Nathalie Emmanuelfeels like an underrated Hollywood actress despite having some truly fantastic movies and TV shows throughout her career. She first began her acting career in theater as a young girl in the late 90s. It wasn’t until 2006 that Nathalie Emmanuel had her first on-screen role, a major part in the British soap operaHollyoaks. Working mostly in television roles for the first leg of her career, Nathalie Emmanuel had her big Hollywood breakthrough asMissandei inGame of Thrones, one of the biggest shows of all time.
Since that time, Nathalie Emmanuel has appeared in several big screen franchises, includingThe Maze Runner, Fast & Furious, and theArmy of the Deaduniverse on Netflix. Growing in popularity as a lead actress, Nathalie Emmanuel had a busy 2024, with roles inMegalopolis,Arthur the King, andJohn Woo’s own remake ofThe Killer.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Cast
Wes Ball’s Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials picks up directly after the first film after Thomas and the other Gladers escaped from the World Catastrophe Killzone Department (WCKD). While they may have escaped, the team must now evade WCKD soldiers while traversing the dangerous Scorch. The Scorch Trials was followed up with Maze Runner: The Death Cure in 2018.
AfterThe Maze Runnerfound success within the YA dystopian movie boom of the time,Maze Runner: The Scorch Trialsattempted to expand the franchise beyond the mysterious maze that hung over the first film like a specter. It’s a hard shift from the more mystery-focused first film, as it relied on more spectacle and high-octane action scenes than before. It’s an immensely fun film, even if it doesn’t quite hit the same as the first one.
10 Biggest Book Changes In The Maze Runner Movies
While the Maze Runner movies took inspiration from the source material, the franchise changed storylines and character arcs from the books.
Nathalie Emmanuel joined The Maze Runner franchise inMaze Runner: The Scorch Trials, where she played Harriet, one of the leaders of Group B, the all-girl group that was also put in a trial created by WICKED.Still relatively new to film at the time, Nathalie Emmanuel was an excellent addition to an already strong cast, feeling at home within the desolate apocalyptic setting ofMaze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
Holly Slept Overtells the story of a married couple who contemplate having sexual relations when the wife’s friend from college suddenly reappears in her life, staying over at their house. Often funny,Holly Slept Overis actually an insightful look into love, marriage, and relationships in general, exploring how they grow and evolve over time. It isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it’s an entertaining and sometimes poignant movie.
She is at the center of the entire narrative and she does her part well.
Nathalie Emmanuel plays the titular character in the movie, and she does a fantastic job as a character placed in the middle of a married couple that is going through some troubles in their relationship. Given thatHolly Slept Overis a dramedy,Nathalie Emmanuel does an admirable job at being both funny and bringing some genuine emotion to the film at times, striking a great balance with her performance. She is at the center of the entire narrative and she does her part well.
The Fate of the Furious
The Fate of the Furious is the eighth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, released in 2017. Vin Diesel stars as Dom Toretto, who is drawn into the world of crime by a mysterious woman, pushing his loyal crew, including Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez, to face unprecedented challenges.
The Fate of the Furioushad the monumental job of continuing the franchise without Paul Walker, and living up to the record-breaking box office of its predecessor. While it might not be as great asFurious 7orFast Five,The Fate of the Furiousis still an entertaining entry into the franchise, as the absurdity of the situations the characters find themselves in continues to escalate. It’s a solid movie for what it’s worth, butnot the best overall.
Nathalie Emmanuel continued her role fromFurious 7, playing the computer hacker Ramsey. She is given a bit more to do inThe Fate of the Furiousas she becomes a staple of the crew. Not only is she a phenomenal actress, buther performance as Ramsey in her second outing feels more confident, which continued to carry her through the other films in the franchise.
The Killer
The Killer is a suspenseful crime thriller focusing on Zee, a notorious contract killer known as “the Queen of the Dead.” Her decision to spare a young blind woman triggers a dangerous pursuit from her criminal associates and a relentless police detective. Released on June 10, 2025.
Directed by John Woo,The Killerwas the 2024 American remake of Woo’s 1989 Hong Kong film of the same name. While it doesn’t reach the same heights that Woo set in 1989,The Killeris a solid modern update that contains all the thrilling action and violence that he has perfected throughout his legendary career. It’s worth a watch just to see an action master doing something he is so great at doing.
Zee is a professional hit woman living in Paris who refuses to kill on an assignment, sending her on a journey through a criminal conspiracy.
Nathalie Emmanuel plays Zee inThe Killer, the Chow Yun-fat equivalent of the original film. Zee is a professional hit woman living in Paris who refuses to kill on an assignment, sending her on a journey through a criminal conspiracy.Nathalie Emmanuel’s performance is impressive inThe Killer, with a full commitment to the physicality that the role demands, something that is relatively new to her career.
Telling the story of a stray dog named Arthur who winds up joining an adventure team as they travel a grueling 435-mile race through another country,Arthur the Kingis an inspirational, heartstring-tugging movie about the connection between man and dog and the resilience of the human spirit. Anyone who loves touching stories involving dogs should likeArthur the King, which can be moving and profound often throughout. It helps that Arthur is so adorable.
