Sheila Atim (born January 1, 1991 )is a Ugandan-British actress, Model, singer, composer, and dramatist who debuted in 2013 at Shakespeare’s Globe. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical in 2018 for her performance in Girl from the North Country. She won another Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lead Actress in 2022 for her work in Constellations. Sheila has also written music for several companies and has appeared in various television shows, including Bruised on Netflix in 2021, produced and directed by Halle Berry.
Early Life & Education
Sheila, born in Uganda around 1991, migrated to the UK with her mother when she was just five months old. Growing up in Rainham, London, she attended the Coopers’ Company and Coborn School. At the age of a teenager, she started modeling after being discovered with her shaved head for a school prom. In 2009, she performed at All Walks Beyond the Catwalk, a London Fashion Week event organized by the British Fashion Council to promote garments for “Actual Women.”
However, modeling was never her primary source of income, as she couldn’t apply for commercial castings due to her unique appearance.
In 2015, Sheila made her on-screen debut with a role in the adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. In 2018, she played Limehouse Nell in ITV’s Harlots. Besides acting, Sheila is also an excellent musician who can play various instruments, including drums, bass, violin, and piano. In 2019, she created the music for Time Is Love, a production at London’s Finborough Theatre.
Sheila‘s acting career continued to flourish, and in 2020, she appeared in Agatha Christie‘s The Pale Horse, a BBC production. She also joined the casts of The Underground Railroad, The Irregulars, and Bruised that year. Recently, Sheila was cast in the historical drama The Woman King alongside John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, and Viola Davis, set to release in 2022.
Career
Sheila Atim is an exceptional talent who has combined her passion for science with her artistic pursuits in music and acting. She earned her degree in biomedical science from King’s College London, but her love for the stage ultimately led her to pursue a career in the arts.
Sheila‘s acting journey began at the Weekend Arts Centre in Belsize Park, London. Her acting coach Ché Walker discovered her during a workshop for the new play The Lightning Child, leading to her professional stage debut at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2013. In an interview with King’s College alum magazine in 2020, she noted the connections between her scientific and creative sides, with her scientific training impacting her approach to the rehearsal room.
The Lightning Child, a musical play by Walker and Arthur Darvill, received mixed reviews. The Financial Times called it a “daring experiment, but unhappily not a successful one,” The Guardian described it as “oddly traditional and pointlessly overdone.” Despite its flaws, The Independent found it hard not to like the show.
Sheila‘s talents go beyond acting, as she is skilled in playing several musical instruments, including the piano, violin, bass, and drums. In 2019, she composed the music for Time Is Love, a play performed at London’s Finborough Theatre. She appeared in numerous television shows and films, including the BBC version of Agatha Christie’s The Pale Horse and the Netflix series The Irregulars, The Underground Railroad, and Bruised, all in 2020.
In recognition of her contributions to drama, Sheila received an MBE in June 2019. She serves on The Old Vic Theatre Trust’s board of trustees.
Filmography
- The lightning child
- Ghost Town
- Klook’s Last
- Stand
- Rachel
- Hopelessly Devoted
- I Live with Models
- The Jew of Malta
- Love’s Sacrifice
- Volpone
- The Etienne Sisters
- Twelfth Night
- Les Blancs
- Shakespeare Trilogy: The Tempest
- Shakespeare Trilogy: Henry IV
- Shakespeare Trilogy: Julius Caesar
- Black Lives Black Words – The Interrogation of Sandra Bland
- Babette’s Feast
- Girl from the North Country
- Othello
- Harlots
- Bounty Hunters
- The Feed
- Time is love / Tiempo Es Amor
- Anguis
- The Pale Horse
- Sulphur and White
- Bruised
- The Show
- Constellations
- The Irregulars
- The Underground Railroad
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Pinocchio
- The Woman King
Personal Life
Sheila‘s roots can be traced back to Uganda, where she was born with her mother before relocating to the United Kingdom at a very young age. Still, her father chose to remain in Uganda, leading to a severed relationship.
Growing up in Rainham, Essex, Sheila experienced racial discrimination and bullying as one of the few black girls in the area. Despite these challenges, her mother worked tirelessly in health services to provide for their family.
Sheila has chosen to keep her family details private, including information about any siblings. As for her personal life, Sheila has not publicly disclosed whether she is married or in a relationship. If any new information arises, we will keep you updated.
Sheila Atim stands tall at approximately 5 feet and 11 inches, making her quite noticeable
Social Media
- Instagram @ sheilaatim
- Twitter @Atim_sa
Net Worth
Sheila‘s estimated net worth is between $3 million and $5 million.