{{short description|American actress (born 1994)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Midori Francis | image = Midori Francis in 2026.jpg | caption = Midori Francis in 2026 | birth_name = Midori Anne Iwama | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|4|16}} | birth_place = Lakewood, New Jersey, U.S. | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2014−present | education = Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA) }} '''Midori Anne Iwama''' (born April 16, 1994),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/midori-francis/|title=Midori Francis: 13 facts about Netflix's Dash & Lily star you need to know | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201214544/https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/midori-francis/ | archive-date=2020-12-01}}</ref> known professionally as '''Midori Francis''', is an American actress. She began her career in theatre, earning NYIT, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards. She received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role as Lily in the Netflix series ''Dash & Lily'' (2020). She also starred as Dr. Mika Yasuda in ''Grey's Anatomy'' (2022–2024).
==Early life and education== Francis grew up in Rumson, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Joanne and Ken Iwama, the current chancellor of Indiana University Northwest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iun.edu/news/2021/midori-francis.htm|title=A shining star: an interview with Midori Francis|website=Indiana University Northwest|date=24 September 2021|accessdate=28 November 2021}}</ref> Named after her paternal grandmother,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.whowhatwear.com/midori-francis-interview/slide2|title=Dash & Lily Is a Perfect Weekend Watch, and You're Going to Love Its Star|journal=Who What Wear|first=Jessica|last=Baker|date=11 November 2020|accessdate=28 November 2021}}</ref> Francis is of Japanese descent on her father's side and Irish and Italian on her mother's. On growing up in a predominantly white town in the 1990s and early 2000s, she commented "I was teased a lot for being Asian, I was bullied, made to feel like I was ugly or weird". She identifies as a Hapa.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.lct.org/explore/blog/midori-francis-and-sarah-mezzanotte-what-theyve-learned/|title=Midori Francis and Sarah Mezzanotte: What They've Learned|journal=Lincoln Center Theater|first=Brendan|last=Lemon|date=January 4, 2018|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mixedasianmedia.com/hapa-mag-issue-013/2020/12/5/midori-francis-rising-star-and-relentless-optimist|title=Midori Francis: Rising Star And Relentless Optimist|website=Mixed Asian Media|first=Nathan|last=Liu|date=9 December 2020|accessdate=28 November 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128103501/https://mixedasianmedia.com/hapa-mag-issue-013/2020/12/5/midori-francis-rising-star-and-relentless-optimist|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Francis attended Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2014. She studied abroad in London, training with Tim Carroll and performing in a production of ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' at Shakespeare's Globe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/530241c4e4b00ab549289d9a/t/581ea8cff7e0abaa8f3aee77/1478404303868/Midori+Francis+Res+10-28-16.pdf|title=Midori Francis|website=Henderson Hogan Agency|accessdate=October 8, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009192111/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/530241c4e4b00ab549289d9a/t/581ea8cff7e0abaa8f3aee77/1478404303868/Midori+Francis+Res+10-28-16.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career== Upon graduating from Rutgers, Francis landed stage roles in regional productions of ''Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'' and ''Peter and the Starcatcher'' as Nina and Molly respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/arts/article_5cc3145b-c64f-591c-a7b9-cabe99145729.html|title=Prequel story of Peter Pan at Virginia Stage Company offers clever, original moments|journal=Virginia Pilot|first=Mal|last=Vincent|date=October 1, 2015|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> She won Best Actress at the 2016 New York Innovative Theatre Awards as well as receiving a Best Ensemble nomination for her role as Meghan in the Off-Broadway play ''Connected'' at 59E59 Theaters. From 2017 to 2018, she was in the original cast of ''The Wolves'', garnering ensemble awards at the Obie and Drama Desk Awards. At the latter, Francis was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in Play for her role in Ming Peiffer's ''Usual Girls''.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/midori-francis-to-lead-cast-of-ming-peiffers-usual-girls|title=Midori Francis to Lead Cast of Ming Peiffer's Usual Girls|journal=Playbill|first=Olivia|last=Clement|date=August 29, 2018|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref>
