Ayo Edebiri is solidifying her status as the new It Girl in Hollywood. You have probably seen her walking the red carpet, accepting awards, or possibly in your favorite movies and television shows. Edebiri has been getting high praise for her current role as Sydney, a sous chef, in the television show The Bear as well as having her directorial debut this season for “Napkins,” the 6th episode of season 3. For her performance as Sydney, Edebiri received an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In addition to her success in The Bear, she also stars in the box-office hit Inside Out 2, voicing the character Envy.
But even before her performance in The Bear grabbed the public’s attention, Ayo Edebiri was killing it in a variety of shows and movies. She has been acting for the past 10 years and has cultivated an impressive filmography. Edebiri is also a gifted writer who might have even been behind the scenes of some of your favorite movies or television shows. Let’s catch up on Ayo Edebiri’s catalog of work as she continues on her rise to stardom.
Photo by @todayshow
Ayo Edebiri’s Writing
Starting off as a stand-up comedian, Edebiri has a knack for witty writing and comedic timing. She got her start on Sunnyide, an NBC sitcom, as a staff editor and then went on to write the 8th episode of the show called “Too Many Lumpies.” She has also written on several other shows including Dickinson, What We Do in the Shadows, and Big Mouth.
Ayo Edebiri’s Acting
In addition to writing for some of your favs, Edebiri has a very impressive list of on-screen roles. In 2023 she starred in Bottoms, a movie about two outcast high school lesbians. That same year, she was in Theater Camp, and voice acted for characters in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Ayo also has a main role on Big Mouth, taking over for Jenny Slate as Missy after Slate stepped down from the role. She has also appeared in two episodes of Dickinson, in Abbott Elementary as a recurring character, and in the popular episode of Black Mirror, “Joan Is Awful”.
Get Caught Up
If you’re still new to Edebiri’s work, here are 3 movies and 3 shows that Ayo has starred in that you do not want to miss out on.
Movies
Bottoms
Bottoms follows two unpopular high school senior girls, Josie (Edebiri) and PJ (Rachel Sennott), who are the “ugly, untalented gays” at school. When threatened with expulsion for “fighting” the star quarterback, Josie and PJ claim that they are part of a women’s self-defense club and they were only practicing. Now, to keep up appearances (and also win the attention of their cheerleader crushes) the girls start a fight club.
Theater Camp
Theater Camp follows a group of summer camp counselors in Upstate New York who are desperately trying to keep their theater camp open. When the owner’s “business influencer” son inherits the camp, he and the counselors have to get over their differences and come together to save their beloved summer home. Edebiri plays Janet Walch, a new camp counselor.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem follows your favorite turtles, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, as they come out of hiding and venture out into the real world hoping to be accepted as normal teenagers. They quickly become friends with the aspiring reporter April O’Neil (played by Edebiri). With April’s help, the Mutant Ninja Turtles attempt to take over a covert crime syndicate.
Television Shows
Big Mouth
Big Mouth follows a group of 7th graders as they are tormented by their hormone monsters. The kids face the challenges of puberty, changes in their body, sexual desires, menstruation, and more. Edebiri plays Missy, a nerdy, socially awkward girl from season 4 on.
Dickinson
Dickinson describes the life of Emily Dickinson, the renowned poet, as she struggles with gender roles, her sexual identity, and her poetry. This show is unique in a way that modern music, language, and themes are used throughout the historical show. Edebiri is both a writer for this show and appears in several episodes playing Hattie, a medium who works as a maid in the Dickinson house.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary follows the lives of the teachers working at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School where most new teachers don’t stay past 2 years. The school is mismanaged and underfunded and when the new principal is hired, it seems like it couldn’t get any worse. Edebiri plays the recurring character Ayesha Teagues, sister of Janine, one of the main teachers in the show.
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