Úrsula Corberó
Úrsula Corberó Delgado (born 11 August 1989) is a Spanish actress.[1] She first gained prominence in Spain through her portrayal of Ruth Gómez, a troubled teenager dealing with personal and social issues, in the Antena 3 teen drama series Física o Química from 2008 to 2011.[1] Corberó achieved global recognition for her role as Silene Oliveira, alias Tokyo, a volatile and charismatic robber, in the Netflix series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), which aired from 2017 to 2021 and became one of the platform's most-watched non-English-language series.[2] Her performance as Tokyo, characterized by intense emotional depth and physical action sequences, contributed to the show's international success and earned her nominations including at the Premios Feroz and Iris Awards.[3] Beyond television, Corberó has appeared in films such as Snake Eyes (2021), where she played the villainess Baroness, expanding her presence in Hollywood action genres.[2] In recent years, she starred as Nuria in the 2024 Peacock series The Day of the Jackal, a modern adaptation of the Frederick Forsyth novel, receiving a 2025 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.[3]
Early life
Upbringing and family background
Úrsula Corberó Delgado was born on August 11, 1989, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.[1][4] Her parents are Pedro Corberó, a carpenter by profession, and Esther Delgado, who worked as a shopkeeper.[5][4] Corberó grew up in the small town of Sant Pere de Vilamajor, located in the province of Barcelona, alongside her family in a working-class environment shaped by her parents' trades. This rural upbringing near Barcelona provided a contrast to the urban cultural scene she later entered, with her Catalan ethnic heritage influencing her early identity.[5] Limited public details exist on extended family dynamics, as Corberó has maintained privacy regarding personal matters beyond professional anecdotes.[1]Initial acting training
Corberó developed an early interest in acting, expressing a desire to pursue it by age six and beginning with appearances in commercials. At age 13 in 2002, she commenced formal acting training at the Escuela de Arte Dramático Eòlia in Barcelona, enrolling in their free program focused on interpretation.[6] [7] This institution, located in central Barcelona, provided foundational education in dramatic arts, complementing her concurrent studies in flamenco and jazz dance, which enhanced her performance skills.[8] [5] Her initial curriculum at Eòlia included practical acting techniques, alongside supplementary lessons in vocal technique and private singing to build versatility.[9] These efforts aligned with her first professional role that same year in the Catalan series Mirall trencat, marking the transition from training to on-screen work.[10] Upon completing basic education and initial acting studies, Corberó relocated to Madrid to advance her career, leveraging the foundational skills acquired in Barcelona.[7]Professional career
Early television roles in Spain (2002–2016)
Corberó's television debut occurred in 2002 at age 13, portraying Maria in the Catalan-language series Mirall trencat, a drama produced by TV3 that explored family and social issues in a rural setting. This initial role marked her entry into acting, following early training in Barcelona.[2] She followed with the recurring character of Sara in Ventdelplà (2005–2006), a long-running soap opera on TV3 focusing on village life and interpersonal conflicts, where her episodes contributed to the series' ongoing narrative arcs. In 2007, Corberó appeared in episodes of Cuenta atrás, a police procedural on Telecinco that depicted investigations into criminal cases, though her specific character details remain limited in records. By 2008, she secured guest appearances as Manuela Portillo in El internado, a popular Antena 3 mystery series set in a secluded boarding school, blending suspense with supernatural elements. That same year, Corberó joined the ensemble cast of Física o Química on Antena 3, playing Ruth Gómez, a troubled high school student dealing with family dysfunction, addiction, and relationships in this teen drama that aired from 2008 to 2011; her portrayal from seasons 1 to 3 (2008–2010) garnered significant attention in Spain for its intensity and contributed to the show's high viewership ratings, often exceeding 3 million per episode.[11] Subsequent roles included Margarita de Austria in the historical drama Isabel (2012–2014) on RTVE, where she depicted the young archduchess in key episodes of the series chronicling Queen Isabella I's reign, emphasizing political intrigue and royal dynamics.