From RADA graduate to Amy Winehouse: the rapid ascent of Marisa Abela
In short: Born in Brighton and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Marisa Abela has quickly become a standout figure in British television and film. From her breakout role in the high-stakes drama Industry to portraying a music icon, Abela is proving her range as one of cinema's rising stars.
Born on 7 December 1996, Marisa Gabrielle Abela grew up in Rottingdean, the daughter of actress Caroline Gruber and director Angelo Abela. Her early exposure to the arts was significant; she credits her mother, a veteran of many National Theatre productions, as a primary inspiration. Her professional journey began much earlier, however, with a childhood appearance in the 2008 thriller Man in a Box at age 11.
Abela’s career gained significant momentum in 2020 with her television debut in the political thriller COBRA and her main role as Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the BBC Two and HBO series Industry. Her performance in the latter earned her the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. Critics have lauded her ability to command the screen, with Maddy Mussen of the London Evening Standard identifying her as the standout performer of the show's third season. Beyond television, she has taken on diverse film roles, including a minor part in the 2023 blockbuster Barbie and a leading role as Amy Winehouse in the 2024 biopic Back to Black.
Her portrayal of Winehouse drew praise for its physical intensity and emotional depth, with reviewers noting her ability to capture the singer's unique blend of fragility and intelligence. Amidst her professional rise, Abela has navigated personal challenges, including a 2020 diagnosis of thyroid cancer, which required an eight-hour surgery and subsequent radioiodine therapy. In 2025, she continued her trajectory with a role in Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag and a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination. Recently, she has expanded into audio drama, cast as Elizabeth Bennet in an Audible adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, while also marking a personal milestone with her 2025 marriage to actor Jamie Bogyo.
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