Elena Saurel
Elena Saurel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987/1988 |
| Alma mater | SOAS, University of London |
| Years active | 2010–present |
Elena Saurel (born 1987/1988) is an actress and writer based in London. She is known for her roles in the ITV2 sitcom Buffering (2021–2023), and the BBC Two series Industry (2022–) and We Might Regret This (2024).
Early life
[edit]Saurel grew up in Geneva, Switzerland and moved to England at the age of 14,[1] where she attended Bedales School. She is of Salvadoran-American heritage,[2] and holds Spanish and American citizenship. Her parents enrolled her in afternoon acting classes to help with her anxiety and dyslexia.[3] She took a one-year course at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York before going on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. During her time at university, she signed up for a number of short films and fringe plays.[4]
Career
[edit]Saurel portrayed Janis Joplin in Paul Desveaux's Pearl at the Abrons Arts Center in December 2015 and made her London stage debut in Labyrinth at the Hampstead Theatre in 2016.[5] In 2018, Saurel had a recurring role as Stacey in the ITV comedy-drama Girlfriend. She also appeared in series such as Lovesick on Netflix, Living the Dream and Breeders on Sky One, Killing Eve on BBC America, and Gold Digger on BBC One.
The majority of her film roles have been in short films, two of which she also wrote: Eject (2019) and Behind the Mask (2021).
In 2021, Saurel began starring as Olivia in the ITV2 sitcom Buffering.[6][7] In 2022, she joined the cast of the HBO and BBC investment banking drama Industry for its second season as Anna Gearing.[8] In 2024, she appeared in the BBC comedy-drama We Might Regret This[9] and has an upcoming role in the Amazon Freevee series Open Book.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Saurel is a supporter of the Cervantes Theatre in Southwark.[11]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Anaphylaxis | Morgue Woman | Uncredited role |
| 2013 | Allegra | Allegra | Short films |
| A Party in London | Cassandra | ||
| 2014 | Popcorn | Brooke Daniels | |
| Due | Karen | ||
| An Open Letter to Dominic | Ellis | ||
| Toilets | Fee | ||
| 2015 | Charlie and Wendy | Wendy | |
| Menagerie | May | Short films | |
| Fellow Travellers | Colin's Wife | ||
| Anchor | Joni | ||
| 2016 | A Message from Tar Creek | Julia (voice) | |
| Witch | Alice | ||
| 2017 | The Last Lighthouse Keeper | Older Danny | |
| 2019 | The Meeting | Elaine | |
| How We Met - Based on a True Story | Mary | ||
| You Know Why - Based on a True Story | Elena | ||
| I Want to Make You Happy | Laura | Video | |
| Eject | Kate | Short film. Also writer | |
| 2020 | Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga | Stage Manager | |
| 2021 | Gloria | Gloria | Short film |
| Behind the Mask | Actor 2 / Disguised Woman 1 | Short film. Also writer | |
| 2022 | The Batman | Detective on Phone | |
| Tad, the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet | Ramirez (voice) | English version | |
| 2023 | Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Drunk Airline Stewardess |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Benidorm | Spa Receptionist | Episode #6.6 |
| 50 Ways to Kill Your Lover | Kristen Rossum | Episode #1.4 | |
| 2015 | Catastrophe | Blaire | Episode #1.1 |
| The Last Hours of Laura K | Sabrina Bahadir | Television film | |
| Not Safe for Work | Receptionist | Mini-series; Episode #1.5 | |
| 2017 | Silent Witness | Luisa Herreraz | 2 episodes: "Awakening: Parts 1 & 2" |
| Kiss of Death | Gina | Episode: "Blood Never Lies" | |
| Josh | Lauren | Episode: "The Old Lady & The Swan" | |
| 2018 | Lovesick | Bianca | Episode: "Evie (Part Two)" |
| Girlfriends | Stacey | 3 episodes | |
| Midsomer Murders | Zennia Lounds | Episode: "Drawing Dead" | |
| 2019 | Living the Dream | Connie | 2 episodes: "Steak Out" and "Visa Tambien" |
