{{Short description|Nigerian-American Actress}} {{Infobox person | name = Zephani Idoko | image = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|3|17}} | birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2016–present }} '''Zephani Idoko''' is a Nigerian-American actress best known for her role as Sallay in Blumhouse and Amazon Studios' ''Nanny'', (written and directed by Nikyatu Jusu) which won the top award (The Grand Jury Prize) at Sundance Film Festival. She's also known for her starring role as Abena in Horror film ''The Unsettling'' and for playing Stephanie on the Starz show Power book II: Ghost and Ashley on HBO Max's Gossip Girl<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zephani Idoko Talks 'Nanny,' 'Gossip Girl,' and Making Horror Films - OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/nanny-film-zephani-idoko/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == Zephani Idoko was born in Lagos, Nigeria to parents Deborah and John Idoko as the youngest of six siblings. After moving to the United States, she earned a BFA degree studying Acting under Diane Baker at the Academy Of Art in San Francisco, California. Idoko began working as an actor and model while still an undergraduate. She moved to New York City upon graduating.
== Career == Shortly after her graduation and move to New York City, She was cast in the starring role of Abena in the independent psychological horror film ''The Unsettling''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Unsettling |url=https://mpimedia.com/film/the-unsettling/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=MPI Media |language=en-US}}</ref> which screened at international film festivals in Australia, The UK and The US in 2021 and 2022<ref>{{Cite web|title=Movie mayhem is unleashed when A Night of Horror festival stalks you online|url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/film/a-night-of-horror-international-film-festival|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Time Out Sydney|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cine-Excess 15: Screenings - Cine-Excess|url=https://www.cine-excess.co.uk/the-screenings-bodies-as-battlegrounds.html|access-date=2022-01-25|website=www.cine-excess.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Unsettling {{!}} The Unsettling - 2nd Look {{!}} NYC HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2021|url=https://watch.eventive.org/nychff21/play/617cbc5df1db0c003ea91b04/617cb38328e01b0029ff6b7a|access-date=2022-01-25|website=watch.eventive.org|language=en}}</ref>l<ref>{{Cite web |title=Features |url=https://www.chattfilmfest.org/features |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Chattanooga Film Festival |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006182838/https://www.chattfilmfest.org/features |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Muir |first=Nathaniel |date=2022-06-27 |title='The Unsettling': More than another haunted house story |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/06/27/cff-the-unsettling-african-haunted-house/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |language=en-us}}</ref> before its release on February 10, 2023 in theaters and on Apple TV+, Prime Video and other streaming platforms. Idoko's more recent TV appearances include the recurring role of Stephanie in Starz show Power Book II: Ghost and her role in the 2nd season of HBO Max's Gossip Girl. In late 2025, the UK-set romantic comedy series Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas was released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36260876/ |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=www.imdb.com}}</ref> Idoko plays Sarah in 5 of the 6 episodes in this Limited series starring Mae Whitman.
In June 2021, it was announced that Idoko was cast in the supporting role of Sallay in Blumhouse and Amazon Studios' psychological Horror film, ''Nanny'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=2021-04-13|title=Stay Gold Features & Topic Studios Team On Horror Film 'Nanny' From Nikyatu Jusu|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/stay-gold-features-topic-studios-nanny-nikyatu-jusu-1234733360/|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> Which Premiered at Sundance Film Festival<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2022-01-20|title=The 10 Films We're Most Excited to See at Sundance|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/01/the-10-films-were-most-excited-to-see-at-sundance|access-date=2022-01-25|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sperling|first=Nicole|date=2021-12-09|title=Sundance Film Festival Unveils 2022 Lineup That Reflects 'Age of Reckoning'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/movies/sundance-2022-lineup.html|access-date=2022-01-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 2022 and won the Grand Jury Prize<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|date=2022-01-29|title=Sundance: 'Nanny' and 'The Exiles' Take Top Prizes at 2022 Fest|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sundance-film-festival-winners-2022-nanny-exiles-1235083659/|access-date=2022-01-30|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref> in the dramatic competition. Idoko has discussed the film and her career in a number of interviews, including her feature in [https://www.photobookmagazine.com/features/zephani-idoko Photobook Magazine].