Nathalie Emmanuel had a strong 2024 that started withArthur the King, where she played Olivia, a climber whose father did the same thing. She joins Mark Wahlberg’s Michael Light’s adventure racing team that is attempting to compete in a grueling endurance race in the Dominican Republic. Nathalie Emmanuel is great in the film,channeling the gritty spirit of someone who wants to defy the odds.
Army of Thievesis a prequel toArmy of the Dead, Zack Snyder’s return to the zombie genre for Netflix. The film focuses on a group of thieves that attempt to break into three banks that have three nearly impossible safes to crack. Though it takes place simultaneously with the initial zombie breakout in the opening credits ofArmy of the Dead, the movie doesn’t actually feature any zombies in the plot, making it a unique entry into the franchise.
Nathalie Emmanuel plays Gwendoline Starr in the film, a skilled jewel thief who meets Matthias Schweighöfer’s Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert after commenting on his YouTube video about safecracking. She is very good at what she does, andNathalie Emmanuel plays her mysterious for a significant portion of the movie, expertly keeping her at an emotional arms-length awayfrom the other characters in the group.
Megalopolis
Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a visionary 2024 film exploring the ambitious dream of reconstructing New York City into a utopia, following a devastating disaster. The narrative delves into the clash between the architect’s utopian vision and the political and personal turmoil that ensues. With a star-studded cast, the film examines themes of ambition, power, and the human spirit’s resilience against the backdrop of a futuristic metropolis.
Confounding, ambitious, absurd, a work of art. Francis Ford Coppola’s passion projectMegalopolisis a divisive film that requires getting on the same wavelength as the legendary director. It’s a confusing experience, but one that lingers due to the sheer spectacle on screen, both in production design and performances by an incredible cast of actors. It might not be for everyone, but those who engage with it at its level could find something to truly love.
Francis Ford Coppola Says He’s “Thrilled To Accept” Megalopolis’ Many Razzie Nominations In Fiery Post Calling Out Hollywood’s Cowardice
Megalopolis is nominated for several Razzies this year, and Francis Ford Coppola says he’s honored to be going against the mainstream’s rules.
Playing Julia Cicero,Megalopolisis one of the most interesting performances of Nathalie Emmanuel’s career. Julia Cicero is the love interest of Adam Driver’s Cesar Catilina and the daughter of Giancarlo Esposito’s Franklyn Cicero. Caught in the middle of a political struggle between the two men, Nathalie Emmanuel channels one of her best performances, which feels at odds against Driver’s and even Esposito’s, something that is common of every actor inMegalopolis.
Tasked with following upThe Dark Crystal, a beloved ’80s fantasy film, Netflix’sThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistanceis fantastic, expanding the franchise into a series, and taking it to even greater heights. Leaning into the iconic puppetry from the original,The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistanceis utterly gorgeous, immersing the viewer in the world of Thra. It’s exciting, heart-wrenching, and ultimately profound as it focuses on the humanity at the center of the fantasy epic.
Nathalie Emmanuel voices Deet inThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, one of three young Gelflings who embark on a quest to save their world. Deet is an optimist who never loses hope along their journey, often connecting with the surrounding nature. Despite being a gentle spirit, she is fiercely protective of her friends and family, andNathalie Emmanuel shines at bringing Deet’s personality to life through impeccable voice work.
One of the best movies in the franchise,Furious 7was a fantastic action flick and the final film of Paul Walker’s career. Full of absurd stunts and direction by James Wan,Furious 7felt like the pinnacle of the Fast & Furious franchise, ending with an emotional send-off for Paul Walker’s Brian O’Connor. Equal parts thrilling and cathartic,Furious 7is enough to reduce anyone to a pile of tears by the time the credits roll.
Furious 7is the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the 12th highest-grossing movie ever made.
Furious 7was the first film in the franchise that Nathalie Emmanuel appeared in. She plays Ramsey, a talented computer hacker and creator of a program capable of tracking a specific person through digital services. She is essential to the success of the group and continues to be a prominent character in each subsequent film in the series, with Nathalie Emmanuel giving a great performance in each of them.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
A monumental landmark,Game of Throneschanged television forever and, despite stumbling towards the end of the series, remains one ofHBO’s best shows of all time. Focusing on the power struggle between various families to sit on the Iron Throne,Game of Thronesis brutal, complex, and features some of the most enduring characters in television history. It’s an incredible series that deserves all of its flowers in the end.
2011-2019
House of the Dragon
A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms
2025
Nathalie Emmanuel first appeared inGame of Thronesin the third season, playing Missandei in a recurring role. By season six, she moved to a main role as Missandei became an incredibly important character as the show progressed.Game of Throneswas Nathalie Emmanuel’s breakthrough role, and she nails every aspect of her character, with her romance with Grey Worm being a particular highlight.
