Adepero Oduye is from Brooklyn, New York, from a family of Nigerian descent. She graduated from Cornell University and studied acting with Wynn Handman, Austin Pendleton, and Susan Batson. Her name is pronounced "Ah-deh-peh-roh Oh-doo-yay."

Her theater credits include Danai Gurira's play "Eclipsed" at Yale Repertory Theatre; "The Bluest Eye" at Hartford Stage and Long Wharf Theatre; and "Fela!" at the AEA workshop, directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones.

Ms. Oduye first appeared on screen in writer-director Dee Rees's award-winning short film "Pariah" as Alike. Other short films she has appeared in include "Water" by Gabriele Zamparini; "The Tested" by Russell Costanzo; and "Sub Rosa" by Nadia Hamza.