Mika Simmons

Last updated

Mika Simmons
Mika Simmons PriscillaBFILFF091023 (cropped).jpg
Born (1976-03-18) 18 March 1976 (age 48)
Greenwich, London, UK
Education University of Leeds
Alma mater Drama Studio London
Occupations
  • Actress
  • filmaker
  • voice actress
  • writer
  • director
Years active1998 - present
Relatives Keir Simmons (brother)
Website MikaSimmons.com

Mika Simmons is a British actress and film-maker who is known for playing Queen Anora in Dragon Age series, [1] [2] the BAFTA winning Falling Apart, [3] [4] [5] and BBC Showtrial, [6] and the award-winning Rain Stops Play and My Week With Maisy. [7] [8]

Contents

Simmons is also a campaigner for women's health. In 2013, she started a charity Lady Garden Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers and fund research into treatments. [9] She interviews experts and survivors about their experiences with women's health on her podcast The Happy Vagina. [10] [11] [12] [13]

Early life

Simmons was born in Greenwich, London. Her brother is journalist Keir Simmons. [14] Aged six, her family moved to Somerset where she attended Wellsway Comprehensive school and joined Bristol Youth Theatre. She then attended University of Leeds to study theatre, graduating with a BA in English Literature and Theatre Studies. [15] Following graduation, Simmons moved to London to train as an actress at the Drama Studio London. [16]

Career

In 1998, Simmons was cast in the role of "Prudence" in ITV's Frenchman's Creek, a TV film based on the novel of the same name. [17] [18] In 2002, she appeared in Channel 4's TV movie, Falling Apart, a period drama, about domestic violence in a middle-class relationship in Britain. [19] [20] [21] [22] In 2011, Simmons played in the play, You Once Said Yes, which won both the Fringe First and Total Theatre awards. [23] [ failed verification ] [24]

Simmons has appeared in the ITV drama, Unforgotten . [25] [26] In 2016, she appeared in Film London's short Balcony. [27] [15] The film went on to win a Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. [11] In 2019 she played a part in Us Among the Stones, directed by D.R. (Dictynna) Hood. [28] [29] In 2020, she appeared in the BBC drama Showtrial . [30] In 2023, Simmons played Jill in Disruption at Off West End Park Theatre alongside Nathaniel Curtis. [31] [32] [33] [34]

In 2019, Simmons wrote and directed her first short film, Rain Stops Play, a comedy short about sex and the sexes, featuring Tara Fitzgerald and produced by Jackie Green and Roberta Moore. [35] It won the Silver Remi for Best Comedy Short at the Houston Film Festival. [12] [13] The film has been shown at Underwire Festival [36] and Portobello Film Festival [37] and premiered at Fragments Festival, Genesis Cinema, London. [38]

In 2020, Simmons started The Happy Vagina platform "dedicated to opening up the conversation around women's experience and gynaecological health" [39] [26] and her podcast, in which she discusses sex and intimacy with well-known women. [40] [41] [42] [43]

Simmons' first book The Happy Vagina was published on 4 August 2022. [44]

Activism

Simmons is co-founder and co-chair of the Ginsburg Women's Health Board, working with government towards closing the gender health gap. [45] [46]

Simmons is one of the six women who in 2013 co-founded the Lady Garden Foundation, a charity which raises awareness and funding for gynaecological health. [47] [48] [49] The charity has been supported by Topshop, [50] Sarah, Duchess of York, [51] and Princess Beatrice. [52] It has raised over £1,000,000 since 2014 to assist research at the Royal Marsden Hospital into treatments including the use of Olaparib, led by Susana Banerjee who inspired Simmons to start the foundation. [53] [54]

In 2017, Simmons was chosen as one of 40 women to front Lancôme's campaign with the strapline "My power is acting" and a brief profile. [55] In 2021, Simmons was chosen as one of five Harper's Bazaar visionaries for the year. [56]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000 Without Motive RosieEpisode: A Rattled Man
2003 Casualty Gemma LynchEpisode: Against Protocol
2005 Bad Girls DI KitsonS7. Episode: 1
2017 Unforgotten ChambersS2. Episode: 1 & 2
2021 Showtrial Amanda WikinsonS1. Episode: 1

