Quick Facts
Biography
Kiandra Layne (born December 10, 1991) is an American actress. She is known for her breakthrough performance in the 2018 drama film If Beale Street Could Talk. She is also known for Native Son (2019), and The Old Guard (2020).
Biography
Layne is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned a BFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2014.
Her first acting role was with Lena Waithe in the pilot for the show The Chi, which was shot in 2015. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Layne says she was always acting growing up and that her favorite movie as a child was The Lion King. She said, "I used to watch it every day and create these extravagant stories with my Barbies and stuffed animals."
She has modeled for the fashion brand, Kate Spade New York.
Layne's breakout role was in Barry Jenkins' 2018 drama If Beale Street Could Talk. She starred in the screen adaptation of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel Native Son, then alongside Charlize Theron in The Old Guard, which was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Veracity | Olivia | Short film |
| 2016 | Chicago Med | Emmie Miles | Episode: "Soul Care" |
| 2018 | If Beale Street Could Talk | Tish Rivers | Nominated—Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated—Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor Nominated—Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble |
| 2019 | Native Son | Bessie | |
| Captive State | Carrie | ||
| The Staggering Girl | Adut | Short film | |
| 2020 | The Old Guard | Nile Freeman | |
| Coming 2 America | Meeka Joffer | Post-production |
