Frankie Adams is a prominent Samoan-New Zealand actress who has risen from local television roles in New Zealand to international acclaim in major sci-fi productions and blockbuster films. Born on January 3, 1994, on the island of Savai’i in Samoa, she embodies a blend of cultural heritage and professional versatility that has made her a standout figure in the entertainment industry. At 32 years old as of 2026, Adams stands at an impressive 5’11” and brings a commanding presence to her characters, often portraying strong, resilient women across genres ranging from drama to action and science fiction.
Early Life and Family Background
Frankie Adams was born the eldest of three daughters to a Samoan mother, Lau Adams, and a father, Allan Adams, who had partial Aboriginal Australian ancestry. Her family relocated to Auckland, New Zealand, when she was around four years old, seeking better opportunities. Tragically, her father passed away suddenly from a heart attack when Frankie was just six, leaving her mother to raise the girls in Mt Albert, Auckland.Adams, raised in a family that cherished its Samoan heritage, went to Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where she discovered a passion for drama. Those early years in New Zealand helped define her as a Samoan-Kiwi, which later guided her toward roles that highlighted Pacific Islander stories and culture.
A Big Break on New Zealand Television
At just 16, Adams began her acting career, landing her first role as Ula Levi in the popular New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street. Playing a troubled teen, she got a crash course in acting on camera, and stayed with the show for five seasons, until 2014. This long stint gave her the chance to really develop her skills in the demanding, fast-moving world of soap operas. Shortland Street was where it all began, a place that helped her gain both confidence and recognition within the local scene. While she was there, she also dabbled in other pursuits, including amateur boxing. This experience honed her physical discipline, which would later serve her well in action-oriented roles.
International Expansion and Australian Roles
After departing from Shortland Street, Adams set her sights on international prospects. She secured a recurring part in the well-regarded Australian prison drama Wentworth, portraying Tasha Goodwin, a young Aboriginal woman serving time. This role allowed her to explore intricate themes of identity, heritage, and the hurdles of the system, drawing from her own diverse background to bring a sense of realism to the character. The role signaled a shift toward more nuanced, dramatic performances, and it paved the way for international opportunities. It also underscored her dedication to telling stories that often go unheard, something she’s discussed as a way to connect with her heritage and delve into cultural narratives.
Her ascent to global recognition began with The Expanse
Adams found herself catapulted to international stardom thanks to her portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Roberta “Bobbie” Draper in the highly regarded science fiction series The Expanse (2015–2022). She joined the cast in Season 2 as a regular, bringing the formidable Martian Marine to life until the show’s conclusion in its sixth season on Amazon Prime Video. Bobbie quickly became a fan favorite, celebrated for her strength, moral ambiguity, and physicality, and Adams received widespread acclaim for her depiction of the character’s intensity.
The part demonstrated her knack for navigating intense action, complex world-building, and emotional resonance within a futuristic narrative. Her work contributed to greater visibility for Pacific Islanders in the sci-fi genre, which has historically struggled with diverse representation.
Diverse Film Roles and Collaborations
Outside of television, Adams has amassed a noteworthy film career, collaborating with celebrated directors. She took on the lead role in Tusi Tamasese’s One Thousand Ropes (2016), a moving New Zealand-Samoan drama that debuted at the Berlin Film Festival and received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. In Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines (2018), she played a supporting character in the film’s dystopian steampunk setting. Adams appeared in Luc Besson’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins (2023), where she made a brief appearance as Frangipani. In the Amazon limited series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023), she portrayed Candy Blue, sharing the screen with Sigourney Weaver and contributing emotional depth to a narrative centered on family trauma and strength.
Recent Endeavors and New Directions
Frankie Adams continues to broaden her horizons as of 2026. She lends her voice to Leilani “50/50” Tupuola in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025), marking her entry into interactive entertainment. In the action film The Wrecking Crew (2026), she plays Nani (or Haunani Palakiko), a clever and outspoken cousin entangled in a family conspiracy, appearing alongside Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Most notably, Adams stars as Sina, Moana’s supportive mother, in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Moana (released July 2026), a role that deeply resonates with her Samoan heritage and allows her to bring cultural authenticity to a global audience.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Throughout her career, Frankie Adams has championed Pacific Islander and Indigenous representation, choosing projects that highlight diverse voices and stories. From her early days on Shortland Street to her current status in Hollywood blockbusters, she has demonstrated versatility, resilience, and a dedication to meaningful portrayals. As a Samoan-New Zealand talent based partly in Los Angeles, Adams inspires aspiring actors from similar backgrounds, proving that cultural identity can be a powerful asset in storytelling. With upcoming projects continuing to showcase her range, Frankie Adams remains a dynamic force in film, television, and gaming, her journey a testament to perseverance and pride in one’s roots.