In 2018, Francis made her feature film debut in ''Ocean's 8''. The following year, she appeared in ''South Mountain'' and ''Good Boys''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adawson/2019/08/14/molly-gordon-cuts-boys-no-slack-in-new-comedy/#5245a6f664bd|title=Molly Gordon Cuts Boys No Slack In New Comedy|website=Forbes|first=Angela|last=Dawson|date=August 14, 2019|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> In October 2019, it was announced Francis would star in her first lead role opposite Austin Abrams in the 2020 Netflix Christmas romantic comedy series ''Dash & Lily'', an adaptation of the young adult novel by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/austin-abrams-midori-francis-starnetflix-holiday-ya-series-dash-lily-shawn-levy-nick-jonas-1202760183/|title=Austin Abrams & Midori Francis Star In Netflix Holiday YA Series 'Dash & Lily' From Shawn Levy & Nick Jonas|journal=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=October 15, 2019|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> Francis was included in the creative process, as elements from her real life background and experiences were incorporated.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/11/10157229/dash-lily-lead-actress-midori-francis-interview|title=Dash & Lily's Delightful Midori Francis Reminds Boys That Pigtail-Pulling Is Not Flirting|journal=Refinery29|first=Ariana|last=Romero|date=10 November 2020|accessdate=28 November 2021}}</ref> For her performance, Francis was nominated for Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program at the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Francis appeared alongside Victoria Justice in the Netflix fantasy comedy film ''Afterlife of the Party'' in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/victoria-justice-midori-francis-afterlife-of-the-party/ |title=Victoria Justice and Midori Francis to Star in 'Afterlife of the Party' for Netflix (Exclusive) |first=Umberto|last=Gonzalez|website=TheWrap|date=8 October 2020|access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref> In March 2021, it was announced Francis had joined the main cast of the HBO Max series ''The Sex Lives of College Girls'', which premiered later that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=12 March 2021 |title='The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Midori Francis, Gavin Leatherwood Among Six Cast In Mindy Kaling's HBO Max Series |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-sex-lives-of-college-girls-midori-francis-gavin-leatherwood-cast-hbo-max-series-1234713661/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010559/https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-sex-lives-of-college-girls-midori-francis-gavin-leatherwood-cast-hbo-max-series-1234713661/ |archive-date=13 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
In January 2022, Francis was set to star in the TV thriller film ''Unseen'' with Jolene Purdy, helmed by Yoko Okumura in her feature directing debut.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/epix-yoko-okumura-to-direct-1234915865/|title=Epix & Blumhouse Casts Jolene Purdy & Midori Francis For TV Movie Thriller 'Unseen'; Yoko Okumura To Direct|first=Alexandra|last=Del Rosario|date=20 January 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In July 2022, it was announced that Francis was cast as a series regular for season 19 of ABC's medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/midori-francis-joins-cast-greys-anatomy-season-19-sex-lives-of-college-girls-1235074579/|title='Grey's Anatomy' Adds 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' Midori Francis To Cast For Season 19|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=22 July 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> She announced she would be leaving the show in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |work=Deadline Hollywood | url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/midori-francis-leaving-greys-anatomy-mika-yasuda-1235917481/ | title=Midori Francis Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy' Next Season | date=May 15, 2024 }}</ref>
In December 2024 it was announced Francis would star in the film ''Saccharine'' helmed by Relic director Natalie Erika James.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://deadline.com/2024/12/midori-francis-danielle-macdonald-madeleine-madden-horror-saccharine-australia-1236206604/|title= Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald & Madeleine Madden Starring In Horror 'Saccharine' For 'Relic' Director, Filming Underway In Australia|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=17 December 2024|work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
In 2025, Francis returned to the stage in the Classic Stage Company production of ''Bus Stop'', playing Cherie. Her performance received positive notices, with ''The New York Times'' calling it "the show's standout performance."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/theater/bus-stop-review-classic-stage.html|title= 'Bus Stop' Review: Travelers Find Shelter From a Storm|first=Elizabeth|last=Vincentelli|date=20 May 2025|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://exeuntnyc.com/reviews/review-bus-stop-at-classic-stage-company/|title= Review: Bus Stop at Classic Stage Company|first=Nicole|last=Serratore|date=25 May 2025|work=Exeunt NYC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://observer.com/2025/05/review-a-steady-not-too-bumpy-ride-to-william-inges-bus-stop/|title= Review: Review: A Steady, Not-Too Bumpy Ride to William Inge's Bus Stop|first=David|last=Cote|date=20 May 2025|work=Observer}}</ref>
== Personal life == She is vocal about Asian representation in media and speaks frequently about her experience as an Asian-American in Hollywood.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mizoguchi|first=Karen|date=November 25, 2020|title=Midori Francis and Troy Iwata Talk Importance of LGBTQ and Asian Representation in Netflix's Dash & Lily|url=https://people.com/tv/dash-and-lily-midori-francis-troy-iwata-importance-of-lgbtq-asian-representation/|access-date=2022-02-08|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 23, 2021|title='I feel on edge sometimes.' Prominent Asian Americans speak out against rise in bias incidents|url=https://bronx.news12.com/i-feel-on-edge-sometimes-prominent-asian-americans-speak-out-against-rise-in-bias-incidents|access-date=2022-02-08|website=News 12 - The Bronx}}</ref>
