Moses Ingram
{{Short description|American actress}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Moses Ingram
| image =
Moses Ingram at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
| caption = Ingram at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| partner =
| spouse =
| children =
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2018–present
| education =Baltimore City Community College (AA)
Yale University (MFA)
}}
Moses Ingram is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jolene in the Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit (2020). For this role, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Keith L. |date=February 25, 2021 |title='Queen's Gambit' actor Moses Ingram's unrelenting journey from West Baltimore to Hollywood |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/25/moses-ingram-baltimore-queens-gambit/ |url-access=limited |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=April 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210405050655/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/25/moses-ingram-baltimore-queens-gambit/ |url-status=live}}. She is also known for her role as Reva Sevander/the Third Sister in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022).
Early life and education
Ingram grew up in Baltimore{{Cite news |last=Ray-Harris |first=Ashley |date=December 31, 2020 |title=Moses Ingram Has The Answers To Your The Queen's Gambit Questions |work=Elle |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a35099561/moses-ingram-queens-gambit-interview/ |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126134011/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a35099561/moses-ingram-queens-gambit-interview/ |url-status=live}} in a blended family of six children; her mother worked at childcare and her stepfather worked in city operations. At age 10, her mother and a teacher at Windsor Hills Elementary enrolled her in an after-school theater program. She later attended the Baltimore School for the Arts,{{Cite news |last=Bjornson |first=Greta |date=October 26, 2020 |title=All About Moses Ingram, Jolene from 'The Queen's Gambit' Cast |work=Decider |url=https://decider.com/2020/10/26/moses-ingram-the-queens-gambit/ |access-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213150106/https://decider.com/2020/10/26/moses-ingram-the-queens-gambit/ |url-status=live}} graduating in 2012.{{Cite web |title=Moses Ingram '12 Talks about Her Time at BSA |url=https://www.bsfa.org/moses-ingram-12-talks-about-her-time-at-bsa |website=Baltimore School for the Arts |date=March 24, 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926163608/https://www.bsfa.org/moses-ingram-12-talks-about-her-time-at-bsa |url-status=live}}
Due to financial limitations, Ingram declined an offer to attend Howard University and enrolled at Baltimore City Community College in 2012. Although Baltimore City did not have a drama program, she was encouraged by her advisor to continue acting and audition for local plays. She also took on multiple part-time jobs and scholarships to fund her schooling. She graduated with an associate degree.
In 2015, she won a regional competition from the National Society of Arts and Letters, and finished fourth in the nationals. The winner of that competition, Jonathan Majors, encouraged her to audition for the Yale School of Drama. She was accepted with scholarship support and enrolled in the fall of 2016.
Before starting Yale, she renamed herself Moses, after the biblical figure. "So when we got to school [Yale] they wanted us to register our names because this is the first time they would be publicized so people can see them. And before I got to Yale I had, had such a time just trying to make things work that my name just didn’t feel suited. So I prayed and asked God, 'What is it? I know it's not my name now, but it is something.' And a few days later, I just heard Moses in my head and that was it."{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Andria |title=Moses Ingram on her Debut role as Jolene in "The Queen's Gambit" |date=November 30, 2020 |publisher=Motion Picture Association |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.motionpictures.org/2020/11/moses-ingram-on-her-debut-role-as-jolene-in-the-queens-gambit/ |access-date=31 May 2022 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531165039/https://www.motionpictures.org/2020/11/moses-ingram-on-her-debut-role-as-jolene-in-the-queens-gambit/ |url-status=live}}
She received a Princess Grace Award in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Two Yale students honored with Princess Grace Awards |url=https://news.yale.edu/2018/08/01/two-yale-students-honored-princess-grace-awards |website=YaleNews |date=August 1, 2018 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005130225/https://news.yale.edu/2018/08/01/two-yale-students-honored-princess-grace-awards |url-status=live}} In her final year at Yale, Ingram received rave reviews for her lead performance as Viola in an Afrocentric version of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.{{Cite web |title=Review "Twelfth Night" at Yale Repertory Theatre |url=https://www.onstageblog.com/reviews/2019/3/27/twelfth-night-at-yale-repertory-theatre |website=OnStage Blog |date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=July 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162643/https://www.onstageblog.com/reviews/2019/3/27/twelfth-night-at-yale-repertory-theatre |url-status=live}} She graduated with her Master of Fine Arts in June 2019.
