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.
Known For
Beyond the Gates
Tracy · (3 episodes)
2025
Beyond the Gates
Tracy Tyler · (1 episode)
2025
Christmas in the Friendly Skies
Rochelle
2024
Summer Camp
Judy
2024
To Her, With Love
Maya
2022
Sons 2 the Grave
Ruth Jennings
2022
A Christmas Love Story
Carol
2019
Homeless Ashes
Virginia
2019
The Resident
Judge Lola Rawlins · (1 episode)
2018
American Made
NSC Woman
2017
Hidden Figures
Ms. Sumner
2016
Speechless
Christine (voice) · (1 episode)
2016
Allegiant
Council Member
2016
Christmas Wedding Baby
2014
Addicted
Nina
2014
The Good Lie
INS Agent
2014
Finding Carter
Delilah Castro · (1 episode)
2014
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Seeder
2013
Devious Maids
Ida Hayes · (7 episodes)
2013
Revolution
Grace Beaumont · (10 episodes)
2012
What to Expect When You're Expecting
Jules' Doctor
2012
The Blind Side
CPS Welfare Worker
2009
The Vampire Diaries
Mrs. Halpern · (1 episode)
2009
The Vampire Diaries
Ayana · (1 episode)
2009
Army Wives
Major Barcenilla · (1 episode)
2007
Daddy's Little Girls
Wife
2007
Criminal Minds
Dr. Lode Barren · (1 episode)
2005
Linda
Shirley
1993
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Scandal of 1920
Goldie
1993
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Mystery of the Blues
Goldie
1993
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
Goldie · (1 episode)
1992
The Color Purple
Church Choir Soloist (uncredited)
1985