Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut
EducationUniversity of North Carolina, Greensboro (BFA)
OccupationsActress, writer
Years active2014–present

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut is an American actress and writer who has worked on Broadway, film and television. She is best known for her roles as Ensign Sidney La Forge in the third season of Star Trek: Picard (2023) and Doctor Naomi Howard in Chicago Med.

Early life

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut was born in Gainesville, Florida to Leslie Sharpe Chestnut and Charles S. Chestnut IV[1] and was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chestnut attended Northwest School of the Arts with a major in Theatre and a minor in Dance.[2] In 2015, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro's School of Music, Theatre and Dance.[3]

Stage credits

Year Title Role Theater Notes
2014 Brother Wolf Shadow Triad Stage Independent regional theater near
UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts
A Christmas Carol Belle
2016 The Crucible Susanna Walcott[4] Walter Kerr Theatre Broadway debut
2017 A Doll's House, Part 2 Emmy John Golden Theatre Understudy

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Gotham Officer Katherine Parks Episode: "A Bitter Pill to Swallow"
2016 The Mysteries of Laura Becky Episode: "The Mystery of the Dark Heart"
2016–2017 Homeland Simone Bah Recurring role (season 6)
2018 The Good Fight Rachelle Dabrezil Episode: "Day 464"
Amazon Studios: Panic Natalie Williams Main cast, unaired pilot,[5]
2019 Instinct Theresa Daniels Episode: "Grey Matter"
Prodigal Son Islande Episode: "The Trip"
2020 Give or Take Stella
2021 Cruel Summer Ashley Wallis[6] 2 episodes
National Parks Investigation Penny Stanton Unaired pilot[7]
2022 Rap Sh!t Fatima Assan Recurring Guest Star (season 1)
2022–2023 NCIS: Los Angeles FBI Special Agent Summer Morehurst 2 episodes
2023 Our Deadly Vows Stacey ABFF, Bentonville Film Festival[8]
Star Trek: Picard Ensign Sidney La Forge 10 episodes (season 3)[9]
The Ready Room Herself Episode: "The Bounty"
2024 Dear Luke, Love Me Madison
Mistletoe & Matrimony Olivia Morris Television film
2024–2026 Chicago Med Doctor Naomi Howard Recurring Guest Star (seasons 9–11)

References

  1. ^ Harrell, Gershon (December 29, 2022). "Gainesville Actress Reflects on career as She Prepares for New Star Trek Role". Entertainment. The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2026. ...a long way from performing skits in front of her family in her Alachua County home. The Gainesville native has appeared...
  2. ^ Jones, Okla (June 3, 2025). "Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut On Fame, Representation, And The Journey From Stage To Screen". Entertainment. Essence. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  3. ^ Harrison, Elizabeth L. (November 12, 2018). "Alumna Lands Role on New Amazon Studios Pilot". Features. UNCG News. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  4. ^ Brantley, Ben (March 31, 2016). "Review: In Arthur Miller's Crucible, First They Came for the Witches". Theater. The New York Times. p. C1. Archived from the original on October 27, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 28, 2018). "Panic: Olivia Welch, Mike Faist & Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut To Star In Amazon YA Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Hunt, Rachel (May 7, 2021). "Cruel Summer: Who is Kate's Stepsister Ashley? Here's Why She Looks So Familiar". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  7. ^ Otterson, Joe (July 1, 2021). "ABC Passes on Three Drama Pilots, Including Kevin Costner's National Parks Investigation". TV. Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  8. ^ "Virtual Movie Monday Kickoff with BFF 2020 Alumni Film: Farewell" (Press release). BFFOUNDATION. October 2, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2026 – via Bentonville Film Festival.
  9. ^ Maas, Jennifer (October 8, 2022). "Star Trek: Picard Reunites Next Generation Cast, Announces Return of Classic Enemies in New Season 3 Trailer". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2026.