If you’ve been keeping up with the chaos of Yellowjackets, you definitely know Nia Sondaya. She stepped into the role of Akilah in Season 2, replacing Keeya King, and honestly? She made the character her own so fast that most of us barely blinked. It’s one of those rare casting swaps that just works. But if you think her career started and ended in the Canadian wilderness, you're missing out on some pretty cool stuff.
Nia isn’t just a "new face" on a hit show. She’s a Pittsburgh-born powerhouse who grew up in the theater. We’re talking over 20 plays before she even left high school. She basically lived in rehearsal rooms since she was seven because her mother was a poet and actress. That kind of background gives an actor a different level of "grit." You can see it in how she handles the high-stress, cannibal-adjacent vibes of her TV work.
Breaking Down Nia Sondaya Movies and TV Shows
Most people jump straight to the big-budget stuff, but Nia’s filmography is a mix of gritty shorts and prestige drama. She’s picky about her projects. She’s mentioned before that she wants to tell stories that actually matter, which is why her resume isn’t just filled with random background filler.
The Big Break: Yellowjackets (2023–2025)
Taking over a role is terrifying. Taking over a role in a show with a fanbase as intense as Yellowjackets? That's a whole other level of pressure. Nia stepped in as Akilah for Season 2 and continued through the record-breaking Season 3, which premiered in February 2025.
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She brings this quiet, observant energy to Akilah. In a group where everyone is basically losing their minds, her character often feels like the one trying to keep some semblance of humanity—even when things get, well, dark. Season 3 really pushed her character to the brink, and fans are already speculating about her fate for the confirmed Season 4, which is expected to drop in late 2026.
Truth Be Told (2023)
Before she was dodging wolves, she was in the Apple TV+ series Truth Be Told. She played Trini Killebrew in the third season. Working alongside Octavia Spencer is basically a masterclass in acting, and Nia held her own. The show deals with true crime and the fallout of public obsession, and Nia’s performance was one of those "wait, who is that?" moments for casting directors.
Short Films and Early Work
Don't sleep on her short films. They’re where she really honed her "acting for the camera" skills after moving to LA at 18.
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- Heart Shot (2022): This is a Netflix short directed by Marielle Woods. It’s a mix of teen romance and high-stakes action. Nia plays Ty, one of the leads. It’s only about 19 minutes long, but it’s intense.
- The Rebel Girls (2024): A more recent project directed by Felicia D. Henderson.
- Hard (2022): Another short that showed her range before the big TV offers started rolling in.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Her Right Now
It’s currently early 2026, and the buzz is all about where Nia goes next. Since Yellowjackets Season 3 shattered streaming records for Paramount+, her stock has gone through the roof. She was recently seen at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Christina Ricci in March 2025, looking every bit the rising star.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there, though. You might see her name linked to random "leaked" cast lists for huge blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash or Stranger Things 5. Let’s be clear: there is no official confirmation for those. Sites like Filmaffinity sometimes aggregate "suggested" lists or user-generated wishlists that get confused for real credits. As of right now, her primary focus remains the Yellowjackets universe and smaller, high-impact indie projects.
What's Actually on the Horizon?
If you’re looking for "Nia Sondaya movies and tv shows" that are confirmed for the near future, the list is focused but promising.
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- Yellowjackets Season 4: This is the big one. Production is expected to pick up later this year for a late 2026 release.
- Voice Work & Cameos: She’s been active on platforms like Cameo, connecting with the "Citizen Detectives" (the Yellowjackets fanbase).
- Indie Circuits: Word is she’s looking at a few dramatic features that lean back into her theater roots—think August Wilson or Lorraine Hansberry vibes.
Honestly, Nia is in that "sweet spot" of a career. She’s recognizable enough to lead a show but still has that "undiscovered talent" energy that makes every new role feel like an event. She’s not just a replacement actress anymore; she’s a staple of the prestige TV era.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch "Heart Shot" on Netflix: It's the best way to see her lead a project outside of an ensemble cast.
- Rewatch Yellowjackets Season 3: Pay attention to the subtle shifts in Akilah’s body language—it’s where Nia does her best work.
- Check Official Portals: Avoid the "fandom rumor" sites. If you want to know her real upcoming roles, stick to Deadline or her verified Instagram for casting announcements.