Thandie Newton poses with kids after leading acting workshops at Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy in South Africa on Friday (June 19).

The 36-year-old British actress shared before the trip, “I am really looking forward to it as its such a great scheme and it’s nice to give something back.”

You can view photos and the original article at Just Jared

Shooting two films back-to-back — W, in theaters now, and RocknRolla, in wide release on Oct. 31 — has kept Thandie Newton busy, but the “condensed” schedule ultimately means she’ll have more time to spend with daughters Ripley, 8, and Nico, 4. Although there was a time in her career Thandie would have likely brought the girls along on location, the 35-year-old actress says that those days are over. “Because Ripley is now at school, and she loves her school, she loves her friends, it’s better for all of us if I just do my work for five days and then come back home,” Thandie said during a recent appearance on The Rachael Ray Show. In any event Nico and Ripley — so-named after Sigourney Weaver’s character in Alien, whom Thandie admired for being both tough and feminine at the same time — are in good hands.

“When my husband is with them when I’m away, they are eating pizza in bed until 10 at night. All of that stuff…it’s lovely.”

Ripley and Nico are Thandie’s children with husband Ol Parker, whom she married in 1998.

From the Celebrity Baby Blog

There is a contest going on at Spout.com to help promote “RockNRolla”… Check out the info on the content below and enter it now!

People ask the question…what’s a RocknRolla? And I tell ‘em - it’s not about drugs, drums, and hospital drips, oh no. There’s more there than that, my friend… Because a real RocknRolla wants the f*&king lot.” –Archie, RocknRolla

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Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, Thandie Newton, Penelope Cruz and Benecio del Toro are just a few of the celebrities expected at the 52nd London Film Festival, which runs this 15 to 30 October in the capital.

Fifteen films will have their world premieres at the festival, including the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. Tickets are fully booked for the 007 showing at the Odeon West End, but that shouldn’t stop countless fans from lining up for Daniel Craig in Leicester Square.

LondonNet has put together a list of 10 films to keep your eye on, and our special festival section includes listing for the rest of the cinematic offerings. Keep checking in for news, reviews and snaps from the red carpet.

W. (23 and 24 October): Josh Brolin stars as George Bush the younger in Oliver Stone’s look at the current American president’s life (alcohol problems included). Thandie Newton plays Condi, with Ellen Burstyn as good old Babs Bush.

You can read the rest of the article and the other 9 films chosen at LondonNet