Ivana Baquero

Ivana Baquero Macías, born on June 11, 1994 in Barcelona, Spain, emerged as one of the most compelling young talents of her generation, gaining international fame after being selected from a pool of a thousand actresses to portray the hauntingly brave Ofelia in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan's Labyrinth when she was only eleven years old. The role, originally written for an eight‑year‑old, was rewritten to accommodate her remarkable emotional depth, and her performance earned her critical acclaim, a Goya Award for Best New Actress, and a lasting place in contemporary fantasy cinema. Raised by her parents, Iván Baquero and Julía Macías, she attended the American School of Barcelona where she became fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, graduating in 2012 and balancing her studies with a burgeoning acting career that began at age eight with small parts in films such as Fragile, Romasanta, and Rottweiler. After the success of Pan's Labyrinth, Baquero expanded her repertoire into American productions, starring as the titular character in John Connolly's horror film The New Daughter (2009), marking her first major role in the United States. She continued to diversify her portfolio by appearing in several Spanish television projects before landing the role of Eretria in the MTV adaptation of The Shannara Chronicles (2016‑2017), a performance that showcased her versatility in action‑drama and fantasy genres. From 2019 to 2020, she captivated audiences as Eva Villanueva in the Netflix series High Seas, further solidifying her presence on streaming platforms. Most recently, Baquero joined the cast of the Spartacus spinoff Spartacus: House of Ashur, demonstrating her continued relevance and adaptability in high‑profile television productions. Throughout her career, she has been celebrated not only for her striking on‑screen presence but also for her linguistic abilities and commitment to roles that challenge conventional narratives, making her a notable figure in both European and international entertainment circles.