28 Days Of Black Women In Horror: Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Jurnee Smollett-Bell (1986- )

True Blood (2013-2014)

Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, with her most significant regular role being on On Our Own (1994–95). She received critical acclaim and a Critic's Choice Award for playing title role in the 1997 independent drama film Eve's Bayou. In adult age, Smollett-Bell has starred in films and roles on number of television series, include playing the leading role as Rosalee, the house slave, in the WGN America period drama Underground. Smollett-Bell has been active in HIV/AIDS causes since she was 11. She spoke at the Ryan White Youth Conference. She is also on the Board of Directors of Artists for a New South Africa, an organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Board of Directors for the Children’s Defense Fund. (Source)

About Nicole Wright on True Blood (2013-2014)

In case anyone who was a fan of True Blood kind of missed Jurnee's character's name (Nicole Wright) because the final season was an absolute mess, some of us do remember her as the gal that became Sam Merlotte's 'the one.' The series was a big metaphorical ball about acceptance and resistance, so naturally, Nicole steps in as a human ally supernatural folks like Sam didn't ask for. But her sweet optimism and stubbornness wins Sam over. And it didn't hurt that she is beautiful and balances his volatile nature. I thought it quaint when the show ended with their relationship strong and in tact.

Of course, Jurnee has always been bright and extremely talented. She gave an award-winning performance as Eve Batiste in Eve's Bayou (1997).

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