Behind the sharp wit and piercing stare of Bianca Barclay in Netflix’s hit series Wednesday is actress Joy Sunday, a rising star whose roots trace back to Nigeria. While global audiences know her as the queen bee of Nevermore Academy, Sunday’s journey into the spotlight has been shaped by discipline, culture, and a lifelong love for storytelling.

Born in Staten Island, New York, to Nigerian parents, Joy grew up in a household where hard work and creativity were central values. Her mother worked as a nurse’s assistant, her father as a social worker, and Joy spent much of her childhood immersed in books. Those early days of reading aloud to “imaginary kids” in her room planted the seeds of pacing, presence, and character work that would later define her craft.

Now 28, Sunday honed her skills at New York’s prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, whose alumni include stars like Nicki Minaj and Timothée Chalamet. She later studied at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating with honours in Critical Studies while also experimenting as a filmmaker with the Tribeca Film Institute.

Her screen career began with a guest appearance on MacGyver in 2016, followed by roles in projects like Justin Simien’s Bad Hair (which earned her a SAG card), the indie favourite Shithouse, and the darkly satirical The Beta Test. But it was her turn as Bianca in Wednesday that catapulted her into the global spotlight.

Bianca is a character that requires both steel and nuance, and Sunday delivers with a performance that’s both commanding and vulnerable. Her affinity for horror and the “darker side of storytelling” plays a role in how she shapes her characters. As she once told Teen Vogue:

“I love horror. I fancy myself a zombie connoisseur. I think I heavily relate with appreciating the darker side of things because it allows you to embrace the beauty of life and all of its different phases.”

Beyond acting, Sunday takes pride in her Nigerian heritage and makes it a visible part of her identity. In Netflix’s Strong Black Lead “Rep Your Flag” series, she held up a mini green-and-white flag while sharing cultural quirks. Her favourite Nigerian treat? Meat pies — though with her own creative spin. When it comes to the famous Jollof rivalry, she leans toward Ghana’s version but does so playfully, noting that Nigeria boasts “so many other best things,” especially its music.

Sunday’s playlist reveals her admiration for Afrobeats stars like Rema and Teni, as well as the timeless elegance of Sade. Her Nollywood influences include legends such as Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, and Patience Ozokwor, whose work she praises as part of Nigeria’s cinematic legacy.

For audiences, Joy Sunday is more than the icy-gazed Bianca Barclay. She is a Nigerian-American actress, proud of her heritage, grounded in her craft, and steadily carving out a unique space in Hollywood. With her combination of talent, cultural pride, and fearless storytelling, she’s only just at the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career.