Marisa Abela: Rising Star Finds Her Footing Alongside A-Listers
For many aspiring actresses, the thought of sharing screen space with icons like Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender in a Steven Soderbergh production might be daunting. However, for 28-year-old Marisa Abela, this experience has been more of a relief than a pressure. “The premise of my career so far has been, ‘Here is this girl you don’t know, and she is going to carry this project,'” she reflects. Following her portrayal of Amy Winehouse in the highly publicized 2024 biopic Back to Black, and her notable role on HBO’s finance drama Industry, Abela finds herself in a rare opportunity to collaborate with her idols rather than bearing the weight of a leading role.
Having secured her role in Black Bag, where she plays a junior intelligence officer entangled in her boss’s personal investigation, Abela recalls the moment vividly. It marked a year since she last auditioned for a role. Soderbergh, impressed by Abela’s performance as Yasmin in Industry, decided she was the right fit after a brief Zoom meeting. “It felt like such a relief not to go through the usual auditioning process,” she admits.
At that time, Abela was anxiously awaiting the release of Back to Black, a career-defining role that brings significant scrutiny. Receiving a nod from a director of Soderbergh’s caliber provided the reassurance she desperately needed. “Amy Winehouse was a really scary role to take. It’s such a sensitive subject, and you have to employ emotional care and precision every day,” she shares, reflecting on the stamina required during the press tour.
Despite her expanding filmography, Abela’s roots in Industry continue to ground her in the industry. Growing up in Brighton and later training at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she was serendipitously cast in Industry alongside a group of fellow up-and-coming actors. Meeting her co-stars for the first time on a train to Cardiff, Wales, she approached the experience with a sense of exploration, treating it like an acting exercise to ease her nerves.
The series premiered amid the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly garnering critical acclaim and securing a dedicated fan base. With HBO’s swift renewal of the show, Abela has realized the potential of a full-time acting career, stepping away from her mother Caroline Gruber’s shadow—an actress known for her roles in the 90s film Heil Honey, I’m Home!. On the day of her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Abela was preparing for an ad campaign in South Korea while also gearing up for the media tour for Black Bag, releasing in theaters on March 14.
“I love doing table reads because they allow me to showcase my work first,” she says, pondering how to engage in conversations with iconic figures she’s admired for so long. “It wasn’t until I was on set with Cate and Michael that I felt truly comfortable. After nailing a scene, it dawned on me, ‘OK, now they know that I’m an actor, too.'”
When discussing Soderbergh, Abela mentions, “Steven works in such a unique way—he’s the director, camera operator, and editor. It’s an experience like no other to collaborate with someone who possesses such a singular vision.” She emphasizes the importance of trust during the creative process, highlighting the dynamic nature of working with a director who pushes actors to adapt quickly to his vision.
As for her future projects, Abela is considering a shift from her recent portrayals of powerful female characters. “I’ve played so many tough women; I’d be excited to explore roles that feel a bit softer. Those are the types of characters I’m looking to explore next,” she reflects.
This interview was featured in the March 6 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here for more insights.