Entertainment
Limerick girl Ruth Negga stars in the drama: ‘Passing’
Limerick girl Ruth Negga. Picture: Gage Skidmore.
Limerick girl Ruth Negga stars in the drama: ‘Passing’
Limerick raised Ruth Negga has recently been cast in the drama, “Passing”. The story is an adaptation of Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel, which is based on exploring race and gender.
The critically acclaimed Loving star appears alongside Tessa Thompson in the film that marks the directorial debut of actress Rebecca Hall.
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“Nella Larsen’s Passing is an astonishing book about two women struggling not just with what it meant to be black in America in 1929, but with gender conventions, the performance of femininity, the institution of marriage, the responsibilities of motherhood, and the ways in which all of those forces intersect,” Hall said in a statement.
Ruth Negga, an only child, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she lived until she was four years old, before moving to Limerick. Her mother Nora was working in Ethiopia as a nurse when she met Negga’s father. He was due to move to Limerick to be with them after they left but died in a car accident when Ruth was just seven years old.
Ruth attended national school in Roxboro, and later spent part of her secondary school at the all-girls Scoil Carmel on O’Connell Avenue, which has now closed its doors. She moved to London after completing her drama studies at Trinity College Dublin.
Ruth’s mother Nora now lives in London, after moving from Limerick. Among her cousins in Limerick is Peter Malone who has played rugby with Bruff, St Munchin’s, Garryowen, Munster, and who is now Munster Rugby’s elite player development manager.
Her cousin Dave Malone has frequently been her companion of choice as she stepped out on successive red carpets at the Golden Globes, and previously in New York and Cannes.
Ruth has had a very successful career, featuring in popular movies such as Isolation and Warcraft to television shows like BBC’s mini-series Criminal Justice and E4’s Misfits.
She has been nominated not only for the Oscars for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mildred in the film ‘Loving’ but was also a nominee for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, and a BAFTA Rising Star Award.
Pictured: Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton appear in the film ‘Loving’
“I am truly humbled by the news, and I thank the Academy for this recognition, which I share with my co-collaborators Jeff Nichols and Joel Edgerton,” she said in a statement about her nomination.
The former Love/Hate star, 35, was nominated for her role in Loving, which tells the true story of an illegal inter-racial marriage in 1950s Virginia.
The couple battled before the Supreme Court in 1967 for their right to live together as husband and wife.
The Oscar-nominated star made a return to the stage as Hamlet in a Gate Theatre production in September.
Recognised by the US-Ireland Alliance for her excellent work, Ruth Negga will be next seen in the sci-fi Ad Astra alongside Brad Pitt.
For more information about Ruth Negga go here
For more stories about Ruth Negga go here
Limerick girl Ruth Negga
Limerick girl Ruth Negga
