Sophina Brown facts for kids

Sophina Brown Simmons is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows and for her work in live theater. She played prosecutor Raina Troy in the CBS show Shark from 2006 to 2008. Later, she became an FBI agent named Nikki Betancourt in the CBS crime drama Numbers from 2008 to 2010. Sophina Brown has also been very active in theater, especially in supporting and producing plays for Black artists and communities.

About Sophina Brown

Sophina Brown was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in the United States. She studied Theatre Performance at the University of Michigan. She earned a special degree called a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

In May 2010, Sophina Brown married actor Henry Simmons. He was also her co-star in the TV series Shark.

Her Acting Journey

Sophina Brown started her acting career in live theater. She performed in many plays before moving to television.

Early Theater Roles

One of her first big roles was playing Nala in the famous Broadway musical The Lion King. She also toured the country in the musical Fame — the Musical, where she played the character Carmen. She performed in other plays too, like Jesus Christ Superstar, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Moving to Television

After gaining experience in theater, Sophina Brown moved to Los Angeles. This move helped her pursue a career in television. Even after starting TV work, she continued to act in plays.

Famous TV Shows

Sophina Brown has appeared in many television series.

• She guest-starred in popular shows like Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• From 2006 to 2008, she was a main character in the CBS legal drama Shark. She played Raina Troy, a prosecutor who worked with Deputy DA Sebastian Stark, played by James Woods.
• In 2007, she also appeared in the movie Because I Said So.
• From 2008 to 2010, Sophina Brown joined the CBS drama Numbers. She played Nikki Betancourt, an FBI agent. She was a regular cast member until the show ended.

In the early 2010s, she had guest roles in shows such as Castle, Brothers & Sisters, The Good Wife, and NCIS. From 2013 to 2014, she was part of the ABC Family series Ravenswood. More recently, from 2020 to 2021, she starred in the BET series Twenties. In 2022, she appeared in the FX on Hulu series Kindred, which was based on a well-known novel.

Supporting Theater for Communities

Sophina Brown is also a producer of theater. Since 2016, she has produced plays that highlight local Black artists and audiences. She started with plays from August Wilson's American Century Cycle. She also helps lead non-profit groups that work to develop and support theater for different communities, especially communities of color.