| Killing Eve | Woman at Train Station | Episode: "Do You Know How to Dispose of a Body?" | |
| Gold Digger | Bianca | Mini-series; 2 episodes: "Her Daughter" and "Her Love" | |
| Sticks and Stones | Tonya Baxter | Original title: The Man. Mini-series; Episode #1.2 | |
| 2020 | Kate & Koji | Rosa | Episode #1.5 |
| 2021 | Breeders | Martina | 2 episodes: "No Connection" and "No Friends" |
| Around the World in 80 Days | Sally | Episode #1.7 | |
| 2021–2023 | Buffering | Olivia | Main role; 11 episodes |
| 2022–present | Industry | Anna Gearing | Main role (season 2–) |
| 2023 | The B@it | Episode: "Urine Love" | |
| Octonauts: Above & Beyond | Selva (voice) | Episode: "The Octonaughts and the Kilimanjaro Climb" | |
| 2024 | The Mallorca Files | Reyna Alvarez | Episode: "All That Glisters" |
| We Might Regret This | Jo | 6 episodes | |
| TBA | Open Book | Kat | Pre-production |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water | Hisoka Kurosawa | |
| The Crew | |||
| 2015 | Victor Vran | Irene | English versions |
| 2016 | Star Ocean: Anamnesis | Anne | |
| 2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn | Vala | |
| Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 | America Chavez | ||
| 2018 | Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry | Diana | English version |
| Hitman 2 | Announcer | ||
| 2019 | Control | Additional cast | |
| Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint | Dr. Rosamund Fletcher / Deep State DLC | ||
| Tropico 6 | |||
| 2022 | Dragon Quest Treasures | Additional voices | English versions |
| 2023 | Atomic Heart |
Stage
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Pearl | Janis Joplin | Abrons Arts Center, New York |
| 2016 | Labyrinth | Grace | Hampstead Theatre, London |
| 2017 | The House of Bernarda Alba | Marti | Cervantes Theatre / Southwark Playhouse, London |
References
[edit]- ^ "Buffering Series 2 Press Pack" (PDF). ITV. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "Elena Saurel". TresA Magazine. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "A cup of tea with... Labyrinth's Elena Saurel". Hampstead Theatre. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Waites, Brandon (13 June 2020). "Filmmakers David Yorke & Elena Saurel Discuss Collaborations and Horror Short "EJECT" {Talent to Watch}". Horror Origins. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Swain, Marianka (26 July 2016). "Cast Announced for Beth Steel's LABYRINTH at Hampstead Theatre". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "Exclusive: Elena Saurel on working with Iain Stirling for new ITV2 sitcom Buffering". Female First. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Bradbury, Sarah (30 January 2023). ""There's a lot of tragedy in comedy": Elena Saurel on Buffering season two". The Upcoming. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Industry season 2: UK release date, cast and latest news". Radio Times. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ Seddon, Dan (23 June 2023). "BBC confirms new comedy drama We Might Regret This from Big Boys team". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise (19 January 2023). "Elena Saurel Confirmed For Amazon Freevee's 'Open Book' Pilot Inspired By Jessica Simpson Memoir". Deadline. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ "Our Supporters". Cervantes Theatre. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
External links
[edit]- Elena Saurel at IMDb
- Elena Saurel at Spotlight
- Living people
- 1980s births
- Actresses from Geneva
- Actors with dyslexia
- Alumni of SOAS University of London
- American emigrants to England
- American expatriate actresses
- American expatriates in England
- American people of Salvadoran descent
- People educated at Bedales School
- Spanish expatriates in England
- Swiss expatriates in England
- Swiss people of American descent
- Swiss people of Salvadoran descent
- Swiss people of Spanish descent