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seth |first=Kenisha |date=2021 |title=Zephani Idoko stars as Abena in "The Unsettling" - a psychological horror film |url=https://www.photobookmagazine.com/features/zephani-idoko |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=PhotoBook Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> and with OkayAfrica<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zephani Idoko Talks 'Nanny,' 'Gossip Girl,' and Making Horror Films - OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/nanny-film-zephani-idoko/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}</ref> Nanny screened in the Special Presentations category at TIFF in September 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-07-28 |title=Toronto Film Festival Expecting "Full Houses", Says CEO With Star Power World Premieres: Jennifer Lawrence's 'Causeway', Anya Taylor-Joy's 'The Menu', Jessica Chastain's 'The Good Nurse', Jonathan Majors & Glen Powell's 'Devotion' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/2022-toronto-film-festival-lineup-movies-list-1235079516/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> and at several other festivals including BFI London Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stottor |first=William |date=2022-10-08 |title=Nanny: Interview with Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan & Zephani Idoko |url=https://loudandclearreviews.com/nanny-interview-anna-diop-michelle-monaghan-zephani-idoko-2022-movie-red-carpet-film/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Loud And Clear Reviews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradbury |first=Sarah |title=Nanny: On the red carpet with Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Nikyatu Jusu and Zephani Idoko at London Film Festival 2022 |url=https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2022/10/15/nanny-on-the-red-carpet-with-anna-diop-michelle-monaghan-nikyatu-jusu-and-zephani-idoko-at-london-film-festival-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=The Upcoming}}</ref> AFI FEST<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI FEST 2022 {{!}} NANNY |url=https://fest.afi.com/movies/nanny/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=AFI FEST |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI FEST 2022 {{!}} Photos |url=https://fest.afi.com/photos/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=AFI FEST |language=en}}</ref> and AFRIFF<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opening Films |url=https://www.afriff.com/openingfilms |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Afriff |language=en}}</ref> in Lagos Nigeria, where Idoko was born. Nanny was released in movie theaters November 23, 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2022-08-01 |title=Prime Video Dates Fall Movie Slate: Harry Styles' 'My Policeman', Lena Dunham's 'Catherine Called Birdy', Sylvester Stallone's 'Samaritan', 'Good Night Oppy' & More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/amazon-movies-release-dates-harry-styles-my-policeman-sylveter-stallone-samaritan-1235082314/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Nanny |date=2022-11-22 |url=http://www.amctheatres.com/movies/nanny-70617 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-30}}</ref> followed by a Prime Video streaming release on December 16, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nanny |url=https://press.amazonstudios.com/us/en/original-movies/nanny |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=press.amazonstudios.com |archive-date=2022-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014094330/https://press.amazonstudios.com/us/en/original-movies/nanny |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2016 |Die Dopelganger |Salon Receptionist |Short Film |- |2017 |Offsprung |Make-up Artist |Short film |- |2018 |Can Collector |Michelle |Short film |- |2019 |A Woman of No Importance |Yosola |Short Film. Formerly titled Ismat. Screened at 2019 Columbia University Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ismat|url=https://www.cufilmfest.arts.columbia.edu/2019-films/ismat|access-date=2022-02-01|website=Columbia University Film Festival|language=en-US}}</ref>
Premiered at Flickerfest 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flickerfest {{!}} A Woman Of No Importance|url=https://flickerfest.com.au/film/a-woman-of-no-importance/|access-date=2022-02-01}}</ref>
Official selection at Short of the Week<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Woman of No Importance by Gauri Adelkar {{!}} A Short Drama |url=https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2022/08/02/woman-no-importance |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Short of the Week}}</ref> in 2022
Released as Vimeo [https://vimeo.com/735273560 Staff Pick] |- |2021 |''[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4772204/?ref_=nm_knf_t1 The Unsettling]'' |Abena |Screened at festivals in Australia, the United Kingdom, NYC and Chattanooga in 2021 and 2022.
General release February 10, 2023. |- |2022 |Nanny |Sallay |Winner: Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival 2022 |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2017 |[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8640728/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_8 Bad Henry] |Caroline Love |Investigation Discovery film |- |2021 |Power Book II: Ghost |Stephanie |2 episodes |- |2022 |Gossip Girl |Ashley |Season 2 episode 6 |- |2025 |Twelve Dates 'Til Chrismas |Sarah |5 episodes |}
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> <references />
== External links ==
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7483084/?ref_=tt_cl_t_1 Zephani Idoko] at IMDb
{{DEFAULTSORT:Idoko, Zephani}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:American film actresses Category:Actresses from San Francisco Category:American television actresses Category:American people of Nigerian descent Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses