Sakina Jaffrey

Sakina Jaffrey (born February 14, 1962, in Manhattan, New York City) is an American screen and television actress known for bringing sharp intelligence and warmth to character-driven roles. Raised in a creative household, she is the daughter of actor Saeed Jaffrey and actress and cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey.

Jaffrey gained wide recognition on television as Linda Vasquez in Netflix’s political drama House of Cards, and later appeared as Denise Christopher on NBC’s time-travel series Timeless. Her work across major networks and streaming has made her a familiar presence in contemporary American TV.

On film, she has built a versatile résumé spanning comedy, drama, and family features. Notable credits include Raising Helen (Nilma Prasad), The Nanny Diaries (Sima), The Hating Game (Helen), Cotton Mary (Rosie), Breakaway (Livleen Singh), The Indian in the Cupboard (Lucy), and Definitely, Maybe (School Mom).

Whether anchoring a tense political storyline or elevating a scene with understated humor, Jaffrey’s performances reflect a steady craft and an ability to make supporting characters feel fully lived-in.