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Frenchman's CreekPrudence
2000Happy Birthday ShakespeareSally
2002Falling ApartSally
2005 Ripley Under Ground Sandy
2010Going HerbalJune
2013Dragon Age Inquisition: A World UnveiledQueen Anora
MagpieOlivia BallShort
2014Through the HawthornSamVoice
2015Westminster GirlsJessShort
BalconyKate
2019Us Among the StonesRose
2020All My LoveJoanna Spector
2021Birthday BoyKris

Podcast series

YearTitleRole(s)Notes
2020The Happy VaginaHerself [10]

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011 Dragon Age: Redemption Queen AnoraEpisode: Tallis

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
YearTitleRoleNotes
2009 Dragon Age: Origins Queen Anora / Isabela / Bella / Dilwyn / Ostagar Nurse / The Warden / Violent Human Female / Pearl Human Female Companion / Hooded Courier / Eamon Estate MaidXbox 360
2010 Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Queen Anora / SorchaPlayStation 3
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Queen Anora / Charter / SeannaPlayStation 4 / Xbox 360
2024 Dragon Age: The Veilguard Queen AnoraPlayStation 5

Writer

YearTitleRoleNotes
2019Rain Stops PlayHerselfWriter
2020BreachHerselfWriter

Director

YearTitleRoleNotes
2019Rain Stops PlayHerselfDirector
2020BreachHerselfDirector
2024My Week With MaisyHerselfDirector

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated WorkResultRef.
2019WorldFest HoustonBest Comedy Short FilmRain Stops PlayWon [35] [13] [11]
2019Underwire Film Festival, UKEditing AwardRain Stops PlayNominated
2019Milwaukee Short Film FestivalFestival PrizeRain Stops PlayNominated
2019That Film FestivalBest of FestRain Stops PlayNominated
2019Portobello Film and Video FestivalGolden Trellick AwardRain Stops PlayNominated
2020Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, UKBest Short ComedyRain Stops PlayNominated
2020Martha's Vineyard International Film FestivalJury PrizeRain Stops PlayNominated
2021Portland Film FestivalBest International DirectorBreachWon [57]
2024Cleveland International Film FestivalAudience Choice AwardMy Week With MaisyWon [58]
2024Cleveland International Film FestivalBest Women's Short FilmMy Week With MaisyWon [58]
2024Short Shorts Film Festival & AsiaDiversity AwardMy Week With MaisyNominated [59]
2024Crystal Palace International Film FestivalBest Short FilmMy Week With MaisyNominated
2024Brighton Rocks International Film FestivalBest Short Film - DramaMy Week With MaisyNominated
2024Short Shorts Film Festival & AsiaBest Short FilmMy Week With MaisyWon [59]
2024Women Over 50 Film FestivalBest Drama - CommendedMy Week With MaisyNominated
2024Sunderland Shorts Film FestivalHonourable MentionMy Week With MaisyWon [60]

