Nathalie Emmanuel

 Nathalie Joanne Emmanuel (born 2 March 1989) is an English actress. Emmanuel started her career in acting in theatre in the mid 1990s when she began to be cast in different West End productions such as the musical The Lion King. She was born in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England, on March 2nd, 1989. Her mother is Dominican, and her father is of half-Saint Lucian and half English descent. She has a younger sister. Emmanuel recalled that her mother first noticed her passion for and desire to become an actress during Emmanuel's attendance at the independent St Hilda's School, which ended in 2014 as well as the Westcliff High School for Girls grammar school. In an interview with New York Daily News, she said, "When my mom was three, always cause drama--so she decided maybe I should channel her energy properly. So I began studying acting, singing and dancing classes." At the age of 10 she was cast as Young Nala in the West End's version of The Lion King. Then she was cast as Missandei in HBO's fantasy-based drama series Game of Thrones. She explained to Jimmy Kimmel that she learned about the character while working as an assistant at the clothing store. Emmanuel was made a regular cast member in 2015, after winning the role. Missandei was the only prominent role model who was female of color in the show, and her funeral scene, which took place whilst she was in chains was not popular with viewers and was viewed as an example of savagery and conjuring the image of slavery.Emmanuel later told The Guardian: The reaction to the death of Missandei was massive because she was not the only one. Many people felt disenfranchised or marginalized, had felt a connection to her, or were perceived by them, especially women of colour. When she passed away, and the way she died - it was extremely painful for many because they thought, 'Oh you're not! They're targeting the only woman of color.