AFDA Johannesburg postgraduate honours students recently had the privilege of hosting renowned actor, scholar, and artist Arsema Thomas on campus. During her visit, Arsema screened her latest Disney + film, She Taught Love, followed by an engaging Q&A session and an insightful discussion about her experiences as an international actress.
Beyond her impressive acting career, Arsema boasts an academic background that is just as remarkable. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master’s in Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Public Health from Yale. A 2022 alumna of the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), she is a true polyglot, fluent in English, French, Spanish, Yoruba, and Amharic. Her global perspective is deeply influenced by her Ethiopian and Nigerian heritage, as well as her experiences living in Uganda, Kenya, Togo, Comoros, Benin, and India.
Arsema recently wrapped filming She Taught Love, where she stars alongside Darrell Britt-Gibson and Taissa Farmiga. She is also known for her standout role as Young Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers production. The series debuted to critical acclaim and dominated Netflix charts, garnering nearly 150 million hours watched, as highlighted by Variety.
Her visit to AFDA Johannesburg left students inspired by both her artistic journey and her dedication to global storytelling and philanthropy.