Freema Agyeman

Freema Agyeman was born on March 20, 1979, and raised in London, England. Her mother, Azar, is of Iranian descent, while her father, Osei, is Ghanaian. Agyeman has an older sister, Leila, and a younger brother, Dominic. Despite her parents' religious backgrounds (her mother raised as a Muslim and her father as a Methodist), Agyeman grew up practicing Roman Catholicism.

Agyeman attended Our Lady's Convent RC High School, a Catholic school in Stamford Hill. She also pursued her passion for performing arts and drama, studying at the Anna Scher Theatre School in Islington during the summer of 1996. Agyeman further honed her skills at Middlesex University, where she graduated with a degree in performing arts and drama in 2000.

Following her departure from "Doctor Who," Agyeman reprised her role as Martha Jones in the spin-off series "Torchwood" and appeared in the BBC series "Little Dorrit." She made her US television debut in "The Carrie Diaries" as Larissa Loughlin, a style editor at Interview magazine.

Agyeman's career continued to thrive with roles in various television series, including "Old Jack's Boat," "Silent Witness," and "Survivors." She also starred as Amanita Caplan in the Netflix science fiction drama "Sense8" and currently portrays Dr. Helen Sharpe in the NBC medical procedural series "New Amsterdam."

Agyeman's acting career took off with various roles in television series and films, showcasing her versatility and talent. Prior to her breakthrough in "Doctor Who," she appeared as Lola Wise in the revived series of ITV soap opera "Crossroads." Agyeman also made guest appearances in popular shows such as "Casualty," "Mile High," and "The Bill."

In 2006, Agyeman auditioned for multiple roles in the series "Doctor Who" and eventually landed the part of Adeola Oshodi. Her outstanding performance led to her being cast as Martha Jones, the companion to the Tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant. Agyeman's portrayal of Martha Jones in "Doctor Who" garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following.

Freema Agyeman's talent and contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her several nominations and awards. In 2007, she won the "Best Newcomer" award at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. She also received the "Female TV Star" award at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards.

Agyeman's portrayal of Martha Jones in "Doctor Who" garnered nominations for "Best Actress" in the National Television Awards and the TV Quick Awards. Additionally, she received a longlist nomination for "Best Dramatic Performance" at the National Television Awards for her role as Crown Prosecutor Alesha Phillips in "Law & Order: UK."