Naomie Harris has always been vocal about being raised in an environment of strong, creative women. That explains why most of her roles are similar in nature.
“I grew up with incredibly strong, powerful women around me who were highly intelligent and doing their own thing, and those are the women I’m interested in portraying because that’s what I know to be the truth,” she told The Guardian.
Naomie Harris stuns in a sleek navy dress at Cointreau’s Creative Crew Awards on May 24, 2016, at Liberty London (Credit: WENN)
Naomie Harris had been making waves in British television, but it was a pivotal role in a groundbreaking film that truly catapulted her into the spotlight. Her performance in 28 Days Later marked the beginning of an illustrious career.
28 Days Later: The Role That Launched Naomie Harris
Fourteen years earlier, she starred as Selena in Danny Boyle’s 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later. Virtually unknown before the film’s release, she had previously only acted on British television.
Danny Boyle intentionally cast unknown actors for most of the leading roles in “28 Days Later” to create a film that relied on solid storytelling instead of star power.
Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Noah Huntley, and Megan Burns had little to no recognition before the film production. Murphy and Huntley had only played minor roles in films, Harris had primarily worked in British television, and Burns had just one previous acting credit. The only notable cast members were Brendan Gleeson and Christopher Eccleston, already well-established actors.
Naomie Harris as Selena, Brendan Gleeson as Frank, and Cillian Murphy as Jim in the 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Naomie Harris: Breaking Barriers with a Breakthrough Performance
For her role as Selena, Naomie Harris became the first woman to win the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, a category that was not gender-specific until 2014.
28 Days Later was released on November 1, 2002, when Naomie Harris was 26. Cillian Murphy, who played the lead role of Jim, was also 26, while Brendan Gleeson was 47 and Christopher Eccleston was 38.
“I was in a little red dress,” she told The Guardian about filming her breakout role. “It was winter, I was covered in blood, I was freezing. I don’t know how I survived it.”
Unsurprisingly, the actress wants to encourage others to pursue similar paths to creative success. In May 2016, Naomie attended Cointreau’s grant awarding ceremony for creative hopefuls in London.
A Fashion Icon at the Cointreau Creative Crew Awards
Naomie Harris wears a blue dress from Jonathan Simkhai on the orange carpet (Credit: WENN)
Naomie Harris attended the 2016 Cointreau Creative Crew Awards in London in a beautiful navy and white dress by Jonathan Simkhai.
The midi dress featured gorgeous lace details across its asymmetrical skirt and a sleeveless design.
Naomie Harris’s feet in silver Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (Credit: WENN)
The Moonlight actress paired her dainty dress with a more adventurous silver “Maryjane” sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Naomie Harris and Laetitia Casta attend the Cointreau Creative Crew Award Ceremony at Liberty London on May 24, 2016, in London, England (Credit: WENN)
We’re not sure if Naomie was at the event as an official part of the agenda or to mingle and show support, but regardless — she looked great!
Via Naomie Harris’s social media, posted with the hashtag “#DreamDareCreate” (Credit: Naomie Harris’ Instagram)
You can order Naomie’s “Maryjane” sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti at Farfetch.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design “Maryjane” Strappy Sandals, $900