Natasha Rothwell

Last updated

Natasha Rothwell
Natasha Rothwell.jpg
Rothwell in 2012
Born (1980-10-18) October 18, 1980 (age 44)
Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Education University of Maryland, College Park
Occupations
  • Actress
  • writer
  • producer
Years active2013–present
Notable work

Natasha Rothwell (born October 18, 1980) is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her work on the HBO series Insecure as Kelli Prenny, and The White Lotus as Belinda, for which she earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. In September 2024, Hulu released How to Die Alone, a comedy series starring and co-created by Rothwell.

Contents

Career

Rothwell taught for KIPP at a high school in the Bronx prior to her pivot to entertainment. [1] Her first professional writing job in the entertainment industry was as a writer for Saturday Night Live in the 2014–2015 season. [2] [3] [4] She gained further prominence through working on the HBO television series Insecure . [5] [6] [7] as a writer, supervising producer, and the series regular role of Kelli Prenny. [8] [9]

On April 15, 2019, Rothwell joined a host of other writers in firing their agents as part of the Writers Guild of America’s stand against the Association of Talent Agents and the practice of packaging. [10] In 2021, her company Big Hattie Productions struck an overall deal with ABC Signature. [11]

In 2022, Rothwell was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in season 1 of HBO's The White Lotus . [12] On December 16, 2024, it was announced Rothwell would return to season 3 of The White Lotus. [13]

Rothwell co-created, produced, and starred in How to Die Alone , a comedy series released on Hulu on September 13, 2024 that she initially developed with HBO in 2018. [1] [14] [15] She stars as a thirty-something JFK airport worker who has never been in love. [16] The series received positive critical reception, and Rothwell won a Celebration of Cinema and Television Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination. [17] [18] The series was cancelled after one season. [19]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015 A Year and Change Angie
2018 Love, Simon Ms. Albright
2019 Wyrm V.P. Lister
2020 Like a Boss Jill
Sonic the Hedgehog Rachel
Wonder Woman 1984 Carol
2022 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Rachel
Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm Japongaloid (Japongaloid Natasha)Voice
2023 Wish Sakina
Wonka Piper Benz [20]
2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 RachelCameo

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014 Wild 'n Out HerselfCast Member: Season 6
Royal Pains Tamara1 episode
2014–2015 Saturday Night Live Writer, 21 episodes
2016 Search Party Real Woman1 episode
Netflix Presents: The Characters Various charactersAlso writer, 1 episode
2016–2021 Insecure Kelli PrennyAlso writer, 18 episodes
2017 BoJack Horseman Clemelia BloodsworthVoice, 1 episode
Future-Worm! VariousVoice, 2 episodes
2018 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Delia AlvaradoEpisode: "Show Me Going"
2018–2021 DuckTales Zan Owlson Voice, 5 episodes
2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil BrunzettaVoice, 2 episodes
A Black Lady Sketch Show Pearlina Teatree1 episode
2020 Love, Victor Ms. Albright1 episode
Baby Shark's Big Show! Mommy SharkEnglish dub, main role
2021 American Dad! CarolVoice, episode: "Cry Baby"
2021, 2025 The White Lotus BelindaMain role: season 1 & 3
2021–2022 Tuca & Bertie Terry Toucan3 episodes
2022 The Ghost and Molly McGee Candace GreenVoice, 2 episodes
2024 Sausage Party: Foodtopia Rutabaga Ginsberg, Various charactersVoice; 5 episodes
How to Die Alone MelMain role, also writer and creator

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2016 Writers Guild of America Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series [a] Saturday Night Live Nominated [21]
2019 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Insecure Nominated [22]
Outstanding Writing, Comedy Series [b] Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated [23]
2020 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Comedy Series [c] Won [24]
Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy SeriesNominated
Outstanding Writing, Comedy SeriesNominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Comedy Series [c] Nominated [25]
2021 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated [26]
Celebration Black of Cinema and Television Special Honoree AwardHerselfWon [27]
2022 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesInsecureNominated [28]
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special The White Lotus Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy SeriesInsecureNominated [29]
Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited SeriesThe White LotusNominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Nominated [30]
2024 Celebration of Cinema and Television Producer AwardHow to Die Alone| style="background: #9EFF9E; color: #000; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2 notheme"|Won [31]
2025NAACP Image Awardsstyle="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated [32]
style="background: #FFE3E3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2 notheme"|Nominated [33]
Independent Spirit Awards style="background: #9EFF9E; color: #000; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2 notheme"|Won [34]

Notes

  1. Shared with the writers of Saturday Night Live.
  2. Shared with Issa Rae.
  3. 1 2 Shared with the producers of Insecure.

