{{short description|American actress}} {{About|the 21st-century actress|the 20th-century actress|Susan Hayward}} {{Infobox person | name = Susan Heyward |image =File:Susan Heyward 2020 (cropped).jpg | caption = Heyward in 2020 | image_upright = yes | birth_date = <!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> | birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | height = <!--Do not add height without citing a reliable source. IMDB is not considered reliable for this information.--> | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2006–present | education = Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) | spouse = }} '''Susan Heyward''' is an American actress who appeared as Sister Sage in the superhero series’s ''The Boys'' (2024-2026) and ''Gen V'' (2025). She starred in the PlayStation Network original series ''Powers'' (2015–16) and HBO period drama ''Vinyl'' (2016). From 2018 to 2019, Heyward had a recurring role as Tamika Ward in the Netflix comedy-drama series ''Orange Is the New Black''.
On stage, Heyward made her Broadway debut in the 2013 production of ''The Trip to Bountiful'' and in 2018–2019 she played Rose Granger-Weasley in the Broadway production of ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child''.
==Early life and education== Heyward was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and graduated with a BFA degree from Carnegie Mellon University.<ref name=brdw>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Susan-Heyward/|title=Susan Heyward Biography on BroadwayWorld.com|website=www.broadwayworld.com}}</ref>
==Career== She began her career appearing in off-Broadway productions and guest-starring roles on television series, including ''Law & Order'' and ''30 Rock''. In 2009, she was regular cast member in the short-lived Comedy Central comedy series ''Michael & Michael Have Issues''. In 2014, she had a recurring role in the Fox thriller series ''The Following''. In 2013, she made her Broadway debut appearing opposite Cicely Tyson in ''The Trip to Bountiful''. Among Heyward's off-Broadway credits are the title role in ''Sabrina Fair'' and ''The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois''.<ref name=brdw/> Her film credits include ''Mother of George'' (2013), starring Danai Gurira, ''Poltergeist'' (2015), ''The Incredible Jessica James'' (2017) and ''The Light of the Moon'' (2017).
In 2015, Heyward was cast in the leading role alongside Sharlto Copley and Eddie Izzard in the PlayStation Network's first scripted original series, ''Powers''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/powers-susan-heyward-cast-as-deena-pilgrim-max-fowler-adam-godley-sony-playstation-805241/|title=Susan Heyward Lands Female Lead In Sony Playstation Series 'Powers', Max Fowler & Adam Godley Also Cast|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> The series was canceled after two seasons. In 2016, she co-starred in the HBO period drama series, ''Vinyl'' playing the role of personal secretary to Bobby Cannavale's lead character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/vinyl-star-susan-heyward-on-life-as-a-black-woman-in-the-1970s-2016-3|title=Actress Susan Heyward talks about how HBO's 'Vinyl' depicts life as a black woman in the 1970s|first=Jacob|last=Shamsian|website=Business Insider|date=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/133454-vinyl-star-susan-heyward-says-playing-a-working-woman-during-the-70s-made-her-feel-grateful|title=Actor Susan Heyward On Women & 'Vinyl'|website=Bustle|first=Allyson|last=Koerner|date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> From 2018 to 2019, Heyward played the role of Tamika Ward, the new Warden in Litchfield prison in the Netflix comedy-drama series ''Orange Is the New Black''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1159765/Orange-Is-The-New-Black-cast-who-plays-new-warden-Tamika-Ward-who-is-Susan-Heyward-Netflix|title=Orange Is The New Black cast: Who plays new warden Tamika Ward? Who is Susan Heyward?|first=Fay|last=Watson|date=July 30, 2019|website=Express.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/07/orange-is-the-new-black-season-seven-tamika-warden-interview|title=''Orange Is the New Black''{{'}}s New Warden on Prison Bonding and Life After Litchfield|first=Lisa|last=Liebman|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=July 26, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, Heyward was cast as Rose Granger-Weasley in the Broadway production of ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/introduce-yourselfie-cursed-child-star-susan-heyward/|title=Introduce Yourself(ie): 10 Questions with ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' Star Susan Heyward|website=BroadwayBox.com|first=Susan|last=Heyward|date=October 9, 2018}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- |2006 |''Sofia for Now'' |Church Attendee | |- |2012 |''Busted on Brigham Lane'' |Momo |Short film |- | 2013 | ''Mother of George'' | Monica | |- | 2015 | ''Poltergeist'' | Sophie | |- | 2017 | ''The Incredible Jessica James'' | Jerusa | |- | 2017 | ''The Light of the Moon'' | Grace | |- |2018 |''Radium Girls'' |Etta | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2009 | ''Michael & Michael Have Issues'' | Lindsey | 4 episodes |- | 2009 | ''Law & Order'' | Alicia Rodriguez | Episode: "Shotgun" |- | 2010 | ''30 Rock'' | Feyonce | Episode: "I Do Do" |- | 2012 | ''666 Park Avenue'' | Janet | 2 episodes |- | 2014 | ''The Following'' | Hannah | Recurring role |- | 2015 | '' Powers'' | Deena Pilgrim | Main role |- | 2016 | ''Unforgettable'' | Rhonda Matthews | Episode: "Game On" |- | 2016 | ''Vinyl'' | Cece Matthews | Recurring role |- | 2016 | ''Conviction'' | Porscha Williams | Episode: "#StayWoke" |- | 2018–2019 | ''Orange Is the New Black'' | Tamika Ward | Recurring role |- | 2020 | ''Tommy'' | Keaton | Episode: "Lifetime Achievement" |- | 2021 | ''Delilah'' | Demetria Barnes | Series regular |- | 2023 |''Hello Tomorrow!'' | Betty Porter | Recurring role |- | 2024–2026 | ''The Boys'' | Sister Sage / Jessica Bradley | Main role (seasons 4–5); 16 episodes |- | 2025 | ''Gen V'' | Sister Sage / Jessica Bradley | 2 episodes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/gen-v-season-2-sister-sage-trailer/ |title=Homelander's Secret Weapon Returns In Gen V Season 2 Trailer |last=Mendelsohn |first=Jon |website=Screen Rant |date=August 31, 2025 |access-date=September 20, 2025 |archive-date=September 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902114522/https://screenrant.com/gen-v-season-2-sister-sage-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |}
===Stage=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2008 | ''The Oedipus Cycle'' | Ismene |<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Theater - The Oedipus Cycle|url=http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/the-oedipus-cycle/|website=backstage|first= Karl|last=Levett |date= March 25, 2013|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref> |- | 2010 | ''Sabrina Fair'' | Sabrina |<ref>{{cite web|title=Photo Flash: SABRINA FAIR Plays the Ford Theatre Thru 10/24|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Photo-Flash-SABRINA-FAIR-Plays-the-Ford-Theatre-Thru-1024-20101002|website=broadwayworld.com|first=: Lauren |last=Wolman|date=October 2, 2010|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref> |- | 2013 | ''The Trip to Bountiful'' | Thelma | Apr 23, 2013 – Oct 09, 2013 |- | 2016 | ''The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois'' | Monique | |- | 2018–2019 | ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' | Rose Granger-Weasley | Mar 16, 2018 – Mar 17, 2019 |}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name}} *{{IBDB name}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heyward, Susan}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Actresses from Atlanta Category:American film actresses Category:American stage actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)