Denee Benton

Denee is a Critics Choice and Tony Award-nominated actress celebrated for her dynamic and commanding performances across screen and stage. She currently stars as Peggy Scott in HBO’s critically acclaimed, Emmy and SAG-nominated series “The Gilded Age,” now in production for its fourth season. Benton received a Critics Choice Award nomination for Supporting Actress for her work on the series, and the internet has dubbed her character Peggy “the people’s princess” for her quiet resilience and trailblazing spirit. Benton’s recent film credits include starring roles in Shatara Michelle Ford’s Dreams in Nightmares, which premiered to critical acclaim at Berlinale 2025, and Tender Thoughts, which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Her talent has also shone in projects such as Richard Curtis’ romantic comedy Genie on Peacock, opposite Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu, and the independent feature Our Friend alongside Dakota Johnson and Casey Affleck, which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. She also delivered a memorable performance as Ruby in Lifetime’s award-winning cult classic series "UnREAL." This fall, Benton will make her exciting return to the stage in School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play in September, and will also be featured in two standalone concerts in August and November. She made her Broadway debut as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, earning nominations for the Tony, Drama League, Theatre World, and Lilly Awards, as well as recognition on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. Her Broadway career showcases remarkable versatility, with standout roles as Eliza in Hamilton, Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon, Susan in tick, tick…BOOM!, and Cinderella in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Into the Woods. A sought-after presence in the fashion world, Benton has attended the prestigious Met Gala and has worn custom garments by Prabal Gurung and Bach Mai and has been profiled by The Cut, WWD, and Vogue. She was recently featured in Thom Browne’s FW2025 campaign, and has been seen front row at Marc Jacobs, Diotima, and Kallmeyer shows at New York Fashion Week. A proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Benton continues to captivate audiences with her exceptional range, magnetic stage presence, and dedication to her craft.