Career
A month after commencement, she auditioned in New York City for a role in The Queen's Gambit and landed the role of Jolene, who is Beth's friend from the orphanage in the series. For her role, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.{{Cite news |last=Zornasa |first=Laura |date=August 25, 2021 |title=Moses Ingram Knows You Wanted More of Her in 'The Queen's Gambit' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/arts/television/emmy-awards-moses-ingram-queens-gambit.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921052028/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/arts/television/emmy-awards-moses-ingram-queens-gambit.html |url-status=live}}
Ingram next appeared in Peter Hedges' ensemble drama The Same Storm{{Cite news |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=September 3, 2021 |title=Peter Hedges On Bringing His Pandemic-Shot Zoom Drama 'The Same Storm' To Telluride Film Festival |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/director-peter-hedges-the-same-storm-telluride-1234827286/ |work=Deadline |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924225040/https://deadline.com/2021/09/director-peter-hedges-the-same-storm-telluride-1234827286/ |url-status=live}} and as Lady Macduff in Joel Coen's The Tragedy of Macbeth,{{Cite news |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Newcomer Moses Ingram Joins Denzel Washington in Joel Coen's 'Macbeth' |url=http://collider.com/denzel-washington-macbeth-movie-moses-ingram-cast/ |work=Collider |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610234651/https://collider.com/denzel-washington-macbeth-movie-moses-ingram-cast/ |url-status=live}} which premiered at the New York Film Festival in September 2021. In 2022, she appeared in Michael Bay's Ambulance,{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O'Donnell & Moses Ingram Join Michael Bay's 'Ambulance' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/ambulance-garret-dillahunt-a-martinez-keir-odonnell-queens-gambit-moses-ingram-michael-bay-movie-cast-1234678029/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122002031/https://deadline.com/2021/01/ambulance-garret-dillahunt-a-martinez-keir-odonnell-queens-gambit-moses-ingram-michael-bay-movie-cast-1234678029/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=February 13, 2021}} Noting her Emmy nomination and these roles, Variety named her one of ten actors to watch for 2021.{{Cite news |last=Riley |first=Jenelle |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Variety Announces 10 Actors to Watch for 2021 |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/features/10-actors-to-watch-2021-1235053336/ |work=Variety |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925004710/https://variety.com/2021/film/features/10-actors-to-watch-2021-1235053336/amp/ |url-status=live}}
Ingram appeared in the Disney+ Star Wars spin-off miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi as Reva Sevander / the Third Sister, an Inquisitor who works to hunt down surviving Jedi after Order 66. For her role as Reva Sevander in that series, Ingram received hundreds of direct messages on Instagram containing death threats and racist abuse which she revealed examples of on May 31, 2022. This prompted Disney and her colleagues, including Ewan McGregor, to defend her.{{cite web |last=Asmelash |first=Leah |date=June 1, 2022 |title='Star Wars' calls out racism after attacks on Moses Ingram |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/31/entertainment/moses-ingram-obi-wan-kenobi-racism-cec/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602002617/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/31/entertainment/moses-ingram-obi-wan-kenobi-racism-cec/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Star Wars stands with Obi-Wan Kenobi's Moses Ingram amid racist fan backlash |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/31/23148468/star-wars-obi-wan-moses-ingram-third-sister |website=The Verge |language=en |access-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601000344/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/31/23148468/star-wars-obi-wan-moses-ingram-third-sister |url-status=live}} McGregor, in a video posted to the official Star Wars social media accounts, called the abusive messages "horrendous" and said that "if you’re sending her bullying messages, you’re no Star Wars fan in my mind".{{cite web |last1=Cain |first1=Sian |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Disney and Ewan McGregor condemn 'horrendous' racism sent to Obi-Wan Kenobi star Moses Ingram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jun/01/disney-and-ewan-mcgregor-condemn-horrendous-racism-sent-to-obi-wan-kenobi-star-moses-ingram |website=The Guardian |access-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601184003/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jun/01/disney-and-ewan-mcgregor-condemn-horrendous-racism-sent-to-obi-wan-kenobi-star-moses-ingram |url-status=live}} For her performance in the miniseries, she received the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Television Series.
She next appeared in two Apple TV+ miniseries: Lady in the Lake opposite Natalie Portman, and The Big Cigar, starring André Holland.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Moses Ingram Joins Apple Limited Series Lady In The Lake, Replacing Lupita Nyong'o Alongside Natalie Portman |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/moses-ingram-apple-series-lady-in-the-lake-replacing-lupita-nyongo-1235051097/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=23 June 2022 |date=June 23, 2022 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929182241/https://deadline.com/2022/06/moses-ingram-apple-series-lady-in-the-lake-replacing-lupita-nyongo-1235051097/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Obi-Wan Kenobis Moses Ingram Joins Apple's Limited Series The Big Cigar As Recurring |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/obi-wan-kenobis-moses-ingram-joins-apple-limited-series-the-big-cigar-1235083614/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2 August 2022 |date=August 2, 2022 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802181748/https://deadline.com/2022/08/obi-wan-kenobis-moses-ingram-joins-apple-limited-series-the-big-cigar-1235083614/ |url-status=live}} In March 2023, she joined the cast of Joshua Oppenheimer's The End.{{cite web |last1=Goodfellow |first1=Melanie |title=Moses Ingram, Michael Shannon, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInerney & Lennie James Join Joshua Oppenheimer's Neon-Backed Musical The End |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/moses-ingram-michael-shannon-bronagh-gallagher-tim-mcinerney-lennie-james-joshua-oppenheimer-the-end-1235308218/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=March 23, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323162245/https://deadline.com/2023/03/moses-ingram-michael-shannon-bronagh-gallagher-tim-mcinerney-lennie-james-joshua-oppenheimer-the-end-1235308218/ |url-status=live}}
Filmography
{{Pending films key}}
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2021
| |
| The Same Storm
| Audre Robinson | |
| 2022
| Amy Sharp | |
| 2023
| All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt | Josie | |
| 2024
| The End | Girl | |
| {{Pending}}
| {{Pending film|Untitled Kathryn Bigelow film}} | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2020
| Jolene |Miniseries, main cast |
| 2022
| Reva Sevander/ | Miniseries, main cast |
| 2024
| Terresa Dixon | Miniseries, recurring role |
| 2024
| Cleo Sherwood | Miniseries, main cast |
=Theatre=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|9458718}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Moses Ingram
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ingram, Moses}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Baltimore
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University alumni