appearing on a panel for True Blood at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009. Rutina Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con with Ryan Kwanten, Deborah Ann Woll, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Nelsan Ellis from the TV series True Blood in 2011. In December 2006, Wesley was featured in David Hare's Broadway play The Vertical Hour. In 2007, Wesley also appeared in The Public Theater production of In Darfur by playwright Winter Miller, co-starring Heather Raffo and Aaron Lohr, among others.

Wesley had a minor role in the 2005 film Hitch, which was edited out in the final cut. In 2007, she made her on-screen debut as the main character in the film How She Move, from British director Ian Iqbal Rashid. The character Raya Green, who enters a step-dancing competition to secure funds for her education, was inspired by Tony Manero, portrayed by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Prior to the shooting of the film, Wesley underwent a five-week dance rehearsal period.

Wesley auditioned for the role Tara Thornton in the HBO series True Blood in 2007 and secured the part after creator Alan Ball chose her because "[she] was the first person who showed [Tara's] vulnerable side". Wesley appeared as Liza Warner in the fourth season of Arrow.

In 2016, Wesley was cast as the lead character Nova Bordelon in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Queen Sugar, produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey.

In 2023, Wesley portrayed Maria Miller in the HBO series The Last of Us.

Personal life Wesley divides her time between Astoria, Queens, and Los Angeles, California. In 2005, she married her former Juilliard classmate Jacob Fishel, an actor. After separating in July, Wesley filed for divorce on August 16, 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.

In November 2017, Wesley announced her partnership to Shonda, a chef from New Orleans. They later broke up in 2019.

Filmography

Film + Year Movies Roles Notes 2007 How She Move Raya Green 2012 California Winter Marcy Sanchez 2013 Tina Short 2014 13 Sins Shelby Last Weekend Nora Finley-Perkins 2015 Alicia Broad Squad Joanne TV movie 2017 Last Looks Sister Short 2019 Live and Let Die Solitaire (voice) Video Stucco Officer Short 2021 Outsiders Ramila

Television Year TV show Role Notes 2008 Numb3rs Sarah/Jenny Calandro Episode: "Magic Show" 2008–14 True Blood Tara Thornton Main Cast 2009–12 Yvette (voice) Guest Cast: Season 1 & 3 2010 True Blood: Webisodes Tara Thornton Episode: "Sookie, Tara & Lafayette" 2010–11 Generator Rex Providence Cadet Kenwyn Jones (voice) Guest Cast: Season 1–2 2011 Bandwagon: The Series Auditioner Episode: "It's Your One Shot" 2012 True Blood: Jessica's Blog Tara Thornton Episode: "Big Vampire Sisters" 2015 Hannibal Reba McClane Recurring Cast: Season 3 2015–17 Arrow Liza Warner/Lady Cop Guest Cast: Season 4–5 2016–22 Queen Sugar Nova Bordelon Main Cast 2019 The Walking Dead Jocelyn Episode: "Scars" 2022 DMZ Athena Episode: "Home" 2023–25 The Last of Us Maria Miller Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2 2024 Monster High Venus McFlytrap (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 2

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2009 5th Scream Awards Best Supporting Actress True Blood 14th Satellite Awards Best Cast – Television Series 2010 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2013 44th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2017 48th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Queen Sugar 17th Black Reel Awards 2018 49th NAACP Image Awards 18th Black Reel Awards 2019 50th NAACP Image Awards 19th Black Reel Awards 2020 51st NAACP Image Awards 20th Black Reel Awards 2022 53rd NAACP Image Awards