Dawn Matthews, a South African-born actress and creator, is best known for her iconic role as Shakira on the television series Scandal!. Following her graduation from the University of Stellenbosch with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts, Dawn co-created the comedy TV series S.O.S, which was loosely based on her personal experiences as a black student at a previously whites-only university. The show explored her life living on campus in a racially mixed residence in post-apartheid South Africa.
As a bilingual individual fluent in both English and Afrikaans, Dawn made her breakthrough in the Afrikaans drama series Soutmansland. She soon became a household name after appearing in numerous long-running television series, including Egoli Place Of Gold, Song Vir Katryn, Interrogation Room, and Home Affairs. Additionally, she has appeared in various indie movies and shorts.
Dawn's career received a significant boost with her role in the movie Racing Stripes. However, it was her long-running soap opera Scandal! that catapulted her to international fame, earning her a massive following across Africa and the African diaspora. Throughout her career, Dawn has been featured on numerous magazine covers, making her one of the first black actresses to achieve success in post-apartheid South Africa.
Dawn has also made history by being one of the first South African celebrities to be featured on the genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are. After relocating to the United States, Dawn took a hiatus to raise her daughter. She eventually made her comeback on the popular television series NCIS, starring opposite Mark Harmon.
Currently, Dawn is focused on creating content for both the US and international markets, solidifying her status as a talented and versatile actress and creator.
