Ruth Negga (/ˈneɪɡə/ NAY-gə;[1] born 4 May 1981)[2][3] is an Irish actress known for her roles in the AMC television series Preacher (2016–2019) and the film Loving (2016).

[4] Other television projects include the BBC mini-series Criminal Justice (2008–2019), RTÉ's Love/Hate (2010–2011), E4's Misfits (2010), ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[9] Negga made her screen debut in the Irish film Capital Letters (2004), playing the lead role of Taiwo.

[14] After seeing Negga act, director Neil Jordan changed the script to Breakfast on Pluto so that she could appear in the movie.

[citation needed] On television, Negga has appeared in Doctors, Criminal Justice and the Irish series Love Is the Drug.

She played the lead role of Doris "Sid" Siddiqi in the BBC Three series Personal Affairs, alongside Laura Aikman, Annabel Scholey and Maimie McCoy.

She also provided voice acting in the video game Dark Souls II, playing Shanalotte, otherwise known as "the Emerald Herald".

In 2013, it was announced that Negga had been booked for a recurring role as Raina on the American TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[17] She filmed scenes for Steve McQueen's Oscar-winning biographical drama 12 Years a Slave (2013), but her role was ultimately cut from the movie.

[21] In March 2015, Negga was cast in the role of Tulip O'Hare in AMC fantasy drama series Preacher, which debuted the following year.

[29][30] In February 2021, it was announced that Negga will star in and executive produce a limited drama series about legendary Jazz age performer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker.

[40][41] Negga appeared opposite Cooper in AMC's Preacher, in which the pair portrayed lovers, and has said that they are "best friends".