Parisa Fitz-Henley

Parisa Fitz-Henley is a Jamaican actress best known for her roles in American television and film. She gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Luke Cage's late wife, Reva Connors, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series for Netflix. Fitz-Henley has also held prominent roles in series such as *Midnight, Texas* and *The Sinner*, and starred opposite Matthew McConaughey in the film *The Free State of Jones*.

Early life and education

Parisa Fitz-Henley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and developed an early interest in the performing arts. She pursued her higher education at the University of the West Indies, Mona, where she studied and trained in theater. Following her undergraduate studies, she moved to the United States to further her acting career, initially residing in New York City before relocating to Los Angeles.

Career

Fitz-Henley began her professional acting career with guest roles on television series, including an appearance on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. Her breakout role came in 2016 when she was cast as Reva Connors in the first season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series *Luke Cage*, a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This role established her within the genre and led to further high-profile opportunities. In 2017, she was cast as a series regular, playing the psychic Fiji Cavanaugh on the NBC supernatural drama *Midnight, Texas*, based on the book series by Charlaine Harris. She later joined the cast of the USA Network anthology series *The Sinner* for its third season, playing the role of Leela Burns. Her film work includes a supporting role in the 2016 historical drama *The Free State of Jones*, directed by Gary Ross and starring Matthew McConaughey. She has also appeared in films such as *The Last Summer* and the independent feature *A Christmas Winter Song*.

Personal life

Parisa Fitz-Henley is married to actor J. August Richards, known for his roles in *Angel* and *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*; the couple wed in 2021. They have two children together. She maintains a connection to her Jamaican heritage and has spoken about the importance of representation for Caribbean actors in Hollywood.

Filmography

Film * The Free State of Jones (2016) as Ellen * A Christmas Winter Song (2019) as Lily * The Last Summer (2019) as Jean

Television * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2015) as Dr. Nadir * Luke Cage (2016) as Reva Connors * Midnight, Texas (2017–2018) as Fiji Cavanaugh * The Sinner (2020) as Leela Burns * The Good Doctor (2022) as Akita

Awards and nominations

For her performance in *Luke Cage*, Fitz-Henley and the cast were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2017. Her work continues to be recognized within the industry for bringing depth and nuance to a variety of characters across different genres.

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Jamaican actresses Category:Actresses from Kingston, Jamaica Category:University of the West Indies alumni