Bio

Sakina can currently be seen on the TNT Drama “Snowpiercer” where she plays scientist Mrs. Headwood and on Apple’s limited series “Defending Jacob” where she plays district attorney Lynn Canavan. She was a series regular on the NBC series “Timeless,” playing the role of Agent Denise Christopher. Sakina starred as White House Chief of Staff Linda Vasquez in the Netflix series “House of Cards,” directed and produced by David Fincher.

She has recurred on “Little Voice,” the Apple series created by Sara Bareilles, Jessie Nelson and JJ Abrams. Sakina can also be seen as Captain Willa Kamal on "Lost in Space” for Netflix, as Mamaji in Neil Gaiman’s "American Gods” for Starz, and Carrie Mathison's psychiatrist Dr. Meyer on “Homeland” for Showtime.

Recent films include RED SPARROW, directed by Francis Lawrence, Noah Baumbach’s THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES and EQUALIZER 2, directed by Antoine Fuqua. Greatest hits include her role as ‘Nilma,' Kate Hudson’s bat-wielding neighbor, in Garry Marshall’s RAISING HELEN. Among her dozens of films, she has had the privilege of working with Jonathan Demme, James Ivory, Sidney Lumet and Frank Oz.

A native New Yorker, Sakina danced as a child with the Joffrey Ballet and made her acting debut at 17 in Wallace Shawn’s MARIE AND BRUCE at the Public Theatre. She has played lead roles in ROMEO AND JULIET at Williamstown Theatre Festival and ALICE IN WONDERLAND at the Kennedy Center. She appeared in the groundbreaking Off Broadway hit SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Rachel Chavkin.