Amara Okereke, born Amarachi Weruche A. Okereke on November 27, 1996, is a celebrated Nigerian-English actress renowned for her captivating stage presence and groundbreaking roles. She made history as the first Black actress to portray Eliza Doolittle in the West End revival of My Fair Lady, solidifying her status as a rising star in theatre and film.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Amarachi Weruche A. Okereke |
| Date of Birth | 27 November 1996 |
| Place of Birth | North Tyneside, England |
| Nationality | British (of Nigerian heritage) |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer (Musical Theatre) |
| Net Worth | N/A |
Early Life and Education
Born in North Tyneside to Nigerian parents working in medicine, Okereke spent her formative years in Adel, Leeds.
She attended the Grammar School at Leeds and honed her craft with the National Youth Music Theatre. Initially drawn to medicine, she pivoted to pursue acting, graduating with a BA in Musical Theatre from London’s ArtsEd in 2018.
Career
Okereke’s professional debut came in 2012 as Cassie in 13 at London’s Apollo Theatre. Post-graduation, she gained acclaim as Cosette in Les Misérables (2018–2019), earning The Stage Debut Award for Best Actress.
Standout roles followed, including Laurie in Oklahoma! (2019), Polly Browne in The Boy Friend (2019), and Wendla in Spring Awakening (2021). Her 2022 portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady earned her a Black British Theatre Award.
On screen, she debuted as Becky Fox in BBC Three’s Red Rose (2022) and stars as Nina Morgan in The Morning After (2024), with a role in the 2025 film In the Lost Lands.
Personal Life
Okereke credits her family, particularly her mother, for unwavering support. Preferring privacy, she avoids social media and nurtures hobbies like drawing and animation. Her Nigerian heritage remains a cornerstone of her identity.
Amara Okereke Net Worth
Exact figures are undisclosed, but her leading West End roles and expanding screen presence indicate a flourishing career with significant financial success.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Red Rose | Becky Fox | TV series |
| 2024 | The Morning After | Nina Morgan | Main role |
| 2025 | In the Lost Lands | Melange | Feature film |
| 2022 | Jitterbug (Short) | Afeni Omolade | |
| 2020 | Sucka Punch (Short) | Sarah |
Stage
| Year | Production | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 | Cassie | Apollo Theatre |
| 2018–2019 | Les Misérables | Cosette | Queen’s Theatre |
| 2019 | Oklahoma! | Laurie | Chichester Festival Theatre |
| 2019 | The Boy Friend | Polly Browne | Menier Chocolate Factory |
| 2021 | Spring Awakening | Wendla | Almeida Theatre |
| 2022 | My Fair Lady | Eliza Doolittle | London Coliseum |
| 2022 | The Light in the Piazza | Clara Johnson | Alexandra Palace Theatre |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Stage Debut Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Les Misérables | Won |
| 2019 | Black British Theatre Awards | Recent Graduate | — | Won |
| 2022 | Black British Theatre Awards | Outstanding Performance (Musical) | My Fair Lady | Won |
