28 Days Later actress Naomie Harris has always been vocal about how she was raised in an environment of strong, creative women. That explains why most of the roles that she plays are of a similar nature.
Naomie Harris curls her hair for Cointreau’s Creative Crew Grant Scheme UK awarding ceremony held May 24, 2016, at Liberty London (Credit: WENN)
Unsurprisingly, the actress wants to encourage others to pursue similar paths to creative success. In May 2016, Naomie attended Cointreau’s grant awarding ceremony for creative hopefuls in London.
Fourteen years earlier, she starred as Selena in Danny Boyle’s 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later. Virtually unknown before the film’s release, she had previously only acted on British television.
To create a film that relied on solid storytelling instead of star power, Danny Boyle intentionally cast unknown actors for most of the leading roles in “28 Days Later.”
Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Noah Huntley, and Megan Burns had little to no recognition before the film production, with Murphy and Huntley having only played minor roles in films, Harris having primarily worked in British television, and Burns having just one previous acting credit. The only notable cast members were Brendan Gleeson and Christopher Eccleston, who were already well-established actors.
Naomie Harris as Selena, Brendan Gleeson as Frank, and Cillian Murphy as Jim in the 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
For her performance as Selena, Naomie Harris became the first woman to win the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, which before 2014 was not gender-specific.
28 Days Later was released on November 1, 2002, when Naomie Harris was 26 years old. Cillian Murphy, who played the lead role of Jim, was also 26 years old, while Brendan Gleeson was 47 and Christopher Eccleston was 38 years old.
“I was in a little red dress,” she told The Guardian about filming her breakout role. “It was winter, I was covered in blood, I was freezing. I don’t know how I survived it.”
Naomie Harris wears a blue dress from Jonathan Simkhai on the orange carpet (Credit: WENN)
For the 2016 Cointreau Creative Crew Awards in London, Naomie Harris wore a beautiful navy and white dress from Jonathan Simkhai.
The midi dress featured gorgeous lace details across its asymmetrical skirt and a sleeveless design.
Naomie Harris’s feet in silver Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (Credit: WENN)
The Moonlight actress paired her dainty dress with a pair of more adventurous silver “Maryjane” sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Naomie Harris and Laetitia Casta attend the Cointreau Creative Crew Award Ceremony at Liberty London on May 24, 2016, in London, England (Credit: WENN)
We’re not sure if Naomie was at the event as an official part of the agenda or just to mingle and show support, but regardless — she looked great!
Via Naomie Harris’s social media, posted with the hashtag “#DreamDareCreate” (Credit: Naomie Harris’ Instagram)
You can order Naomie’s “Maryjane” sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti at Farfetch.
Giuseppe Zanotti Design “Maryjane” Strappy Sandals, $900