Danielle Brooks is best known as Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson in Orange Is the New Black, Mahalia Jackson in Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, and Sofia in The Color Purple (2023).
Films
- The Color PurpleSofia2023
- Eat Wheaties!Sarah2020
- ClemencyEvette2019
- SadieCarla2018
- The Angry Birds Movie 2Zeta (voice)2019
- All the Little Things We KillMonica2019
- Time Is UpVivian2018
- The Day Shall ComeVenus2019
TV shows
- Orange Is the New BlackTasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson2013–2019
- Robin Roberts Presents: MahaliaMahalia Jackson2021
- Close EnoughPearl (voice)2020–2022
- Master of NoneShannon2017
- Girls5EvaDolly (guest)2021
- The SimpsonsDr. Lulu (voice)2020
- Law & Order: Special Victims UnitEsther2015
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About Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks is an American actress and singer, born in 1989, who rose to prominence for her role as Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019). She has since built a versatile career in film, television, and theatre, earning critical acclaim for her performances in stage productions and screen adaptations, including a Tony nomination for The Color…
FAQs
What is Danielle Brooks’ most famous role?
She is best known for playing Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019).
Has Danielle Brooks won any awards?
She has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Orange Is the New Black and received a Tony nomination for her role in The Color Purple on Broadway.
Did Danielle Brooks play Mahalia Jackson?
Yes, she portrayed Mahalia Jackson in the 2021 television film Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, earning critical praise.
What is Danielle Brooks’ background in theatre?
She graduated from the Juilliard School and made her Broadway debut in The Color Purple (2015), for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Is Danielle Brooks in The Color Purple film?
Yes, she played Sofia in the 2023 musical film adaptation of The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026