IN PROCESS: RUTH NEGGA

IN PROCESS: RUTH NEGGA

IN PROCESS: RUTH NEGGA

The recent Vanity Fair piece on Riley Keough’s IN PROCESS series is a timely reminder of the deep well of creativity thriving in Hollywood. While Keough’s exploration of artistic evolution promises to be captivating, it also begs us to turn our attention to an actress who consistently embodies the very essence of “process” through her transformative performances: the incomparable Ruth Negga. This past year, and looking ahead, Negga has solidified her position as one of the most compelling and versatile talents working today. Her choices are consistently bold, her portrayals deeply nuanced, and her impact on screen nothing short of profound.

Currently captivating audiences, Ruth Negga’s role as Barbara Sabich in Apple TV+’s PRESUMED INNOCENT is a standout. Starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, Negga delivers a performance that is a masterclass in controlled intensity and emotional depth. As the wife navigating the fallout of a shocking murder accusation, Negga deftly portrays the complexities of loyalty, suspicion, and personal grief. Her ability to convey so much with a subtle glance or a quiet word is a testament to her immense skill. It’s no surprise that she’s generating Emmy buzz for this role, initially even being considered for a lead submission, before shifting to supporting – a category where her impactful presence will undoubtedly be felt.

Last year, Negga showcased her range in Dan Levy’s directorial debut, GOOD GRIEF for Netflix. In this intimate exploration of loss and the enduring power of friendship, Negga, alongside Levy and Himesh Patel, navigates the messy, often contradictory emotions of grieving. Her portrayal of Sophie is grounded and deeply human, adding layers of authenticity to a story that resonates with anyone who has faced profound sorrow. It’s a testament to her ability to anchor a film with a quiet yet powerful presence.

While not strictly “recent” in the last 12 months, it’s impossible to discuss Ruth Negga’s impact without highlighting her utterly breathtaking performance as Clare Bellew in Rebecca Hall’s PASSING. This black-and-white film, exploring racial identity and self-discovery in 1920s New York, saw Negga deliver a tour-de-force. Her Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Best Supporting Actress, and her Independent Spirit Award win, speak volumes about the critical acclaim she garnered. Her performance was a delicate dance between vulnerability and defiance, capturing the inherent tragedy and societal pressures of her character’s existence.

The exciting news continues with Negga attached to star and executive produce the limited drama series JOSEPHINE a raw and unflinching look at the life of the legendary Jazz performer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker. This project promises to be a monumental undertaking, and there is no doubt Negga will bring her characteristic depth and power to this iconic role.

Ruth Negga doesn’t just act; she inhabits. Her commitment to her craft, her fearless exploration of complex characters, and her ability to evoke profound emotion are what truly set her apart. As we celebrate the “in process” journeys of artists like Riley Keough, let us also celebrate and champion the already accomplished and continuously evolving artistry of Ruth Negga – a true luminary of the screen whose work leaves an indelible mark.

🎬 CHRISTY from @sleeper.films hits different. 

This Cork story isn't your typical social realism - it's got heart, humor, and the kind of authentic brotherhood that'll stay with you long after the credits roll.

Out in Ireland/Northern Ireland Aug 29, watch the trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎰 Colin Farrell's career glow-up continues! 

From Oscar-nominations to the unrecognizable Penguin in THE BATMAN, and now as an obsessive gambler in Edward Berger's BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER.

Mark your calendars: @tiff_net premiere Sept 9, limited release Oct 15, Netflix Oct 29. 🔥

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* NEW TRAILER ALERT *

Cillian Muprhy's latest project STEVE premieres at Toronto Film Festival before hitting Netflix October 3rd. 

Murphy plays a reform school headteacher fighting to save his institution while battling his own demons—because this man never takes the easy route.

Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎬 HE'S BACK. After 8 years in "retirement," Daniel Day-Lewis returns to the screen in ANEMONE - and it's personal.

The three-time Oscar winner emerges from his artistic sabbatical for his most intimate project yet: a family drama he co-wrote with his son Ronan, who's making his directorial debut. 

World premiere at NYC Film Festival. October 3rd limited release. The legend continues. 🔥

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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📺 NEW TRAILER ALERT 📺

Premiering Aug 28, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun - based on @misterosman’s bestselling novel.

Visit irishfilmtv.com for more!

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🎭 LEGEND RETURNS TO THE STAGE 🎭

From Mad-Eye Moody to Uncle Pastuzo, Brendan Gleeson has captivated us on screen for decades. Now he's making his WEST END DEBUT in THE WEIR! Dublin first (Aug 8-Sep 6) then London's Harold Pinter Theatre (Sep 12-Dec 6).

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎭 From beloved DERRY GIRL to Chekhov star! 

