Amma Asante
Amma Asante is a British filmmaker, screenwriter, former actress, and, since 2019, chancellor at Norwich University of the Arts. She first appeared in the BBC children's television drama series Grange Hill, and later wrote and produced the 1998 BBC Two television series Brothers and Sisters, starring David Oyelowo. She is known for directing the feature films A Way of Life (2004); Belle (2013); and A United Kingdom (2016), also starring Oyelowo.
Amma Asante

MiamiFilmFestival · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Name
- Amma Asante
- Birthplace
- Lambeth, London, England
- Occupation
- * Screenwriter
- Education
- Barbara Speake Stage School
- Spouse
- Søren Pedersen
- Born
- 1969 · London Borough of Lambeth.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom
- Honours
- OkayAfrica 100 Women · Member of the Order of the British Empire
- Languages
- English
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Amma Asante is a British filmmaker, screenwriter, former actress, and, since 2019, chancellor at Norwich University of the Arts. She first appeared in the BBC children's television drama series Grange Hill, and later wrote and produced the 1998 BBC Two television series Brothers and Sisters, starring David Oyelowo. She is known for directing the feature films A Way of Life (2004); Belle (2013); and A United Kingdom (2016), also starring Oyelowo.
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Amma Asante (born 1969) is an actor, actress and film director, among other activities, of British nationality. The actor was born in London Borough of Lambeth. Amma Asante was educated at Barbara Speake Stage School.
Languages used include English. Honours include Member of the Order of the British Empire and OkayAfrica 100 Women.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 29 September 2026
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wikidata · Q4747087 · wikipedia · Amma Asante
In this article
Biography
Biography
On television, she directed two episodes of season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale in 2019, and is co-creator, writer, and director of the internationally co-produced TV crime drama series Smilla's Sense of Snow, premiering on Australian television on 30 July 2025.

Amma Asante Belle
Ross from hamilton on, Canada · Amma Asante Belle

Amma Asante Belle
Ross from hamilton on, Canada · Amma Asante Belle
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Amma Asante • Honorific Suffix — MBE • Birthplace — Lambeth, London, England • Occupation — * Screenwriter • film director • actress • Education — Barbara Speake Stage School • Years Active — 1986–present • Spouse — Søren Pedersen • Notable Works — * A Way of Life (2004) • Belle (2013) • A United Kingdom (2016) • Website — www.ammaasante.com
Early life and education
Early life and education
Amma Asante was born in Lambeth, London, to Ghanaian parents: her mother was an entrepreneur who owned her own African cosmetics and grocery shop, and her accountant father received qualifications to work in the United Kingdom. She was a childhood friend of model Naomi Campbell, whom she met when they were seven years old. Asante attended the Barbara Speake Stage School in Acton, where she trained in dance and drama. The school gave her the opportunity of drafting her first sitcom script.
Acting
Acting
Asante became a child actress and made her first appearances on television in Grange Hill and Desmond's.
