Ellen Tamaki is an American actress who played Niko Hamada in Charmed (2018–19) and Drea Mikami in Manifest since 2020.
Ellen Tamaki | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 5, 1992 |
| Alma mater | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Boston University College of Fine Arts |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Known for | Niko Hamada in Charmed |
Early life
editTamaki is from Brooklyn, New York. She studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating in 2013. During her time as a student in London, she had theatre appearances as Lady Anne in Richard III and as Casca in Julius Caesar.[1] Tamaki moved to the United States to study at the Boston University College of Fine Arts, graduating in 2014.[2]
Acting career
editTamaki was working on the One Year Lease Theater Company and Stages Repertory Theatre's production Balls at 59E59 Theaters in New York when the show's protagonist Billie-Jean King (played by Tamaki) showed up in real life to watch the play.[3] After having several small roles in films and television from 2015, her first big break came in 2018, while working in New York theatre,[4] she was offered a main role as the police detective Niko Hamada for 16 episodes of series 1 of the television series Charmed.[5][6] Tamaki followed that television success with the recurring role of police officer Drea Mikami in the second series of Manifest in 2020.[7] She continued in the role through to season 4 in 2022.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Searching for Sally Mae | Frankie | |
| 2016 | Reptilia | Tina | Short |
| 2016 | The Drowning | Barista | |
| 2017 | Valentina | Debbie | Short |
| 2018 | The Procedure | CNA Nguyen | Short |
| 2018 | We Only Know So Much | Taylor | |
| 2019 | Inez & Doug & Kira | Valerie | |
| 2021 | Fernanda | Short |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Holdouts | Lisa | TV movie |
| 2018 | Dichos | 1 episode | |
| 2018–2019 | Charmed | Niko Hamada | Season 1, 15 episodes[5][6] |
| 2020–2023 | Manifest | Drea Mikami | Seasons 2–4, 21 episodes[7] |
| 2022 | Girls5eva | Amanda | S2 E3 - "Who U Know" |
| 2023 | Die Trying | Lisa | In production |
References
edit- ^ "Ellen Tamaki". Backstage. 2020.
- ^ "Bingeworthy TV shows and movies featuring CFA Alumni". Boston University College of Fine Arts. March 24, 2020.
- ^ Jason Zednick (February 26, 2018). "Tennis Icon Billie Jean King Visits Balls". Theatermania.
- ^ Abbie Bernstein (February 3, 2019). "CHARMED: Ellen Tamaki talks Season 1 of The CW reboot". Assignment X.
- ^ a b "Charmed" (PDF) (Press release). CBS. August 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "'Charmed': Charlie Gillespie & Ellen Tamaki Join the CW Reboot Pilot". Deadline. March 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Lizzy Buczak (March 6, 2020). "Manifest Interview: Ellen Tamaki Talks Drea and Mic's Relationship, If She Can Be Trusted, and the X'ers". CraveYouTV.
- ^ "Ellen Tamaki - Holiday Beauty". thebaremagazine.com. December 8, 2022.