Marianne Jean-Baptiste Biography

Marianne Jean-Baptiste was born in Camberwell, London, England. As a child, Marianne attended an all-girls school called St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Church of England School. She discovered acting through a children’s nativity play and continued it a hobby throughout school. After graduating she was classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Before acting, Marianne had dreams of becoming a barrister, because she always wanted to do a closing argument.

She made her on-screen debut with a small role in London Kills Me (1991), which starred Justin Chadwick and Fiona Shaw. Following that, Marianne turned to the stage. In 1993 she met director Mike Leigh when she was cast in his stage play It’s a Great Big Shame. In 1994 she was in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and was nominated for the Ian Charleson Award, which recognizes the best classical stage performances by actors under the age of 30 in Britain.

Marianne received international recognition after starring in the Mike Leigh-directed film Secrets & Lies (1996). The film was a Best Picture nominee at the 1997 Academy Awards and Marianne received a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, making her the first Black British actress to be nominated. She also received nominations in the same category from the BAFTA Awards and the Golden Globes.

In addition to her acting talent Marianne is a writer and composer. She recorded an album of blues songs and composed the score for Mike Leigh’s film Career Girls (1997).

Marianne eventually relocated to Los Angeles for work and began a career on television. She played the role of Vivian Johnson on Without a Trace for 159 episodes over its seven-season run. She was also a regular in the first season of Blindspot in 2015.

In 2024, Marianne teamed up with Mike Leigh again for Hard Truths (2025). Marianne garnered strong awards consideration and was nominated at the BAFTA Awards for Best Leading Actress and the Critics Choice Awards for Best Actress. She has also won the Best Actress prize from the New Yorks Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics.

Marianne is married to Evan Williams. They were married in 1997 and have two children.

Filmography:

Hard Truths (2024)
Rumble Through the Dark (2023)
The Book of Clarence (2023)
The Sea Beast (2022)
Boxing Day (2021)
Fatman (2020)
In Fabric (2018)
Peter Rabbit (2018)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
RoboCop (2014)
The Moment (2013)
Won’t Back Down (2012)
Breaking Waves (2011)
Violet & Daisy (2011)
360 (2011)
Takers (2010)
City of Ember (2008)
Jam (2006)
Welcome to California (2005)
Don’t Explain (2002)
Spy Game (2001)
Women in Film (2001)
The Cell (2000)
28 Days (2000)
New Year’s Day (2000)
The 24 Hour Woman (1999)
A Murder of Crows (1998)
Nowhere to Go (1998)
How to Make the Cruelest Month (1998)
Mr. Jealousy (1997)
Secrets & Lies (1996)
London Kills Me (1991)