Maria Bakalova

MARIA BAKALOVA Academy award nominated actress, Maria Bakalova, is perhaps best known for her breakout role in BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIE FILM, which debuted to critical acclaim in 2020. Maria won a Critic’s Choice Award for her performance as ‘Tutar’ and earned further nominations for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the Oscars, BAFTA and SAG Awards – as well as ‘Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical’ at the Golden Globes. She was named one of Variety’s ‘Top 10 Actors to Watch’ in 2020.

Maria recently appeared on our screens in THE APPRENTICE, from Ali Abbasi. A biographical drama, the film examined the rise of Donald Trump as a real estate businessman in New York in the 1970s and 80s. Maria took on the pivotal role of Ivana Trump opposite Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong. The film had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May, to rave reviews. Further on-screen credits include LEARNING TO BREATHE UNDERWATER opposite Rory Kinnear and MAYDAY, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Brannagh. In addition, Maria will lead in TRIUMPH for Bankside, which had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and will be the Bulgarian submission for next year’s Academy Awards — where it was selected by a unanimous vote. Further upcoming projects include DIRTY ANGELS opposite Eva Green, THE BAD GUYS 2 and NO WAY OFF alongside Peter Mullan. 

Previous onscreen credits include Judd Apatow’s THE BUBBLE for Netflix, A24’s BODIES BODIES BODIES opposite Rachel Sennott, FAIRYLAND, produced by Sofia Coppola and Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 3. Maria can also be seen in the feature film TRANSGRESSION, which earned her an ‘Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role’ award at the Toronto Alternative Film Festival in 2018.