Naomie Harris: From ‘28 Days Later’ Breakout to Red Carpet Icon in Giuseppe Zanotti Heels

Naomie Harris has often spoken about growing up surrounded by strong, creative women—a background that continues to influence the empowered, multidimensional characters she portrays on screen.

“I grew up with incredibly strong, powerful women around me who were highly intelligent and doing their own thing, and those are the women I’m interested in portraying because that’s what I know to be the truth,” she told The Guardian.

Naomie Harris stuns in a sleek navy dress at Cointreau’s Creative Crew Awards on May 24, 2016, at Liberty London (Credit: WENN)

Naomie Harris had built a solid foundation in British television. Still, her role in 28 Days Later brought her widespread recognition and set the stage for her future as both a powerful screen presence and red carpet fashion icon.

28 Days Later: The Breakout Role That Elevated Her Profile

In 2002, Naomie starred as Selena in Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic thriller 28 Days Later, which helped launch several fresh faces into the spotlight. At the time, Harris was a relative unknown, with a background mostly in TV dramas.

Director Danny Boyle deliberately chose lesser-known actors to ground the film in realism, casting Harris alongside then-newcomers Cillian Murphy and Megan Burns. Their performances, particularly Harris’s gripping portrayal of a survivor in a dystopian London, earned widespread acclaim and opened the door to major roles, press coverage, and high-profile fashion appearances.

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)

Naomie Harris: Breaking Barriers with a Breakthrough Performance

Naomie Harris made history with her performance in 28 Days Later, becoming the first woman to win the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance—a gender-neutral category until 2014. The film’s release on November 1, 2002, marked a turning point in her career, with Harris earning praise for her strength and intensity in a demanding lead role.

“It was winter, I was covered in blood, I was freezing,” she recalled in an interview with The Guardian. “I don’t know how I survived it.”

Her breakout success not only opened doors in film but also amplified her platform as a supporter of creative empowerment. In 2016, she brought that mission to the forefront when she appeared at Cointreau’s Creative Crew Awards—blending her passion for advocacy with a statement-making fashion moment.

A Fashion Icon at the Cointreau Creative Crew Awards

Naomie Harris stuns in a Jonathan Simkhai navy midi dress featuring lace and asymmetrical hem detailing, styled with metallic silver Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Maryjane’ sandals at the Cointreau Creative Crew Awards in London

Naomie Harris attended the 2016 Cointreau Creative Crew Awards in London in a beautiful navy and white dress by Jonathan Simkhai.

The midi dress featured gorgeous lace details across its asymmetrical skirt and a sleeveless design.

Naomie Harris showcases her flawless pedicure in strappy, metallic silver Giuseppe Zanotti sandals featuring sleek wraparound ankle straps and a stiletto heel

The Moonlight actress paired her dainty dress with 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 to mingle and show support, but regardless, she looked great!

Naomie Harris shares a behind-the-scenes moment from the Cointreau Creative Crew Awards on social media, elegantly styled in Jonathan Simkhai and Giuseppe Zanotti heels, with the hashtag “#DreamDareCreate” (Credit: Naomie Harris’ Instagram)

While Naomie’s exact “Maryjane” sandals are sold out, you can explore more recent designs from the same designer at Farfetch.

Giuseppe Zanotti Design “Maryjane” Strappy Sandals, $900