Nathalie Emmanuel was a British actress who rose to fame thanks to her standout role as Missandei on HBO’s fantasy phenomenon Game of Thrones (2011–2019). Nathalie Emmanuel, born and raised in the coastal town of Southend-on-the-Sea in Essex, showed an early passion for performance. Her parents recognized her talent quickly—when Nathalie Emmanuel was just three years old, they enrolled her in acting, singing, and dance classes to nurture her growing interest. It didn’t take long for her skills to shine; by the late ‘90s, Nathalie Emmanuel had landed the role of young Nala in the West End production of Disney’s beloved musical The Lion King.
As she entered her teenage years, Nathalie Emmanuel began pursuing roles on screen, attending auditions with determination. Her big break came in 2007 when she joined the cast of the long-running British soap opera Hollyoaks (Channel 4, 1995– ), portraying the character Sasha Valentine. She played the role for four years before departing the series in 2010. Though that chapter ended, Nathalie Emmanuel’s career continued to gain momentum.
In 2013, she landed what would become her most iconic role: Missandei, the intelligent and composed interpreter for Daenerys Targaryen—played by Emilia Clarke—in Game of Thrones. From that moment on, Nathalie Emmanuel became a familiar face across the globe, appearing in every season until the show concluded in May 2019. Even while deeply involved in the HBO series, Nathalie Emmanuel made time for major film projects. She appeared in high-profile movies such as Furious 7 (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), proving her versatility beyond television.
After Game of Thrones wrapped up its eight-season journey, Nathalie Emmanuel wasted no time moving forward. Just a few months after the finale aired, she took on a leading role in the Hulu limited series Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019), a modern reimagining of the classic 1994 romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant. The series premiered in July 2019, with Mindy Kaling serving as executive producer. Through it all, Nathalie Emmanuel has continued to build an impressive and diverse body of work, showcasing her range and dedication as an actress. With each new project, Nathalie Emmanuel cements her place as a compelling presence in both film and television.
When it comes to Nathalie Emmanuel’s filmography, fans and critics alike often point to Furious 7 (2015) as her standout performance—definitely her highest-rated project to date. It’s no surprise that Nathalie Emmanuel shines in this blockbuster hit, where her role contributed to both its emotional depth and global success. On the other hand, looking back at earlier in her career, Twenty8k (2012) tends to come up as the lowest-rated film associated with Nathalie Emmanuel. While it may not have made a big splash critically, it was still a stepping stone for Nathalie Emmanuel as she continued building her presence in the industry. Overall, from high-octane hits to more obscure titles, Nathalie Emmanuel has certainly evolved over the years.