Jessica Yu-Li Henwick is a British actress, writer, and director who has made significant strides in both mainstream and independent cinema. Born on August 30, 1992, in Surrey, England, she is recognized for her dynamic roles in major franchises such as Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Iron Fist, and The Matrix Resurrections. Henwick’s directorial debut, Bus Girl, was nominated for a BAFTA award, showcasing her multifaceted talent in the film industry.
Personal Life
| Original/Real Name |
Jessica Yu-Li Henwick |
| Other/Nickname |
N/A |
| Profession/Occupation |
Actress, Writer, Director |
| Birthplace |
Surrey, England |
| Nationality |
British |
| Age |
32 (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth |
August 30, 1992 |
| Hometown |
Surrey, England |
| Caste/Religion |
N/A |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign |
Virgo |
| Current career status |
Active |
Physical Appearance
| Height (Centimeters) |
170 cm (5’7″) |
| Weight (Kilograms) |
55 kg |
| Body Measurements |
N/A |
| Hair Color |
Dark Brown |
| Eye’s Color |
Dark Brown |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Parents |
Mark Henwick (Father), Pearlyn Goh Kun Shan (Mother) |
| Father’s name |
Mark Henwick (Author) |
| Mother’s name |
Pearlyn Goh Kun Shan |
| Brother’s name |
Two brothers (names not publicly disclosed) |
| Sister’s name |
N/A |
Marital Status, Affairs, Boyfriends, Kids & Relationship
| Boyfriend |
Johnny Yang (rumored) |
| Dating |
Not publicly confirmed |
| Marital Status |
Unmarried |
| Spouse/Husband |
N/A |
| Son |
N/A |
| Daughter |
N/A |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| School |
Collingwood College, Camberley |
| College/University |
Redroofs Theatre School; National Youth Theatre |
| Educational Qualification |
Trained in acting |
Controversies
Jessica Henwick has maintained a relatively controversy-free public image.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Favorite Food |
Japanese and Korean cuisine |
| Favorite Movie |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Actor |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Actress |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Color |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Designer |
Dimitra Petsa |
| Favorite Destination |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Cafe |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Daily Wear Brand |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Book |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite Athlete |
Not publicly disclosed |
Money/Net Worth
| Salary |
Not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth |
Estimated at $3 million |
Contact Information
| Official Website |
N/A |
| E-Mail Address |
N/A |
| Phone Number |
N/A |
| House Address |
N/A |
Social Media
Personal Quote
“I always knew that I was meant to tell stories in some form; it’s in my blood.”
Early Life and Career
Jessica Henwick was born to a Singaporean-Chinese mother and an English father in Surrey, England. Growing up, she spent much of her time exploring local forests with her brothers, fostering a deep appreciation for nature. Henwick began her acting journey with training at Redroofs Theatre School and the National Youth Theatre. Her breakthrough came in 2010 when she was cast as Bo in the CBBC series Spirit Warriors, making her the first East Asian actress to play the lead role in a British television series.
She gained international recognition with her role as Nymeria Sand in HBO’s Game of Thrones (2015–2017). Henwick also appeared as X-wing pilot Jessika Pava in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). Her portrayal of Colleen Wing in Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017–2018) further solidified her status in the industry. In 2021, she starred as Bugs in The Matrix Resurrections.
Current Life/Events
In recent years, Henwick has expanded her repertoire to include writing and directing. Her short film Bus Girl was nominated for a BAFTA award in 2023. She also starred in Netflix’s The Gray Man and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in 2022. In 2023, she appeared in The Royal Hotel, receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about Jessica Henwick:
- Jessica Henwick was the first East Asian actress to play the lead role in a British television series, starring as Bo in Spirit Warriors.
- Her father, Mark Henwick, is a published author known for the Bite Back urban fantasy series.
- She is of mixed heritage—her mother is Singaporean-Chinese and her father is British.
- Jessica trained in martial arts for her roles and performed most of her own stunts in shows like Iron Fist.
- She was initially invited to audition for the role of Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which eventually went to Daisy Ridley, but she still appeared in the film as X-wing pilot Jessika Pava.
- Her directorial debut Bus Girl was nominated for a BAFTA award in 2023.
- Besides acting, she is an accomplished writer and has developed her own film and television projects.
- Jessica often chooses to wear sustainable fashion on the red carpet and supports environmentally conscious brands.
- She turned down a role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in favor of another creative project.
- She was one of the finalists for the lead role in Disney’s live-action Mulan.
- Jessica is a strong advocate for Asian representation in Hollywood and frequently speaks about the importance of diversity in media.