Writing and directing
Writing and directing
In her late teens, Asante left acting and worked in screenwriting with a development deal from Chrysalis. She founded a production company, Tantrum Films, where she wrote and produced two series of the BBC Two drama Brothers and Sisters (1998). Asante has since developed film projects in both the UK and US. Asante used Tantrum Films to make her directorial debut with a feature film, A Way of Life (2004). It was developed and financed through the UK Film Council and was produced by Peter Edwards, Patrick Cassavetti and Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award winner Charlie Hanson. A Way of Life focused on the life of a single mother, played by Stephanie James. It details the reality of a woman who recounts the suicidal death of her mother and the presence of foster care. It also introduces her brother Gavin, played by Nathan Jones, who was also taken into foster care. As a young 17-year-old, Leigh Anne (Stephanie James) finds it difficult to get by, especially due to the medical expenses that her daughter Eli Williams incurred. The film also touches on the theme of cultural conflict, involving their neighbour Hassan Osman (played by Oliver Haden), who had been the victim of a beating, after being accused of reporting Leigh Anne to social services for child neglect. The film has been described as "one of the most warmly received UK titles in the London Film Festival in the autumn and a harrowing drama in social realist mode". On 17 January 2005, The Times said of Asante: "She is one of the most exciting prospects in British cinema to emerge in the past 12 months." Her second feature film, Belle (2013), is an historical romance. The film is based on Dido Elizabeth Belle, and depicts an illegitimate mixed-race daughter of an enslaved African woman and a Royal Navy captain. He placed the girl into the care of his uncle (and Belle's great-uncle) Lord Mansfield and his wife in late 18th-century London. In this film, Dido was being raised by a white aristocratic family and acquired many intellectual skills. She uses her personal experiences to debate the social and structural issues of her time, such as gender roles and abolitionism. Dido's role in the film has been said to be "a way that is usually denied to historical black women". The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the eponymous lead character, Dido Belle, Tom Wilkinson as Lord Mansfield, who as a justice, ruled on two important cases related to slavery; Emily Watson as his wife and Miranda Richardson, Sarah Gadon, Tom Felton, and Sam Reid. Belle was the third project to receive investment from Pinewood Studios as part of its Pinewood Films initiative, established to help fund and support British independent films. The film was shot on location in the Isle of Man, London and Oxford. It was distributed through Fox Searchlight Pictures. A special screening of Belle, attended by Asante and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 2 April 2014, as part of the UN commemorative events on slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. In January 2014, it was announced that Asante would direct a thriller, Unforgettable, for Warner Bros. but she eventually left the project, announcing in March 2015 that she would instead be directing A United Kingdom, a period piece based on the interracial romance between the first president of Botswana, Seretse Khama, and his wife Ruth Williams. The film A United Kingdom, which Asante directed in 2016, features David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike portraying the main protagonists of the real-life story, who marry, and with the coming independence of Bechuanaland, decide to move back there, despite British opposition to their relationship. A United Kingdom is based on the 2006 book by historian Susan Williams entitled Colour Bar: The Triumph of Seretse Khama and His Nation. Brunson Green details the filming process by explaining that "you could tell there were about 250 movie moments in this biography of this amazing couple, and so we kind of culled through all those moments and tried to figure out a storyline". During the IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards ceremony, Oyelowo mentions adding A United Kingdom to his list of movies because it was an African-based story directed by a female filmmaker. A United Kingdom opened the British Film Institute's 60th London Film Festival in 2016. Asante directed "Useful", episode 3 in series 3 of Hulu streaming service's series The Handmaid's Tale. The series is based on Canadian writer Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name. The episode first screened on 5 June 2019. Asante is set to direct a film adaptation of the book The Billion Dollar Spy, starring Mads Mikkelsen. Since around 2020, Asante has been involved in creating, writing, and directing the six-part internationally co-produced TV crime drama series Smilla's Sense of Snow, which has its world premiere on Australian TV network SBS Television on 30 July 2025 and is distributed by ITV Studios. The series was made by German film production studio Constantin Film, in association with others.
Other roles and activities
Other roles and activities
As of 2025 Asante is chancellor of the Norwich University of the Arts, since becoming the second in the role in 2019, after John Hurt. Asante is a contributor to the 2019 anthology New Daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby. She is a past elected member of BAFTA Council and a past BAFTA Film committee member. When she was in Grange Hill, she travelled to US for an anti-drugs campaign, and then met First Lady Nancy Reagan.
Personal life
Personal life
Asante was previously married to producer Charlie Hanson. She then married Søren Pedersen, former spokesman for European police in The Hague. As of October 2024 she lives in Denmark.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Notes — Director — Writer • 2019 — The Handmaid's Tale — Episodes "Useful" and "God Bless the Child" • 2020 — Mrs. America — Episodes "Shirley" and "Betty" • 2025 — Smilla's Sense of Snow — 6 episodes; creator, writer, director
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1969
Amma Asante born at London Borough of Lambeth.
