Meet Lashana Lynch, Star Of Shonda Rhimes's New Show

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Grey’s Anatomy.  Scandal.  How To Get Away with Murder.  The Catch. If you’ve got your finger on the pulse of all things Shonda Rhimes related, you undoubtedly know that her powerhouse production company, ShondaLand, is adding yet another sensation to its lineup: Still Star-Crossed.

Written by Heather Mitchell and based on the book by Melinda Taub, Still-Star Crossed takes place in 16th century Verona and features literature’s most famous couple, Romeo, and Juliet.  In fact, it takes off where Shakespeare’s classic opus ended.  But the ill-fated lovers aren’t the stars of the show.  Rosaline is.

Played by British actress Lashana Lynch, Rosaline is a Capulet and the headstrong cousin of Juliet, who is forced to marry a Montague named Benvolio. But Rosaline’s not exactly down for the cause.  This is the first period-piece drama we’ve seen from ShondaLand.  If it’s anything like the company’s other shows, it will quickly become a beloved part of the ABC family.

In honor of Lynch’s new and exciting role, here are some facts about the talented actress who will soon grace our television screen.

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U.S. Premiere

Lynch’s role as Rosaline in Still-Star Crossed will be her first appearance on American television.

Fast Girls

Lynch was in the 2012 British film Fast Girls (her big-screen debut), about a sprint relay team that competes in a major championship event.  For several weeks, Lynch trained for four hours a day and five days a week doing hurdles, weights, and 500 sit-ups a day.  By the end of her training, her fitness was at Olympic standards.

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Pipes

Before she became an actress, Lynch’s first love was music.  In fact, she began writing songs at 12 years old.  Some of her favorite singers are Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday and Etta James.

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Urban Voice

In 2001, Lynch was a finalist in Urban Voice, a UK competition.  Five years later, she was a finalist in UK Unsigned, winning in the category of singer/songwriter.

Tracks

You can check out some of Lynch’s R&B/soul music on Reverb Nation.

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Education

Lynch studied acting at London’s Arts Educational Schools, graduating in 2010.  There, she won the Laurence Olivier Bursary Award during her second year.

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Roots

Lynch’s grandmother, whom she referred to as her second mother, hails from Jamaica.

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TV

In addition to Silent Witness, Lynch has had roles in the British series The Bill as well as Atlantis, Death in Paradise, Crims and Doctors.

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Educating Rita

In 2015, Lynch played the title role in the play Educating Rita, alongside Sir Lenny Henry.