Acting · Gastonia, North Carolina, USA
Wanda Maria Howell is an American actress and also a singer. Maria was born in Gastonia, North Carolina and graduated from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Howell worked as a jazz singer and made her film debut in The Color Purple. She lived in Okinawa, Japan, from 1995-2001. She made guest appearances on the television series Drop Dead Diva, Army Wives, The Game, Necessary Roughness, and The Vampire Diaries, and as well as co-starred in films that include Daddy's Little Girls, Mississippi Damned, The Blind Side, and What to Expect When You're Expecting. In 2013, Howell played Seeder in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Also in 2012, she was cast in the recurring NBC television series Revolution as Grace Beaumont, and in 2013 she plays Ida Hayes in the m comedy-drama Devious Maids.
TVBeyond the Gates
2025
as Tracy
MovieChristmas in the Friendly Skies
2024
as Rochelle
MovieSummer Camp
2024
as Judy
MovieTo Her, With Love
2022
as Maya
MovieGigi & Nate
2022
as Chairman Filling
MovieSons 2 the Grave
2022
as Ruth Jennings
MovieA Christmas Love Story
2019
as Carol
MovieHomeless Ashes
2019
as Virginia
TVThe Resident
2018
as Judge Lola Rawlins
MovieAmerican Made
2017
as NSC Woman
MovieHidden Figures
2016
as Ms. Sumner
TVSpeechless
2016
as Christine (voice)
MovieAllegiant
2016
as Council Member
MovieChristmas Wedding Baby
2014
MovieAddicted
2014
as Nina
MovieThe Good Lie
2014
as INS Agent
TVFinding Carter
2014
as Delilah Castro
MovieThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2013
as Seeder
TVDevious Maids
2013
as Ida Hayes
TVRevolution
2012
as Grace Beaumont
MovieWhat to Expect When You're Expecting
2012
as Jules' Doctor
MovieFirelight
2012
as Mrs. Easle
TVPast Life
2010
as Mrs. Connors
MovieThe Blind Side
2009
as CPS Welfare Worker
TVThe Vampire Diaries
2009
as Mrs. Halpern
MovieLiving Proof
2008
as Kate
TVArmy Wives
2007
as Major Barcenilla
MovieDaddy's Little Girls
2007
as Wife
TVCriminal Minds
2005
as Dr. Lode Barren
MovieThe Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Mystery of the Blues
1999
as Goldie
MovieThe Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Scandal of 1920
1999
as Goldie
MovieLinda
1993
as Shirley
TVThe Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
1992
as Goldie
MovieThe Color Purple
1985
as Church Choir Soloist (uncredited)