Film
• Year — Title — Director — Writer • 2004 — A Way of Life • 2013 — Belle • 2016 — A United Kingdom • 2018 — Where Hands Touch • 2026 — Billion Dollar Spy
Recognition, honours and awards
In November 2004, the London Film Festival awarded Asante the inaugural Alfred Dunhill UK Film Talent Award. In February 2005, Asante was named The Times newspaper's Breakthrough Artist of the Year and was nominated for Best Newcomer at both the Evening Standard and London Film Critics award ceremonies. That same month at the BAFTA Film Awards, Asante received the Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a British Writer, director, or Producer in Their First Feature Film, which she has since cited as being a big break in her career. The 2005 Miami International Film Festival awarded A Way of Life as Best Dramatic Feature in World Cinema and the FIPRESCI prize (International Federation of Film Critics prize) for Best Feature Film. The Wales Chapter of BAFTA gave A Way of Life four of its top awards in April 2005, including Best Director and Best Film. Additionally, Asante was awarded for this film by the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain and the Mar del Plata Film Festival in Argentina. After the release of Belle, Asante was honoured by BAFTA in both Los Angeles and New York City as a "Brit to Watch", where special screenings of the film were held to celebrate her work. At the 2014 Miami International Film Festival, Asante was awarded the Signis Award as director of Belle. In 2014, Asante was made an Honorary Associate of the London Film School, where she earlier served as a Governor (2006–2007). She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to film. In 2018, Asante became the first woman to receive the British Urban Film Festival honorary award from actress Dona Croll for outstanding contribution to film and television. In the 2020 and 2021 Powerlist, Asante was listed in the Top 100 of the most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Fox, Laura, and Sean Doherty (25 February 2017), "Lambeth-born film director Amma Asante casts her vote for Oscar winners in move to increase diversity" , SW Londoner.
- 2.Jacobs, Emma. Film-maker Amma Asante on race, Brexit and meeting Prince. Financial Times. 10 November 2016.
- 3.Saner, Emine (9 February 2005), Mum and dad never showed fear , Evening Standard.
- 4.My school-friend @NaomiCampbell has been showing us the possibilities for decades, challenging glass ceilings and raising the bar. Thank you for the example Naomi 🖤🖤🖤. 931932346093273088. 18 November 2017.
- 5.Greer, Bonnie. From Grange Hill to the valleys. The Guardian. 8 November 2004.
- 6.Hockenhull, Stella. British Women Film Directors in the New Millennium. 2017. 978-1-137-48991-3.
- 7.Gritty debut hits hard for ex-Grange Hill star. Birmingham Evening Mail. 4 February 2005.
- 8.South Bank Show Breakthrough Star. The Times. 2–3. 17 January 2005.
- 9.Taylor, Jessica. 'How Can I be Too High in Rank to Dine with the Servants, but Too Low to Dine with My Family?': Intersectionality and Postfeminism in Amma Asante's Belle. Gender & History. 30. 3. 769–785. 26 September 2018. 0953-5233.
- 10.empireonline.com. Toronto 2013: Starred Up, Belle, The Invisible Woman, Dom Hemingway, The Double | The Empire Blog.
- 11.THR Staff. 'Belle' Star Gugu Mbatha-Raw is the Only British Actor Who's Never Done a Period Film. The Hollywood Reporter. 11 September 2013.
- 12.Redcarpetdiaries. The New Film Belle by Director Amma Asante Now Running at TIFF 2013. Dailymotion. 9 September 2013.
- 13.Alexander, Bryan. 'Belle' breaks through the aristocratic color barrier. USA Today. 21 July 2013.
- 14.Cook, Cameron. We screened BELLE at the UN and this is what happened. Fox Searchlight. 10 April 2014.
- 15.Dave, McNary. Warner Bros. Rings 'Belle' Director for New Thriller. Variety. 9 January 2014.
