Helena Zengel

Helena Zengel (born 10 June 2008 in Berlin, Germany) is a prodigious German actress who rose to international prominence before her teenage years. She began her on‑screen journey at the age of five, appearing in a music video for the Berlin alternative‑rock band Abby, which sparked a swift progression into film and television. By eight, Zengel secured her first major film role in Die Tochter (also known as The Daughter or Dark Blue Girl), a drama that premiered at the Berlinale in 2017 and showcased her natural talent for portraying complex emotions. Her breakthrough came in 2019 with Nora Fingscheidt’s hard‑hitting drama System Crasher, where she delivered a raw and unsettling performance as Benni, a nine‑year‑old caught in a cycle of trauma; the role earned her the German Film Prize for Best Actress in 2020 and positioned her as one of Germany’s most compelling young performers. The following year Zengel crossed over to Hollywood, starring opposite Tom Hanks in Paul Greengrass’s adaptation of News of the World. Portraying Johanna Leonberger, a ten‑year‑old German orphan raised by the Kiowa, she performed much of her dialogue in the Kiowa language and later dubbed the role herself for the Italian, German, French and Spanish releases, demonstrating linguistic versatility rarely seen in child actors. Her work garnered nominations for both a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award in the supporting‑actress category. Subsequent projects include the romantic comedy A Christmas Number One (2021), where she played Nina Cutter, the Amazon‑set drama Transamazonia (2024) as Rebecca, and the A24 fantasy adventure The Legend of Ochi (2025) alongside Willem Dafoe. Throughout her brief yet prolific career, Zengel has consistently chosen challenging, diverse roles, establishing herself as a dynamic force in contemporary cinema and hinting at a future filled with even more compelling performances. In addition to her film work, Zengel maintains an active online presence through her official website and social media, engaging with fans and promoting her upcoming projects.