Florence Kasumba (born 26 October 1976) is a Ugandan-born German actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Ayo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the films Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). She is also known for her acting in German and Dutch films. She played Senator Acantha in Wonder Woman (2017), Shenzi in The Lion King (2019), and the Wicked Witch of the East in the NBC television series Emerald City (2017).
Early life Florence Kasumba was born on 26 October 1976 in Kampala, Uganda. She spent her childhood in Essen, Germany, where she attended elementary school and high school. After watching the musical Starlight Express at the age of 12, she was inspired to become a performer. She earned her degree in acting, singing, and dancing from Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Kasumba is fluent in German, English, and Dutch. She resides in Berlin, Germany.
Career While she was still studying in college, Kasumba landed her first professional film role, Silke, in the Dutch motion picture hit Ik ook van jou. After graduating from college, she performed in many musicals, such as Chicago, The Lion King, Cats, West Side Story, Evita, and Beauty and the Beast. Florence Kasumba travelled to New York City and was cast in the title role in Germany's premiere production of Elton John's international hit musical Aida. She also played Lisa in Germany's premiere cast of Mamma Mia.
Kasumba has appeared in a variety of Dutch, German and English language films and television series.
Kasumba made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the 2016 film Captain America: Civil War. Her role was credited as a security guard for Black Panther, and she received widespread praise for her brief scene in which she threatens Black Widow by ordering her to "Move or you will be moved." Kasumba reprised the character, Ayo, a member of the all-female Dora Milaje fighting squad, in the Black Panther solo film, Avengers: Infinity War, and the streaming series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
She played Senator Acantha in 2017's Wonder Woman and the Wicked Witch of the East in the NBC television series Emerald City. She splits her time between U.S. and German film and TV productions.
In 2019, Kasumba landed the character of Shenzi in the animated remake, The Lion King (2019) directed by Jon Favreau, alongside Keegan-Michael Key and Eric André as Ed and Banzai
Awards and nominations She was nominated for the Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television & Arts Award for International Rising Star in 2016, against Lupita Nyong'o, John Boyega and Lisa Awuku. Kasumba appeared alongside Nyong'o in Black Panther.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 2001 I Love You Too Silke Ruud van Hemert 2006 The Stoning Nilophé Harald Holzenleiter 2012 Transpapa Tessi Sarah-Judith Mettke 2014 Age of Cannibals Florence Johannes Naber 2016 Skuld Florian Schnell Captain America: Civil War Ayo Anthony & Joe Russo Cameo; Credited "Security Chief" How Men Talk About Women Sabine Henrik Regel 2017 Wonder Woman Senator Acantha Patty Jenkins Arthur & Claire Maitre Miguel Alexandre 2018 Black Panther Ayo Ryan Coogler Avengers: Infinity War Anthony & Joe Russo Mute Tanya Duncan Jones 2019 The Lion KingShenzi La Hyène Jon Favreau (voice) 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Ayo Ryan CooglerA Midsummer Night's DreamHippolytaSacha Bennett2023NatalieLea Becker
Television Year Title Role Notes 2006–2016 Tatort Various 7 episodes 2007 Die Familienanwältin Mboose Thallert Four Women and a Funeral Freedom 2010 Vienna Crime Squad Mira Wiesinger 2012 Das Vermächtnis der Wanderhure Alika TV movie 2013 Großstadtrevier Sisi Ngoro Der letzte Bulle Denise Mokaba In aller Freundschaft Imani Kutesa 2014 The Quest Talmuh 10 episodes 2015 Es kommt noch besser Doctor TV movie Letzte Spur Berlin Madame Manyong Episode: "Abseitsfalle" Dominion Daria 3 episodes 2016–2017 Emerald City East 3 episodes 2017 Dr. Klein Grace Kahindi-Bäumer Episode: "Pläne" 2018 Alarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei FBI Agent Karen Morris Episode: "Most Wanted" Deutschland 86 Rose Seithathi 10 episodes 2019–2024 Tatort Anaïs Schmitz5 episodes 2019 Criminal: Germany Antje Borchert 3 episodes 2020 Officer Nique Navar 8 episodesDeutschland 89Rose SeithathiBlind ermittelt - Zerstörte TräumeSolveig SchachnerTV movie 2021 The Falcon and the Winter SoldierAyo3 episodesMarvel Studios: AssembledHerselfDocumentary; Episode: "Assembled: The Making of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"KitzRegine Forsell5 episodes2022Cold Case HistoryHerselfDocumentary; 6 Episodes2023Kizazi Moto: Generation FireKatono (voice)Episode: "Herderboy"
References
External links
Official Website Florence Kasumba at the German Dubbing Card Index