References

  1. 1 2 O'Connell, Mikey (September 12, 2024). "Natasha Rothwell Is "Fine As F***"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  2. "'SNL' Wasn't A Good Fit For Natasha Rothwell. Now On 'Insecure,' She's Anything But". Npr.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  3. Lambert, Molly (September 26, 2018). "Natasha Rothwell Wants to Be a Romantic Lead". The New York Times . Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  4. Hope, Clover (August 8, 2018). "Natasha Rothwell: A New Queen of Comedy". Jezebel. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  5. "Natasha Rothwell, The Breakout Star Of 'Insecure'". NPR.org. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  6. "Natasha Rothwell Knows How to Show Up". Gq.com. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  7. Fadulu, Lola (October 30, 2018). "Insecure's Natasha Rothwell on Finding Her Path to Hollywood". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  8. "Natasha Rothwell". Ucbcomedy.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  9. Mulkerrins, Jane (December 18, 2018). "Insecure's Natasha Rothwell on being 2018's funniest character". Theguardian.com.
  10. "Damon Lindelof, Hart Hanson Among Top Showrunners Posting Termination Letters In Wake Of Failed WGA-ATA Negotiations". Deadline. April 13, 2019. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (April 29, 2021). "Natasha Rothwell Inks Big Overall Deal With ABC Signature". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  12. 2022 Nominees - Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie Archived September 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Emmys.com. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  13. "'White Lotus' Season 3 Trailer: Natasha Rothwell Returns With Hot, Troubled Vacationers in Thailand". Yahoo News. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  14. McDonald, Soraya Nadia (March 7, 2018). "'Insecure's' Natasha Rothwell knows a thing or two about (teaching) drama". Andscape . Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  15. Petski, Denise (December 4, 2018). "Natasha Rothwell Inks Overall Deal With HBO". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  16. Summerhill, Hannah (September 9, 2024). "With 'How to Die Alone,' Natasha Rothwell Finally Becomes the Main Character". Vogue. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  17. "NAACP Image Awards | Our Stories Our Culture". www.naacpimageawards.net. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  18. "The Critics Choice Association Announces Full Slate of Honorees for the 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television – Critics Choice Awards" . Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  19. Hailu, Selome (February 4, 2025). "'How to Die Alone' Canceled After One Season on Hulu; Creator-Star Natasha Rothwell Is 'Baffled' and Shopping Series Elsewhere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  20. Lewis, Reo; Russell, Tom (October 18, 2023). "Wonka: Release Date, Cast & Everything We Know". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  21. McNary, Dave (February 13, 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  22. "The 3rd Annual Black Reel Awards for Television (BRATs)". August 2, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  23. Richards, Kimberley (March 31, 2019). "50th NAACP Image Awards: Here Are The Winners". HuffPost . Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  24. Anderson, Erik (August 6, 2020). "'Watchmen,' 'Insecure' top Black Reel Awards for Television winners". Awards Watch. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  25. "Outstanding Comedy Series - 2020". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  26. Davis, Clayton (February 2, 2021). "Viola Davis, Tyler Perry and Regina King Up for Entertainer of the Year at 2021 NAACP Image Awards". Variety . Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  27. Hammond, Pete (November 10, 2022). "Will Smith, Ava DuVernay & Antoine Fuqua Among New Honorees For CCA's Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  28. Zhan, Jennifer (February 26, 2022). "NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk". Vulture . Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  29. Tinoco, Armando (August 14, 2022). "Black Reel TV Awards: Quinta Brunson & 'Abbott Elementary' Lead Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  30. "74th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners - OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE - 2022". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  31. "The Critics Choice Association Announces Full Slate of Honorees for the 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television – Critics Choice Awards". Critics Choice Association. November 7, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  32. "NAACP Image Awards | Our Stories Our Culture". www.naacpimageawards.net. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  33. "NAACP Image Awards | Our Stories Our Culture". www.naacpimageawards.net. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  34. Lang, Brent (December 4, 2024). "Spirit Awards 2025 Nominations: 'Anora' and 'I Saw the TV Glow' Lead Film Categories, 'Shogun' Rules TV". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2025.