Millicent Simmonds

 Millicent (Millie) Simmonds is an American actress, is nominated for an BAFTA nomination. She is most well-known for Wonderstruck (2017) and A Quiet Place Part II (2018). Millicent is originally from Bountiful, Utah and at the age of five began acting and telling stories using American Sign Language. She joined the drama and theater club at the age of her primary school, playing Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream. She had no idea she would become an actress since she had never encountered Deaf characters like her on film or television. Her drama teacher received an email in 2016 with a casting request for the role of a Deaf actress to portray Rose in Wonderstruck, a film adaptation of Brian Selznick's novel. She quickly considered Millie and suggested she try. Millie submitted a one-take audition that was a huge success and brought Todd Haynes to tears. This was her most memorable performance. Wonderstruck and Millicent were premiered at Cannes as well as the New York Film Festival. Millicent was named one of the 2017's Breakthrough Entertainers by AP, and Time Magazine listed Rose as one of the top 10 Film Performances of the year. Millicent landed her next major role in the film Regan Abbott in John Krasinski's horror thriller A Quiet Place, working alongside Emily Blunt and Noah Jupe. Krasinski made it a point to cast Regan as a Deaf actor and using authentically American Sign Language. Her experiences served as sources and the basis for the sound and story of the film. A Quiet Place was a surprise critical darling, debuting at the South By Southwest Film Festival.