Monic Hendrickx

Monic Hendrickx is a renowned Dutch actress whose versatile talent has made her a staple of both Dutch and international cinema. Born on 3 December 1966 in the small town of Sint Anthonis, she spent her earliest years in the Netherlands before her family relocated to Paramaribo, Suriname when she was three, an experience that broadened her cultural perspective and later informed her nuanced performances. After returning to Europe, Hendrickx pursued formal training at the prestigious Toneelschool in Maastricht, where she refined her craft and prepared for a professional career on stage and screen. She made her screen debut in the critically acclaimed film The Polish Bride, delivering a powerful portrayal that caught the attention of filmmakers and audiences alike. In 2007 she reprised a similar role in the English‑language adaptation Unfinished Sky, set in Australia, where her character was reimagined as an Afghan refugee, a performance that earned her the 2008 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. From 2010 to 2017 she anchored the popular Dutch television series Penoza as crime boss Carmen van Walraven, a role that spanned five seasons and garnered her the Golden Calf for Best Actress in a TV‑Drama in 2013, cementing her status as a leading figure in Dutch television. Her career is marked by multiple Golden Calf awards for Best Actress at the Nederlands Film Festival, a Jury Award at the 2001 Newport Beach Film Festival, and the Best Actress Award at the 1999 Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. In recent years Hendrickx has diversified her portfolio, presenting the game show Crown Witness, appearing on The Voice Senior, and joining the international vampire series Heirs of the Night. In 2019 she starred in The Promise of Pisa as Iris Versluys, continuing her tradition of selecting complex, emotionally resonant characters that showcase her depth and range.