Danielle Brooks

Many know Danielle Brooks as "Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson" in Netflix’s Emmy nominated series, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, a role that garnered her two NAACP Image Award nominations for "Best Actress in a Comedy Series.”

This winter, Brooks will be seen in the musical feature film adaption of THE COLOR PURPLE, as the iconic role “Sofia” directed by Blitz Bazawule for Warner Bros.

Other recent work includes a starring role on Broadway in THE PIANO LESSON opposite Samuel L. Jackon in which she received the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations. Brooks also stars opposite John Cena in the hit HBO Max / DC series, PEACEMAKER.

Brooks starred as the legendary Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in director Kenny Leon’s MAHALIA, she earned the “Actress Award for Television” from the Critics Choice Association Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. Additionally, she was nominated for a Critics Choice TV “Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television” Award, a NAACP Image Award in the “Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special” category, and received a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination as a Co- Executive Producer on MAHALIA for “Outstanding Television Movie”

On stage, Brooks made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning revival of THE COLOR

PURPLE, which earned her a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. She also received a Grammy Award and a Theatre World Award for "Significant Broadway Debut." Brooks starred as “Beatrice” in The Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. For her performance, she received the AUDELCO Award for “Lead Actress in a Musical,” the ANTONYO Award for “Best Actor in a Play, Off-Broadway,” and a Drama League Award nomination for “Distinguished Performance.”

Other work includes Neon's feature film, CLEMENCY which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, Aziz Ansari’s Emmy Award-winning Netflix comedy series MASTER OF NONE, HBO’s HIGH MAINTENANCE and GIRLS. Brooks' voice work includes Sony’s animated feature ANGRY BIRDS, HBO Max’s CLOSE ENOUGH, and Netflix’s KARMA’S WORLD.

Danielle released her four track EP entitled FOUR and co-wrote the songs including “Seasons,” which is featured in the series finale of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK.

Brooks served as the host on the Netflix home renovation show INSTANT DREAM HOME. She received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the “Daytime Program Host” category.

Danielle is the co-founder of “Black Women on Broadway,” which honors the legacy of Black Women’s contributions to the theatre. She serves on the Artistic Board of Urban Arts Partnership, which advances the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved

public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap.

Danielle grew up in South Carolina and is a graduate of The Juilliard School.