Brandee Evans

Brandee Evans
Born (1985-06-02) June 2, 1985 (age 39)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present

Brandee Evans (born June 2, 1985)[1] is an American actress and former choreographer, best known for her leading role as Mercedes Woodbine in the Starz drama series, P-Valley.

Life and career

Evans was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother suffers from multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's.[2] Before her acting career, she worked as a high school English teacher.[2] She began her acting career playing supporting roles in films including Beyond the Lights (2014), and appearing on TV miniseries The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. As a backup dancer, Evans appears with pop singer Katy Perry in 2010 with the music video of California Gurls as "Bubblegum Girl".

In 2020, Evans began starring as Mercedes Woodbine in the Starz drama series, P-Valley. She received positive reviews from critics for her performance.[3][4][5][6][7] She was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2021 and 2023.[8][9] In 2023, she starred in the female stoner comedy film, Pretty Stoned.[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Note to Self Sorority Girl
2014 Black Coffee Shea
Beyond the Lights Dancer
2019 Dear Santa, I Need a Date Michelle Television film
2021 B-Boy Blues Michi
A Rich Christmas Carolyn
2022 Rolling Into Christmas Celeste Franks Television film
2023 Pretty Stoned Tick-Tock
2024 The Fabulous Four Leslie
TBA Thirsty Maya King

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2016 East Los High Guest Episode: "Caliente!"
2017 The New Edition Story Soul Train Producer Episode: "Part 2"
2018 Lethal Weapon Nurse Episode: "Diggin' Up Dirt"
The Bobby Brown Story Tina Brown Episode: "Part 1 & 2"
2019 Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Makeup Artist Episode: "The Rhy Chromosome"
Games People Play Cinnamon Episode: "The Wrath of Grapes"
2020–22 The Family Business Sage Recurring role, 6 episodes
2020–present P-Valley Mercedes Woodbine Main cast

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2021 Women's Image Network Awards Women's Image Network Award for Outstanding Actress Drama Series P-Valley Won
NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
Black Reel Awards Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress, Drama Series Nominated
2023 NAACP Image Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
Black Reel Awards Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Brandee Evans - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  2. ^ a b Moore, Camille (July 13, 2020). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Brandee Evans". TVOvermind.
  3. ^ "P-Valley's Brandee Evans Was Made for a Life of Stardom". W Magazine. July 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Young, Taiia Smart. "'P-Valley's' Brandee Evans Says Playing Mercedes Was Meant For Her".
  5. ^ "'P-Valley' Star Brandee Evans Doesn't Need Your Validation". ELLE. July 13, 2020.
  6. ^ ""P-Valley" Star Brandee Evans Brings Legit Dance Chops to the Show". Dance Magazine. September 3, 2020.
  7. ^ "'P-Valley' Star Brandee Evans Recalls Wild Night of Strip Club Research". The Hollywood Reporter. August 2, 2020.
  8. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 2, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With 'Bridgerton', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' & 'Da 5 Bloods'".
  9. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (January 12, 2023). "NAACP Image Award Nominations: Abbott Elementary Leads the TV Pack".
  10. ^ Fishman, Scott (April 18, 2023). "Brandee Evans Gets High on New MTV Stoner Comedy 'Pretty Stoned'". TV Insider.