Saoirse-Monica Jackson is trading the screen for the stage in Kabosh's bold new adaptation of THREE SISTERS at @gaiety_theatre.

Visit irishfilmtv.com for ticket links!

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Liam Neeson just crushed it as Frank Drebin Jr. in THE NAKED GUN and now he's diving headfirst into horror comedy with COLD STORAGE.

At 72, Neeson is still choosing the wildest projects and we're absolutely here for it. COLD STORAGE hits theaters next year! 

Watch the crazy trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

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NEW trailer alert! 🎬 From STAR WARS galaxies to Ohio newsrooms! 

Domhnall Gleeson is trading his General Hux uniform for editor-in-chief duties in THE PAPER - @peacock!'s brilliant new spin on THE OFFICE universe.

Premiering Sep 4, watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

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From the Scottish Highlands to the boxing ring 🥊✨

Caitriona Balfe trades tartan for training gloves in THE CUT, Sean Ellis' brutal psychological boxing drama.

Our OUTLANDER queen steps WAY outside her comfort zone as Caitlin - wife, trainer, and witness to Orlando Bloom's obsessed fighter spiraling toward self-destruction.

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎵 "Music to scare priests and politicians" 🎵

@celtic_utopia is shaking up everything you thought you knew about Irish folk music. This isn't your typical Celtic sound— it's raw, rebellious, and revolutionary.

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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DERRY GIRLS and GAME OF THRONES star Ian McElhinney hits the stage at @theeverymancork!

Running until Aug 10th - STONES IN HIS POCKETS has heart, humor, and a Hollywood ending that'll leave you grinning! 🎭

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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Hollywood heavyweights Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander as... otherworldly beings? 👀

Na Hong-jin is BACK! After 10 years since THE WAILING left us speechless, the master of psychological horror returns with HOPE - hitting theaters next summer!

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎬 From "I will find you" to "I will make you laugh" - Liam Neeson is trading his particular set of skills for punchlines in THE NAKED GUN!

Is this Neeson's Leslie Nielsen moment? Could we be witnessing the birth of comedy's newest unlikely hero? 

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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Andrew Scott's BLUE MOON trailer released!

Shot in Ireland, this Richard Linklater gem pairs Scott with Ethan Hawke for a 1943 Broadway drama that's already being called a masterpiece. Scott plays composer Richard Rodgers in what critics are calling his most nuanced performance yet 🎵

Watch trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

...

Irish Film

Ruth Negga honoured at Black Women in Hollywood Awards

Ruth Negga honoured

Ruth Negga honoured

As the crimson carpet unfurled Wednesday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood for the 97th Academy Awards, the entertainment world entered the final whirlwind of pre-Oscar festivities leading up to Sunday’s grand ceremony. Against this backdrop of anticipation, the 18th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards delivered a powerful celebration of Black women’s excellence in television and film on Thursday at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.

The star-studded gathering honored this year’s remarkable recipients: Cynthia Erivo, Teyana Taylor, Marla Gibbs, and Raamla Mohamed, drawing an impressive assembly of industry luminaries including our very own trailblazer, Ruth Negga. True to its theme “Scene and Unseen,” the event illuminated stories, performances, and contributions that often remain overlooked despite their profound impact on entertainment. Since its inception, these awards have recognized not only celebrated figures but also the unsung pioneers breaking barriers in Hollywood.

Among the distinguished attendees was Ruth Negga, whose journey exemplifies the diversity of paths to artistic excellence. Born in Addis Ababa in 1982 to an Irish mother and Ethiopian father, Negga’s early life was marked by tragedy when her father died in a car accident when she was just seven. After living in Ethiopia until age four, she relocated to Ireland, where her education eventually led her to Trinity College, Dublin, where she earned a BA in drama before immediately immersing herself in theater work.

Though nominated as “Most Promising Newcomer” at the 2003 Olivier Awards—an honor she playfully recalled missing by telling The Observer, “I stole the cutlery when I didn’t win”—Negga’s persistence led to roles in television series like LOVE IS THE DRUG and DOCTORS, followed by CAPITAL LETTERS in 2004. Her breakthrough came during an audition for Neil Jordan’s BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, so impressing the director that he altered the script to accommodate her talent. “I didn’t know much about her when she came to the casting,” Jordan remarked, “but the moment I saw her act, I decided to change the script so that she could appear in the movie.”

Today, Negga shares her London home with actor Dominic Cooper, known for MAMMA MIA!, whom she met while performing in the National Theatre’s PHEDRE in 2009. Her critically acclaimed performance in LOVING, portraying Mildred Loving alongside Joel Edgerton’s Richard, brought to life the courageous story of an interracial couple who married in 1958 despite Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws, resulting in their arrest and expulsion from the state—a powerful narrative that resonates with the ESSENCE Awards’ commitment to making the unseen seen.

