Mecia Simson

{{Infobox person

| image = Stuttgart 2022 -Comic Con Germany- Mecia Simson - by-RaBoe 004 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Simson at the 2022 Comic-Con Germany Stuttgart

| birth_name = Mecia Simone Simson

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|12|29|df=y}}

| birth_place = Plymouth, England

| alma_mater = Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts

| occupation =

| years_active = 2009–present

}}

Mecia Simone Simson ({{respell|MEE|shə}}; born 29 December 1989) is an English actress and model. She won the fifth series of Britain's Next Top Model (2009). More recently, she is known for her role as Francesca Findabair in the Netflix series The Witcher (2021–).

Early life and education

Simson was born in Plymouth to an English mother and a Jamaican father. She attended Dunstone Primary School, Plymstock School, and City College Plymouth.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/netflix-star-mecia-simson-describes-8564956|title=Netflix star Mecia Simson describes 'unbelievable' experience on set of The Witcher|journal=Plymouth Herald|first=Sarah|last=Elmes|date=1 July 2023|accessdate=15 October 2023}} After taking a year-long foundation course at the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2016, Simson went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://thewitcher.tv/cast/secondary-cast/270-mecia-simson-francesca-findabair|title=Mecia Simson - Francesca Finabair|website=The Witcher TV|date=17 December 2021|accessdate=15 October 2023}}

Career

At the age of 19, Simson competed in and won the fifth series of the Sky Living reality television competition Britain's Next Top Model in 2009. Shortly after winning, she landed her first cover photoshoot for the magazine Company.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/britain-s-next-top-model-mecia-simson-makes-cover-debut-6796347.html|title=Britain's Next Top Model Mecia Simson makes cover debut|journal=Evening Standard|date=7 July 2009|accessdate=24 December 2021}} She went on to have gigs with Stella McCartney, Max Factor,{{Cite web|url=https://models.com/work/max-factor-christmas-holiday-advertising|title=Max Factor Christmas Holiday 2010 (with model Mecia Simson)|website=Models|date=December 2010|accessdate=16 October 2023}} and Debenhams,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2023/06/28/mecia-simson/|title=Exclusive Interview with "The Witcher" star, Mecia Simson|journal=Wonderland|date=28 June 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}} and appear in the Olly Murs music video "Oh My Goodness". In 2014, Simson was a finalist on the Beverly Hills-filmed series Model Turned Superstar.{{Cite journal|url=https://issuu.com/marketingswmg/docs/pl_mag_november_2014|title=Mecia goes to Hollywood|journal=PL Magazine|date=28 October 2014|accessdate=16 October 2023|page=6}} She was previously signed with Milk London and Q New York,{{Cite journal|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/britains-next-top-model-2016-10731774|title=Britain's Next Top Model 2016 is back tonight but where are the previous winners now?|journal=Wales Online|first=Georgia|last=Morgan|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=16 October 2023}} and is currently signed with Established Models.{{Cite web|url=https://www.establishedmodels.com/women/1237-mecia-simson/card/|title=Mecia Simson|website=Established Models|accessdate=24 December 2021}}

After graduating from drama school, Simson made a guest appearance in an episode of the Peacock science fiction series Brave New World in 2020. The following year, Simson joined the main cast of the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher for its second season as the elven sorceress Francesca Findabair.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-witcher-season-two-elves-plight-future.html|title=The Elves Just Can't Catch a Break|first=Roxana|last=Hadadi|date=21 December 2021|website=Vulture}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.countryandtownhouse.com/culture/mecia-simson-interview/|title='The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever': Mecia Simson On The Witcher Season 3|journal=Country & Town House|author=Olivia Emily|date=12 June 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.revamp-magazine.co.uk/mecia-simson|title=Mecia Simson|journal=ReVamp|first=Owen James|last=Vincent|date=30 June 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}}

Personal life

Simson moved to London for her career and as of 2023, is based in Hornsey.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/where-to-live/area-guide-hornsey-actor-mecia-simson-lively-community-north-london-b1084858.html|title=Area guide to Hornsey: actor Mecia Simson on the charms of this lively, community-centred part of north London|journal=Evening Standard|first=Emma|last=Magnus|date=2 June 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}} She also regularly visits her family in Plymouth.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/plymouth-vegan-restaurant-netflix-star-8570225|title=Plymouth vegan restaurant is Netflix star Mecia Simson's favourite place to eat|journal=Plymouth Herald|first=Sarah|last=Elmes|date=3 July 2023|accessdate=16 October 2023}}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2009 \| Britain's Next Top Model \| Herself – Winner \| Series 5
2014 \| Model Turned Superstar \| Herself – Finalist \|
2015 \|The Hunt \| Laura \| Miniseries
2015 \| He Who Has It All \| Mel \| Short film
2020 \| Brave New World \| Alpha Woman One \| Episode: "Firefall"
2021–present \| The Witcher \| Francesca Findabair \| Main role (season 2–)
2022 \| My Sad, Angry Man \| Dr Idida \| Short film

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2009

| Britain's Next Top Model

| Herself – Winner

| Series 5

2014

| Model Turned Superstar

| Herself – Finalist