Roles in English productions such as the college comedy "Living in Hope" (2002) and the homely daughter of an evangelist in a television adaptation of Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth" (2002) helped to show Harris' range, as did a lead as a Labour Party activist in the miniseries "The Party" (2002). American film soon beckoned with a role opposite Pierce Brosnan and Don Cheadle in Brett Ratner's overbaked heist thriller "After the Sunset," for which she revived her stellar island accent as a Bahamian police detective. A major part in the UK psychological thriller "Trauma" (2004), with Colin Firth as a car accident victim who suffers from visions of his late wife, was seen largely by audiences outside the United States only. Nonetheless, the more she worked, the more she garnered press as the promising up-and-comer.

Viewers familiar with Harris' lovely features may not have recognized her as Tia Dalma in the second "Pirates" movie, as she was covered in a sort of pancake makeup and sporting gruesomely blackened teeth; her appearance rivaling that of Bill Nighy's octopus-faced Davy Jones in terms of sheer shock value. Despite the less-than-beautiful makeover, Harris still managed to inject a hint of sensuality, thanks in no small part to her husky tone and body language. She recreated the role for the third "Pirates," for which she enjoyed more screen time, as well as a juicy character secret - that she is Calypso, goddess of the sea.

Between "Pirates" movies, Harris rode with real police on a stakeout to prepare for her role as an undercover detective in "Miami Vice," for which she also enjoyed love scenes with Oscar winner Jamie Foxx. She then returned to London to appear in Michael Winterbottom's metaphysical big screen comedy "Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" (2006), in which she joined Steve Coogan, Gillian Anderson, Jeremy Northam and Stephen Fry in an attempt to unravel Laurence Sterne's "unfilmable" novel.

Films:

* Crust (2001), Receptionist
* Living In Hope (2002), Ginny
* Anansi (2002), Carla
* 28 Days Later (2002), Selena
* Trauma (2004), Elisa
* After the Sunset (2004), Sophie
* Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), Tia Dalma
* Miami Vice (2006), Det. Trudy Joplin
* A Cock and Bull Story (2006), Jennie
* Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), Tia Dalma/Calypso
* Street Kings (2008), Linda Washington
* August (2008), Sarah
* Morris: A Life with Bells On (2009), Sonja
* Ninja Assassin (2009), Mika Coretti
* Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2009), Denise
* My Last Five Girlfriends (2009), Gemma
* The First Grader (2010), Jane Obinchu

Television

* Simon and the Witch (1987–1988), Joyce
* Erasmus Microman (1989, 1 episode), Millie
* Runaway Bay (1992–1993), Shuku
* The Tomorrow People (1994–1995), Ami Jackson
* Trial & Retribution V (2002, miniseries), Tara Gray (part 2)
* White Teeth (2002, miniseries), Clara
* The Project (2002, miniseries), Maggie Dunn
* Dinotopia (2002–2003), Romana
* Poppy Shakespeare (2008), Poppy Shakespeare
* Small Island (2009), Hortense Roberts
* Blood and Oil (2009), Alice Omuka