As the fashion-forward attendees of the ESSENCE ceremony prepare to grace the upcoming Oscar celebration, their stunning ensembles offer a tantalizing preview of Sunday’s style spectacle, promising that the culmination of awards season will be as visually magnificent as it is culturally significant. The convergence of these events underscores Hollywood’s evolving recognition of diverse voices and stories, creating moments of celebration that ripple far beyond the red carpet.

Irish Film

Ruth Negga in TELL ME MORE

Ruth Negga in TELL MOE MORE

Ruth Negga in TELL MOE MORE

Ruth Negga, acclaimed for her role in the 2021 film PASSING, is now featuring in a new short film titled TELL ME MORE. The project, filmed in Paris during the pre-Christmas period, is a collaboration with fashion house Patou. Negga appears alongside Pauline Chalamet (who also produces), French-Swiss actress Irène Jacob, and Lily Taïeb (known for THE FRENCH DISPATCH).

Following PASSING, Negga appeared in PRESUMED INNOCENT (2024), an Apple TV+ limited series adaptation of Scott Turow’s novel, where she starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

Earlier noteworthy films in her career included LOVING (2016), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and AD ASTRA (2019) where she appeared alongside Brad Pitt.

In TELL ME MORE, Negga can be seen wearing pieces from Patou’s fall 2025 collection, with costume designer Pauline Jacquard blending these new items with pieces from previous seasons. The film will be released in three installments, with the trailer dropping on social media and Patou’s website.

 

Irish Film

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Negga returns to London stage

Ruth Negga in QUIET SONGS

Ruth Negga in QUIET SONGS

Ruth Negga’s return to the London stage marks a significant moment in her theatrical journey. The 43-year-old Ethiopian-Irish actor is set to star in the Barbican’s world premiere of QUIET SONGS in The Pit, where she’ll portray a teenage “Boy” in an experimental production featuring a unique blend of string quartet and sword-based instrumentation.

Her stage work has consistently demonstrated her willingness to challenge theatrical conventions, particularly in gender-fluid casting. A standout moment in her theatre career came with her acclaimed performance in the title role of HAMLET, directed by Yaël Farber at Dublin’s Gate Theatre in 2018, which later transferred to New York. Her most recent stage triumph was on Broadway, where she earned a Tony nomination for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth opposite Daniel Craig in 2022.

While Negga has achieved considerable success in film, including an Oscar nomination for LOVING (2016), her commitment to theatre has remained steadfast. Particularly drawn to unconventional roles, she embraces the artistic freedom that stage work offers. Her choice to perform in the intimate space of The Pit, despite her high-profile status, demonstrates her dedication to challenging theatrical experiences over commercial considerations.

Throughout her stage career, Negga has consistently pushed against traditional casting boundaries. Her approach to gender in performance is deeply thoughtful, rooted in her belief in exploring the internal worlds of characters regardless of their gender identity. This philosophy has shaped her theatrical choices and contributed to her reputation as one of theatre’s most versatile performers.

Irish Film

Ruth Negga streaming now

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga

PASSING star Ruth Negga has had a busy year shooting major projects for the big streaming platforms. The Irish actress can now be seen in both PRESUMED INNOCENT and GOOD GRIEF. PRESUMED INNOCENT tells the story of a horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys’ office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. GOOD GRIEF is a heartwarming tale of love and loss, with Negga shining as Sophie, the kind of friend we all need in times of need.

Good Grief Trailer

Ruth Negga in PRESUMED INNOCENT

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga

GOOD GRIEF star Ruth Negga will appear alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming Apple TV+ show, PRESUMED INNOCENT. A trailer for the show has been released – the crime series is based on the eponymous 1987 New York Times bestselling novel by Scott Turow and tells the story of a prosecutor suspected of the murder of one of his colleagues. The series will premiere June 12th.

Watch Trailer

Ruth Negga in GOOD GRIEF

Ruth Negga

PASSING star Ruth Negga returns to Netflix in SCHITT’S CREEK star Dan Levy’s directorial debut GOOD GRIEF. When his husband unexpectedly dies, Marc’s (LEVY) world shatters, sending him and his two best friends on a soul-searching trip to Paris that reveals some hard truths they each needed to face. GOOD GRIEF premieres on Netflix on Jan 5th 2024.

Watch Trailer

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Ruth Negga in AD ASTRA

Ruth Negga

Irish actor/producer Ruth Negga has built a solid career through powerful performances of incredible women. You can now watch her in AD ASTRA, alongside Hollywood legend Brat Pitt in which she plays Helen Lantos. The sci-fi film follows an astronaut who ventures into space in search of his lost father, whose obsessive quest to discover intelligent alien life at all costs threatens the Solar System and all life on Earth.

Watch Now

Irish Film

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