She gained renewed recognition for starring as a depressed woman in Leigh's drama film Hard Truths (2024), for which she received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Jean-Baptiste was born in London to a mother from Antigua and a father from Saint Lucia, growing up in Peckham.

[5] In 1999, she performed in Paris in a French-language production by Peter Brook of The Suit (Le Costume), a one-act play by Barney Simon and Mothobi Mutloatse, based on the short story by Can Themba.

More recently, the actress has appeared in such films and television shows as Takers (2010), Secrets in the Walls (2010), and Harry's Law (2012).

She was praised for her stage performance in the 2013 National Theatre production of James Baldwin's play The Amen Corner, directed by Rufus Norris.