Danai Gurira first made waves in the play, In the Continuum, a critically acclaimed play that was performed in both Africa and the US. The play focused on the problem of AIDS in African and African-American women and showcased the lives of two women living parallel lives in South Central, L.A., and Harare, Zimbabwe. She co-wrote the play with Nikkole Salter, her co-actress.

She is now starring in another film, The Visitor, a story about an immigrant couple, Tarek and Esi (Haaz Sleiman and Danai Gurira), that is duped into renting an apartment from a friend, even though it isn’t his. The real owner, professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins), shows up and strikes up a friendship with the couple. Tarek gets arrested for jumping a stuck subway turnstile, despite the fact that he had paid. The police discover he does not have legal papers and transfer him to an immigrant detention center in Queens. Walter decides to try and help him. Tarek’s mother (Hiam Abbass) doesn’t hear from her son and shows up to find out what is going on. She meets the professor and they try to find a way to help Tarek. It showcases the treatment of immigrants, post 9-11, and highlights the humanity that shows up when people come together to right a wrong and learn from each other.

Danai has also been on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and will be in an upcoming movie, Ghost Town which is currently in production.