Amma Asante

Amma Asante MBE (born 13 September 1969) is a British filmmaker, screenwriter, former actress, and Chancellor at Norwich University of the Arts. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, her entrée into the film industry began with an early role in BBC's children's television drama series Grange Hill. Asante later wrote and produced the 1998 BBC Two television series Brothers and Sisters. One of her notable acquaintances from childhood is model Naomi Campbell. Asante was born in Lambeth, London, to a mother who was an entrepreneur owning her own African cosmetics and grocery shop, and an accountant father. She got her early training in dance and drama at the Barbara Speake Stage School in Acton. Her acting credits include Desmond's (Channel 4), Birds of a Feather (BBC 1), and others. She also had one year experience as a Children's Channel presenter. Asante started working in screenwriting, under a development deal from Chrysalis, after her stint in acting. Her early accomplishments include launching the production company, Tantrum Films, and writing and producing two series of the BBC Two drama Brothers and Sisters (1998). Her directorial debut with A Way of Life (2004) through Tantrum Films was a noteworthy event in her career. She launched her second feature film, Belle (2013), a historical romance. Asante also directed A United Kingdom (2016), a period piece based on the interracial romance between Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams. She has also directed an episode of Hulu streaming service's series The Handmaid's Tale. Asante is set to direct a film adaptation of the book The Billion Dollar Spy. Aside from her successful career in film and television, her service to the film industry has been recognized with the honor of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours.