Vinette Robinson

Vinette Robinson (born 1981) is a British actress. She won a British Independent Film Award for her performance in the film Boiling Point, a role she reprised in its spinoff series. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC One series Waterloo Road (2009), Sherlock (2010–2014) and The A Word (2016–2017). She also guest starred in Black Mirror (2015) and as civil rights campaigner Rosa Parks in the Doctor Who episode "Rosa" (2018).

Early life and education Vinette Robinson was born in 1981 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to a Jamaican father and a British mother. along with weekly courses at the Scala School of Performing Arts theatre school in Leeds.

Career Robinson began auditioning when she was thirteen years old; her first audition was for the role of Queen Amidala in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; a part which ultimately went to Natalie Portman. She made her television debut in The Cops at the age of 17. Following this she spent three years at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where she was awarded a Laurence Olivier Bursary from the Society of London Theatre. She had a small role as the Jamaican girl in the 2004 film Vera Drake but was given an entire character backstory by the director Mike Leigh. Her performance in Sugar Mummies that same year led New York magazine to list her as one of "London's hottest young stage actors" in 2007. Following the conclusion of Sugar Mummies, she appeared in a short feature for Time Out, in which she and five other actors were described as "innovative young theatrical talent". Kate Bassett for The Independent on Sunday also praised her, writing that she "copes admirably". In 2010 she starred as police sergeant Sally Donovan in the BBC series Sherlock, continuing her role in the second and third series that aired in January 2012 and December 2013/January 2014.

In 2011 Robinson appeared in Philip Ridley's Tender Napalm, receiving The Offie for Best Female. She then went on to play Ophelia in The Young Vic's production of Hamlet, for which she received the Clarence Derwent Award. Her role as Ophelia led to her inclusion in the New York Times Magazine article "Titans of the Stage". In 2016 she appeared in Hated in the Nation, an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.

In October 2018, Robinson appeared in the Doctor Who episode "Rosa", as civil rights campaigner Rosa Parks. It was her second appearance in Doctor Who, following her portrayal of the character Abi Lerner in the 2007 episode "42". In 2019 Robinson appeared briefly in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as a pilot who receives a same-sex kiss, a first for the film franchise.

She appeared in the 2021 one-take film Boiling Point for which she received critical acclaim, as well as the BIFA for Best Supporting Actress. She portrays a sous chef to an insolent, alcoholic head chef over the course of one hectic night at a busy restaurant.

Acting credits Film Year Film Role NotesRef. 2004 Vera Drake Jamaican Girl 2005 Imagine Me & You Zina 2011 Powder Hannah 2016 Morgan Dr. Brenda Finch2019 Frankie Sylvia Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Pilot Tyce 2020 Say Your Prayers Imelda 2021 Boiling Point Carly 2023 The Pod Generation Alice 2025 The Thing with Feathers Amanda

Television

Theatre Video games Year Title RoleRef. 2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Sister Tanner (voice)

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Role Work ResultRef. 2012 Clarence Derwent Awards Best Female in a Supporting Role Ophelia Hamlet 2021 BIFA Best Supporting Actress Carly Boiling Point 2023 BAFTA Scotland Best Actress - Television Michelle O'Neill Six Four