She identifies as queer.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rachel |last=Simon |date=September 29, 2022 |title=Midori Francis Is Among the New Class of 'Grey's Anatomy' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/style/midori-francis-greys-anatomy.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share |work=New York Times |access-date=March 17, 2026}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes |- | 2018 | ''Ocean's 8'' | April | |- | 2019 | ''South Mountain'' | Emme | |- | 2019 | ''Good Boys'' | Lily | |- | 2021 | ''Afterlife of the Party'' | Lisa | Streaming film |- | 2023 | ''Unseen'' | Emily | |- | 2026 | ''Saccharine'' | Hana | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/midori-francis-danielle-macdonald-madeleine-madden-horror-saccharine-australia-1236206604/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=19 March 2025|title=Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald & Madeleine Madden Starring In Horror 'Saccharine' For 'Relic' Director, Filming Underway In Australia|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=17 December 2024}}</ref> |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes |- | 2016 | ''Younger'' | Lin | Episode: "The Marshmallow Experiment " |- | 2017 | ''Gotham'' | Emma Hsueh | Episode: "A Dark Knight: A Day in the Narrows" |- | 2018 | ''Divorce'' | Katie | Episode: "Going, Going... Gone" |- | 2018 | ''Paterno'' | Riot Interviewee | Television film |- | 2019 | ''The Birch'' | Lanie Bouchard | Web series; recurring role, 8 episodes |- | 2020 | ''Dash & Lily'' | Lily | Lead role |- | 2021–2024 | ''The Sex Lives of College Girls'' | Alicia | Main role (season 1, 3)<br />Guest role (season 2) |- | 2022–2024 | ''Grey's Anatomy'' | Dr. Mika Yasuda | Main role; (seasons 19–season 21)<br>37 episodes |- |}
==Stage== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2014 | ''Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'' | Nina | Syracuse Stage, Syracuse |- | 2015 | ''Peter and the Starcatcher'' | Molly | Wells Theatre, Norfolk, Virginia |- | 2016 | ''Connected'' | Meghan | 59E59 Theaters, Off-Broadway |- | 2017−2018 | ''The Wolves'' | No. 8 | The Duke on 42nd Street, Off-Broadway; Mitzi Newhouse Theater, Off-Broadway; New York Stage and Film, Vassar |- | rowspan="2"|2019 | ''Before the Meeting'' | Nicole | Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Massachusetts<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://theberkshireedge.com/review-wtfs-authentic-before-the-meeting-is-clever-and-genuine/meeting-midori-francis-deirdre-oconnell-arnie-burton-photo-by-joseph-omalley/|title=MEETING-Midori Francis, Deirdre O'Connell, Arnie Burton, photo by Joseph O'Malley|journal=The Berkshire Edge|first=Emily|last=Edelman|date=August 13, 2019|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Usual Girls'' | Kyeoung | Roundabout Theatre Company, Off-Broadway |- | 2025 | ''Bus Stop'' | Cherie | Classic Stage Company,<ref>https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Midori-Francis-Joins-BUS-STOP-Cast-at-Classic-Stage-Company-20250319</ref> Off-Broadway |- | 2026 | ''Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia'' | Sylvia | Geffen Playhouse,<ref name="Sylvia">{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DUljBwvlHvC/|title="Here's your first look at SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA" - Geffen Playhouse on Instagram|work=Instagram|accessdate=February 19, 2026}}</ref> Off-Broadway |- |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="2"|2016 | rowspan="2" | New York Innovative Theatre Awards | Outstanding Actress | rowspan="2" | ''Connected'' | {{won}} | <ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/off-off-broadways-it-award-winners-announced|title=Off Off-Broadway's IT Award Winners Announced|journal=Playbill|date=September 26, 2016|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> |- | Outstanding Ensemble | {{nom}} | |- | rowspan="2"|2017 | Obie Awards | Distinguished Performance by an Ensemble | rowspan="2" | ''The Wolves'' | {{won}} | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.obieawards.com/2017/05/2017-obie-winners/|title=2017 Obie Winners and Performances|website=Obie Awards|date=May 22, 2017|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Ensemble | {{won}} | <ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/2017-drama-desk-awards-presented-june-4|title=2017 Drama Desk Awards Presented June 4|journal=Playbill|first=Ryan|last=McPhee|date=June 4, 2017|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> |- | 2019 | Outstanding Actress in a Play | ''Usual Girls'' | {{nom}} | <ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/tootsie-hadestown-and-the-ferryman-lead-2019-drama-desk-award-winners|title=Tootsie, Hadestown, and The Ferryman Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners|journal=Playbill|first=Ruthie|last=Fierberg|date=June 2, 2019|accessdate=October 8, 2020}}</ref> |- | 2021 | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program | ''Dash & Lily'' | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://theemmys.tv/day-48th-nominations-childrens-lifestyle/|title=Children's & Lifestyle Nominations |publisher= National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences |access-date=June 28, 2021|date=June 28, 2021 }}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|6377764}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Francis, Midori}} Category:Living people Category:1994 births Category:21st-century American actresses Category:American actresses of Japanese descent Category:American film actresses Category:American people of Irish descent Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American stage actresses Category:American LGBTQ people of Asian descent Category:LGBTQ people from New Jersey Category:Mason Gross School of the Arts alumni Category:People from Rumson, New Jersey Category:American queer actresses Category:Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School alumni Category:Rutgers University alumni Category:People from Lakewood Township, New Jersey Category:Actresses from Monmouth County, New Jersey Category:Actresses from Ocean County, New Jersey