Spanish actress Ivana Baquero made a strong debut in a leading role at just 11 years old in Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Following that, she continued to explore roles in fantasy and dramatic genres, including a notable part in the epic fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles (MTV/Spike, 2016–present). Born Ivana Baquero Macias in Barcelona, Spain, on June 11, 1994, she began her acting journey at the young age of eight. Soon after, she appeared in a number of horror-related films, portraying emotionally nuanced child characters. Among these were Rottweiler (2004), directed by Brian Yuzna and co-starring the legendary Spanish horror actor Paul Naschy, and Fragile (2005), in which she starred opposite Calista Flockhart.
The year after those early roles marked a turning point for Baquero. Out of over a thousand hopefuls, she was chosen to star in Guillermo del Toro’s haunting fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth. Playing a young girl who retreats into a magical world amid the oppressive early years of Franco’s regime, Baquero earned widespread acclaim in Spain. Her performance earned her both the Goya Award and the Imagen Award for Best Actress, along with several international nominations, including from the Chicago Film Critics Association.
After that success, Ivana Baquero went on to make her American film debut alongside Kevin Costner in the relatively obscure horror film The New Daughter (2009). However, she soon shifted her focus to her education at the American School of Barcelona, where she remained until her graduation in 2012. After a brief break, she returned to acting with smaller roles, including in the Spanish-British thriller Another Me (2013), starring Rhys Ifans.
Eventually, Baquero took on her first major American television role in The Shannara Chronicles, a fantasy series based on Terry Brooks’ novels and produced by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, known for their work on Smallville. In the series, filmed in New Zealand, Ivana Baquero portrayed Eretria, a spirited human girl who joins a band of adventurers to fight back dark, demonic forces. The show aired its first season on MTV and then moved to Spike for its second season in 2017.
When it comes to Ivana Baquero’s film career, one standout performance definitely shines above the rest—her role in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), which happens to be her highest rated movie. It’s no surprise that this dark fantasy masterpiece earned widespread acclaim and put Ivana Baquero on the map as a talented young actress. The emotional depth she brought to the character really made a lasting impression. On the other hand, looking at her filmography, The New Daughter (2009) tends to receive the lowest ratings among her works. While it had its moments, it just didn’t resonate with audiences or critics quite like her earlier success. Still, Ivana Baquero has shown versatility over the years, and even in less celebrated projects, her presence adds value. Overall, Ivana Baquero continues to build a solid reputation in the industry, with Pan’s Labyrinth remaining a defining highlight in Ivana Baquero’s career so far.