Naoko Mori
Naoko Mori 森 尚子 | |
|---|---|
 Mori at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International. | |
| Born | 29 November 1971 Nagoya, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Education | Royal Russell School |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer[1] |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Notable work | Absolutely Fabulous Casualty Doctor Who Torchwood |
Naoko Mori (森 尚子, Mori Naoko, born 29 November 1971) is a Japanese-British actress who lives and works mainly in the UK. Mori is best known for her roles in Torchwood and Absolutely Fabulous.
Early life
Mori was born in Nagoya, Japan. When Mori was four years old, she moved to New Jersey, USA due to her father's work. She returned to Japan when she was ten and moved to London two years later. When her parents were posted back to Japan, Mori was given the choice of either moving back to Japan with her parents or remaining in London on her own.[2] She chose to stay in London, partly because she wanted to finish her GCSEs and gain some qualifications.[2] She attended the Royal Russell School. Mori's father opened a bank account for her, handed her a cheque book and told her to find a flat or a bed sit for herself to live in. Mori said that being on her own at such a young age helped her to be a very independent person, although it was still a scary world to be faced so young.[2]
Acting career
While studying for her A-levels, she auditioned and joined London's West End production of Miss Saigon. She later went on to play Kim and became the first ever Japanese national to play a lead role in the West End.[3] From 1993–1994, Mori had a regular role on the hospital drama Casualty as the hospital receptionist Mie Nishikawa. Film roles followed, including appearances in the 1997 musical comedy movie "Spice World" and Topsy-Turvy (1999). Mori also appeared in the television programmes Thief Takers (1997), Judge John Deed (2001), Spooks (2002), Mile High (2003)[4] and Powers (2004).[5] In 1995, she had a small role as a Japanese computer hacker in the film Hackers. Mori had a major role in the 2005 BBC docu-drama Hiroshima, which contained dramatic re-enactments of the 1945 atomic bombing. Mori also provided the voice acting for the villainess Mai Hem for the game Perfect Dark Zero.
Also in 2005, Mori had a small role as Dr Sato in the Doctor Who episode "Aliens of London". Producer Russell T Davies took note of her performance and decided to bring the character back as a regular in the first two series of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.[6] Mori's Torchwood character, Toshiko Sato, was killed in "Exit Wounds", the final episode of Torchwood's second series, but has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the show at a later date.[7] She returned to the West End on 20 November 2006, when she took over the role of Christmas Eve from Ann Harada in the London production of Avenue Q, a role which she played until 14 April 2007.[8] Mori portrayed Yoko Ono in the BBC Four production Lennon Naked, which was broadcast in the UK on 23 Wednesday June 2010.[9] The film reunited her with Christopher Eccleston, who played John Lennon, opposite whom she played Dr Sato in her Doctor Who appearance. Before joining Torchwood, Mori acted as Kim in Miss Saigon alongside future co-star John Barrowman as Chris.
Mori appeared in the movie Everest (2015), as Yasuko Namba,[10] opposite Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Keira Knightley.
Personal life
Mori is a Japanese Buddhist.[11] Mori has an elder brother whom she grew up with alongside her parents in New Jersey. At the young age of 16 or 17 she moved into a flat on her own in London. This was when her career expanded. She wanted to become a singer before she was an actress.[12]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Desmond's | Caroline | TV Episode: Growing Pains |
| 1992–2011 | Absolutely Fabulous | Sarah | 12 Episodes |
| 1993–1994 | Casualty | Mie Nishi-Kawa | 7 Episodes |
| 1995 | Hackers | Tokyo Hacker | |
| 1997 | Spice World | Nicola | |
| Thief Takers | Minako Takahashi | TV Episode: Brand Loyalty & Black Mist | |
| 1998 | Bugs | Melissa | TV Episode: Jewel Control |
| 1999 | Psychos | Mariko Harris | 6 Episodes |
| Topsy-Turvy | Miss 'Sixpence Please' | ||
| 2000 | Running Time | Michelle | |
| 2001 | Judge John Deed | Mutsumi Yesayahoo | TV Episode: Appropriate Response & Rough Justice |
| 2002 | Murder in Mind | Naomi | TV Episode: Rage |
| Spooks | Annette | TV Episode: The Rose Bed Memoirs | |
| Doctors | Molly Fletcher | TV Episode: Feet of Clay | |
| 2003 | Manchild | Geisha Girl | |
| Mile High | Natsumi | TV Episode: Series One, Episode 13 | |
| 2004 | The Smoking Room | Naoko | |
| 2005 | Doctor Who | Doctor Sato | TV Episode: Aliens of London |
| Genji: Dawn of the Samurai | Shizuka, Additional Voices | Video game | |
| Hiroshima | Shige Hiratsuka | ||
| Hot Tub Ranking | Mia | 6 Episodes | |
| Perfect Dark Zero | Mai Hem | Video game | |
| 2006 | Little Miss Jocelyn | Beautician | TV Episode: Series One, Episode 5 |
| Genji: Days of the Blade | Shizuka | Video game | |
| 2006–2009 | Torchwood | Toshiko Sato | Two full series 26 Episodes |
| 2009 | Maneater | Morgan Tan | |
| 2010 | Lennon Naked | Yoko Ono | One-off TV movie role [13] |
| 2011 | Private Practice | Patricia Ramsey | TV Episode: If You Don’t Know Me By Now |
| Three Inches | Annika | TV Episode: Pilot (Main Cast) | |
| 2012 | Vexed | Satchi Kyoto | |
| Suspension of Disbelief | Floy | ||
| Rocket's Island | Liz | 2 Episodes | |
| The Revolting World of Stanley Brown | Sarah Stripe | TV Episode: "Hiccupalypse" | |
| 2015 | Midsomer Murders | Nadia Simons | Episode 17.4 "A Vintage Murder" |
| Humans | Fiona | Episode #1.4 "Episode #1.4" | |
| Everest | Yasuko Namba | ||
| You, Me and the Apocalypse | Nocturnapram Professor | TV Episode: "Home Sweet Home" | |
| 2016 | The Amazing World of Gumball | Yuki Yoshida (voice) | TV Episode: "The Fury" |
References
- ^ "Avenue Q – royal Variety Performance" YouTube
- ^ a b c "The Wright Stuff – Naoko Mori and the papers" YouTube video
- ^ "グローバルキャスティング： 映画・テレビドラマ・CMのオーディション・エキストラ募集情報" (in Japanese). Global Casting. Archived from the original on 17 October 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Episode Guide". Mile High fansite. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
- ^ Action TV Online – Powers episode guide
- ^ "Torchwood's latest members". BBC Press Office. Retrieved 24 April 2006..
- ^ "Naoko Mori ('Torchwood') – Torchwood Interview – TV – Digital Spy". Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- ^ "Avenue Q preview review". Retrieved 20 October 2006.
- ^ "FATHERHOOD SEASON – Lennon Naked" 23 June 2010, BBC
- ^ Puchko, Kristy (4 May 2014). "Keira Knightly tackles Everest with Jake Gyllenhaal". cinemablend.com.
- ^ Gordon, Carole (1 January 2007). "Interview with Torchwood star Naoko Mori". Eclipse Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 January 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2007.
- ^ "Interview: NAOKO MORI from TORCHWOOD (Part One)" at Daemon's TV web site
- ^
Conlan, Tara (27 November 2009). "Former Doctor Who to play John Lennon". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
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| National | |
| People | |
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