Nafessa Williams
Biography
Nafessa Williams is an American actress born on December 4, 1989, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is known for her roles in the 2011 film Streets as Nicole Gordon, and the 2011 ABC soap opera One Life to Live as Deanna Forbes. In 2016, she played Dr. Charlotte Piel on the CBS drama Code Black. Since 2018, she has played Anissa Pierce in The CW's Black Lightning. Williams has been credited in 19 projects, and her known credits include acting.
Career overview
Nafessa Williams is an American actress. She began her acting career with roles in film and television, including the 2011 film Streets, where she played Nicole Gordon. In the same year, she took on the role of Deanna Forbes on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.
Williams continued to work in television and film, appearing in the 2016 CBS drama Code Black as Dr. Charlotte Piel. Her portrayal of Dr. Piel marked one of her notable roles in television. Since 2018, she has played Anissa Pierce in The CW's Black Lightning.
Nafessa Williams has accumulated a number of acting credits throughout her career, with a total of 19 known credits. Her work spans various genres and platforms, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Williams' performances have been recognized through her appearances in film and television, with a focus on her roles in Streets, One Life to Live, Code Black, and Black Lightning.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
21 titles- Rivals: The Official Podcast (2026) as Self
- Rivals (2024) as Cameron Cook
- Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022) as Robyn Crawford
- A Holiday Chance (2021) as Noel
- A Holiday Chance (2021) Producer
- A Holiday Chance (2021) Story
- Black and Blue (2019) as Missy
- Black Lightning (2018) as Anissa Pierce / Thunder / Blackbird
- Steve (2017) as Self
- Tales (2017) as Jenny
- Burning Sands (2017) as Toya
- True to the Game (2017) as Sahirah
- Asterisk (2016) as Angela
- Restored Me (2016) as Monica Berry
- Code Black (2015) as Charlotte Piel
- Brotherly Love (2015) as Simone
- Whitney (2015) as Kim
- The Man in 3B (2015) as Krystal
- Survivor's Remorse (2014) as Adina Parker
- Streets (2012) as Nicole Gordon
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Jade
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Nafessa Williams best known for?
Nafessa Williams is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Rivals (2024), Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022), Black and Blue (2019), Black Lightning (2018).
When and where was Nafessa Williams born?
Nafessa Williams was born on December 4, 1989 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
How many credits does Nafessa Williams have?
Nafessa Williams has accumulated over 21 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1990 to 2026.
What is Nafessa Williams's background in cinema and television?
Nafessa Williams is an American actress born on December 4, 1989, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is known for her roles in the 2011 film Streets as Nicole Gordon, and the 2011 ABC soap opera One Life to Live as Deanna Forbes. In 2016, she played Dr. Charlotte Piel on the CBS drama Code Black. Since 2018, she has pl...