- 16.Kit, Borys. 'Belle' Filmmaker to Direct David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike in 'A United Kingdom' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. 26 May 2015.
- 17.Winfrey, Graham. 'A United Kingdom': Why David Oyelowo's Passion Project Is Competing for Audiences With Oscar Contenders. IndieWire. 17 February 2017.
- 18.Benn, Melissa. The bride wore black. The Guardian. 19 August 2006.
- 19.Korsner, Jason. A United Kingdom To Open London Film Festival 2016. What's Worth Seeing…. 21 June 2016.
- 20.Ritman, Alex. Mads Mikkelsen, Armie Hammer Join Amma Asante's Cold War Thriller 'Billion Dollar Spy'. The Hollywood Reporter. 29 October 2020.
- 21.Vlessing, Etan. Amma Asante to Direct Drama 'Smilla's Sense of Snow'. The Hollywood Reporter. 24 September 2020.
- 22.Knox, David. World Premiere: Smilla's Sense of Snow. TV Tonight. 23 July 2025.
- 23.Constantin Film's Smilla's Sense of Snow adaption lands Amma Asante to direct. Constantin Film. 13 March 2023.
- 24.Amma Asante MBE. Norwich University of the Arts. 11 February 2025.
- 25.Our history. Norwich University of the Arts. 30 June 2025.
- 26.Hubbard, Ladee (10 May 2019), "Power to define yourself: The diaspora of female black voices" , TLS.
- 27.BFI London Film Festival#2005
- 28.BBC. Race film joy for debut director. 13 February 2005.
- 29.60 Seconds With. Amma Asante. BAFTA Guru. 6 August 2014.
- 30.The Winners of the 2005 Miami Film Festival Competition are. : Miami IMC.
- 31.Sutter, Mary. Way of Life Takes Miami Honors: Asante's Pic Earns Top Accolades at Festival. Variety. 14 February 2005.
- 32.miamifilmfestival.com. Miami International Film Festival – 2005 Winners.
- 33.walesonline.co.uk. Baftas A Way of Life for ITV Wales – Wales Online. 25 April 2005.
- 34.Ifans clinches Bafta 'Grand Slam'. BBC News. 24 April 2005.
- 35.Kemp, Stuart. BAFTA to Give Brit Filmmaker Amma Asante U.S. Showcase. The Hollywood Reporter. 11 March 2014.
- 36.signis.net. Signis.
- 37.lfs.org.uk. Honorary Associates | London Film School.
- 38.61962. B15. 17 June 2017.
- 39."Amma Asante receives the BUFF Honorary Award - The British Urban Film Festival Awards: 2018" (via YouTube), 13 September 2018.
- 40.Mills, Kelly-Ann. Raheem Sterling joins Meghan and Stormzy in top 100 most influential black Brits. mirror. 25 October 2019.
- 41.Lavender, Jane. Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021. mirror. 17 November 2020.
- 42.Kellaway, Kate. Amma Asante: 'I'm bi-cultural, I walk the division that Belle walked every day'. The Observer. 18 May 2014.
- 43.Søren Kragh Pedersen. Kommunikationsforum. 9 August 2023.
- 44.Pickard, Michael. Snow queen. Drama Quarterly. 22 October 2024.
- 45.Tutt, Louise. Amma Asante, Deniz Gamze Erguven join directors of 'The Handmaid's Tale' season three (exclusive). Screen. 6 December 2018.
- 46.Ritman, Alex. Amma Asante Directing Episodes of FX's 'Mrs. America' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. 12 September 2019.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 2
- Jenelle Riley, "Toronto Film Fest: Filmmaker Amma Asante on 'Belle'" (interview), Backstage, 10 September 2013.
- Video: "Amma Asante, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Tom Felton, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson and Emily Watson discuss the film at the Toronto International Film Festival 2013", The Hollywood Reporter video.
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Amma Asante is recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded as actress, film director and screenwriter.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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