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References

  1. ↑ "10. Queen Anora (Dragon Age) a review of Queen Anora Theirin". www.listal.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Dragon Age: Origins – Non-Playable Characters - Fereldan Nobles / Characters - TV Tropes". www.tvtropes.org. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "Falling Apart - Where to Watch and Stream Online – Entertainment.ie". www.entertainment.ie.
  4. ↑ "Falling Apart ‹ Century Films". www.centuryfilmsltd.com.
  5. ↑ "Television Craft - New Director - Fiction in 2003". www.bafta.org.
  6. ↑ "2022 Television Supporting Actress". www.bafta.org.
  7. ↑ "Immy Waterhouse - Rain Stops Play short film by Mika Simmons". Tatler. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "Joanna Lumley Stars in Chemotherapy Drama 'My Week With Maisy'". www.variety.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Mika Simmons". www.huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  10. 1 2 "The Best Podcasts For Love, Dating, Sex And Relationships". Grazia. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 "Prizes & Honours 2016: Youth Jury". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
    "Balcony" (PDF). International Filmfestspiele Berlin. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Remi winners" (PDF). FilmFestivals.com. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 "Rain Stops Play". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  14. ↑ "Princess Beatrice Gets Behind Fight Against Ovarian Cancer". NBC News. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Mika Simmons: "Lights, Camera, Orgasm"". Vanity Fair . 5 January 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Rain Stops Play". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  17. ↑ "Mika Simmons". BFI. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  18. ↑ "Entertainment Dramatic look for ITV's Christmas offering". BBC. 24 November 1998.
  19. ↑ "Mika Simmons". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Period dramas win Baftas". BBC News . 12 May 2003. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "BAFTA Awards - Television Craft: New Director - Fiction in 2003" . Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  22. ↑ "BAFTA Awards - Television Craft: New Writer in 2003" . Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  23. ↑ Girivan, Andrew (19 August 2011). "Nominees Announced for 2011 Total Theatre Awards". Whats on Stage.
  24. ↑ "You Once Said Yes". British Council. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "Man was stabbed to death in Kensington "after refusing to give money to youths"". Joe. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  26. 1 2 Magistretti, Bérénice. ""Lights, Camera, Orgasm": An Interview with Mika Simmons". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  27. ↑ "British Council Film: Balcony". transform.britishcouncil.org.br. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  28. ↑ "London Film Festival - Us Among The Stones". The Reviews Hub. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  29. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (8 December 2020). "Us Among the Stones review – thoughtful Laurence Fox stars in heartfelt indie drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  30. ↑ "BBC Blogs - BBC Writersroom - Showtrial". 27 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  31. ↑ "Full cast announced for world premiere of Disruption at Park Theatre". www.theatre-news.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  32. ↑ "Full Cast Announced for Disruption at Park Theatre". www.theatreweekly.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "Review: Disruption, at Park Theatre". www.camdennewjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  34. ↑ "Disruption Reviews". www.westendtheatre.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  35. 1 2 Freeman, Hadley (18 April 2019). "Tara Fitzgerald: 'I didn't think I was very talented. I didn't have that fight'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  36. ↑ "Hysterical - 2019". Underwire Festival. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  37. ↑ "2019 Report". Portobello Film Festival. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  38. ↑ "Discover new diverse filmmaking talent at Fragments Festival". Pact. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  39. ↑ "Home page". The Happy Vagina. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  40. ↑ Simmons, Mika (1 November 2020). "The lesson I learnt from my mum's death could save lives". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  41. ↑ Simmons, Mika (3 March 2020). "8 lessons I've learned from interviewing influential women about sex". Red Online. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  42. ↑ Anderson, Alana (19 August 2020). "Stars have joined forces to celebrate Gynaecological positivity and self-love". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "Gynaecological Awareness Month: How To Have A Happy Vagina". Grazia. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  44. ↑ Chappet, Marie-Claire (3 August 2022). "Mika Simmons on the importance of Women's Health". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  45. ↑ "Women's health: Female patients to be asked about 'gender health gap'". BBC News. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  46. ↑ "Board". Ginsburg Women's Health Board. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  47. ↑ "Founders". Lady Garden Foundation. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  48. ↑ Barcelona, El Periódico / (30 September 2017). "Naomi Campbell posa contra el cáncer ginecológico". elperiodico (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  49. ↑ "Mika Simmons". Lady Garden Foundation. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  50. ↑ "We love Topshop's new Lady Garden campaign fronted by Cara Delevingne | Living North". www.livingnorth.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  51. ↑ "Sarah Ferguson turns heads in stunning sheer black gown". HELLO!. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  52. ↑ "Princess Beatrice Gets Behind Fight Against Ovarian Cancer". MSNBC News. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2021. NBC News' Keir Simmons sits down with Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, Beatrice and his sister, Mika Simmons to discuss their effort to educate women about the cancer dubbed "the silent killer".
  53. ↑ "A 'new era' for women with ovarian cancer". The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  54. ↑ Bystander. "6th Annual Lady Garden Foundation lunch at Fortnum and Mason". Tatler. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  55. ↑ "Find Your Shade. Find Your Power". www.lancome.co.uk. Lancôme UK. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  56. ↑ Lee, Helena (February 2021). "THE CAMPAIGNERS - Mika Simmons & Nimco Ali". Harper's Bazaar. pp. 120–121. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  57. ↑ "Joanna Lumley Stars in Chemotherapy Drama 'My Week With Maisy'". www.variety.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  58. 1 2 "Awards & Winners". Cleveland International Film. 2 September 2024.
  59. 1 2 "HollyShorts Film Festival to Launch London Edition (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 7 August 2024.
  60. ↑ "'Pay what you can' festival returns with 150 films". BBC News. 7 May 2024.
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