Marisa Abela is a British actress recognized for her work in television and film. She gained prominence for her leading role in the BBC Two/HBO drama series
Industry (2020–present)
[1]. Abela has also appeared in the Sky One political thriller series
COBRA (2020)
[1]. In 2024, she starred as Amy Winehouse in the biographical drama
Back to Black [1].
Early Life and Education#
Marisa Gabrielle Abela was born on December 7, 1996, in Brighton, East Sussex, England
[1]. Her parents are actress Caroline Gruber and director Angelo Abela
[1]. She grew up in Rottingdean with her older brother, Jack
[1]. Her father has Maltese and Libyan roots, while her mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
[1]. Abela's parents divorced when she was four years old
[1].
Abela attended Roedean School on a drama scholarship
[1]. She also took drama classes with the Theatre Workshop
[1][2]. Initially, she considered studying history and law at UCLA with the intention of becoming a civil rights lawyer, but she ultimately decided to pursue acting
[2]. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2019
[1].
Career#
Abela's first acting role was at age 11, when she played Alice in the thriller
Man in a Box (2008)
[1][2]. After graduating from RADA in 2019, she quickly secured roles in television
[1].
Television#
Abela is best known for her role as Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the BBC Two/HBO drama series
Industry (2020–present)
[1]. She received the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for this role
[1]. She also had a recurring role in the Sky One political thriller series
COBRA (2020), playing Ellie Sutherland
[1].
Film#
In 2024, Abela portrayed Amy Winehouse in the biographical drama
Back to Black [1]. She also appeared in Steven Soderbergh's spy drama
Black Bag (2024)
[1]. Additional film credits include
Rogue Agent (2022), where she played Sophie Jones, and
She Is Love (2022), in which she starred as Louise
[2]. She also had a role as Teen Talk Barbie in the 2023 film
Barbie [2].
Other Work#
Abela's work extends to other mediums including theatre and audio productions
[1]. She voiced Elizabeth Bennet in the podcast series
Pride & Prejudice (2025)
[2]. She also appeared in the video game
Five Dates (2020) as Maya
[2].
Recognition#
Marisa Abela was named a 2023 Screen International Star of Tomorrow
[1][3]. She also received a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award
[1].