[11] In 2016, Corberó took a leading role as Daniela Pérez in La embajada, a Telecinco thriller about diplomatic espionage and personal vendettas at a Latin American embassy in Madrid, running for one season and drawing from formats similar to prior hits like Gran Hotel. She also made a brief appearance as herself in the comedy series Paquita Salas that year, a Netflix and Flooxer production satirizing the Spanish entertainment industry. These roles solidified her presence in Spanish television, transitioning from supporting parts to more prominent characters amid a mix of genres.[2]Breakthrough with Money Heist (2017–2021)
Corberó landed the role of Silene Oliveira, code-named Tokyo, in the crime drama series La Casa de Papel (internationally Money Heist), created by Álex Pina and produced by Vancouver Media for Antena 3.[12] Premiering in Spain in 2017, the series follows a group of robbers led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte) executing elaborate heists at the Royal Mint of Spain and later the Bank of Spain, with Tokyo depicted as a volatile, experienced criminal and the narrative's primary voiceover provider whose impulsive actions frequently escalate conflicts within the team.[13] Corberó's casting came after years of domestic television work, positioning this as her first major lead in a high-profile ensemble production.[2] Though initial Spanish broadcasts drew moderate audiences—peaking at around 4 million viewers for the premiere before declining—the series exploded globally after Netflix acquired rights and released the first two parts internationally on December 20, 2017, amassing billions of viewing hours and ranking as the streamer's top non-English-language title by 2018.[14] Corberó's portrayal of Tokyo, emphasizing the character's raw intensity and relational dynamics, contributed significantly to the show's resonance, with her performance highlighted in analyses of its character-driven tension.[15] This surge marked her breakthrough, transitioning her from Spanish-language recognition to international stardom, as evidenced by her 2018 nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Series at the Premios Feroz and a win for Best Actress at the Iris Awards.[3][16] The production continued with Netflix-original parts 3 through 5 (2019–2021), in which Corberó reprised Tokyo across all 41 episodes, navigating escalating stakes including romantic subplots and betrayals that underscored her role's centrality.[12] The franchise's sustained dominance—demanding 31.75 times more global attention than average series in 2020—cemented Corberó's visibility, prompting her reflections on the role's transformative demands, such as embodying vulnerability amid high-stakes action.[17][18] By the 2021 finale, the series had propelled her toward Hollywood opportunities, though she noted initial apprehensions about fame's intensity post-release.[19]International and recent projects (2020–present)
In 2021, Corberó made her Hollywood debut in the action film Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, directed by Robert Schwentke and produced by Paramount Pictures, where she portrayed Anastasia Cisarovna, known as the Baroness, a high-ranking operative for the terrorist organization Cobra.[20][21] The film, a reboot focusing on the origins of the titular character, featured an international cast including Henry Golding and Samara Weaving, and was released on July 23, 2021.[22] That year, she also starred in the Netflix series Sky Rojo (2021–2023), created by Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato—the team behind Money Heist—as Coral, one of three sex workers fleeing their pimp in a high-octane chase across Spain.[23] The Spanish-language production, distributed globally on Netflix, ran for three seasons with the final one premiering on January 27, 2023. Corberó provided the English voice for Lola, a Sith-affiliated character, in the "Sith" episode of Star Wars: Visions Season 2, an anthology series of anime shorts produced by Disney+ and released on May 4, 2023.[24] The episode, directed by Japanese studio Kamikaze Douga, explored dark side lore within the Star Wars universe.[25] In 2023, she headlined the Netflix miniseries Burning Body (El cuerpo en llamas), portraying Rosa Peral, a real-life Spanish police officer convicted of murdering her ex-partner in a case that drew widespread media attention in 2017; the eight-episode series, inspired by true events, premiered on September 8.[26][27] Corberó joined the ensemble of the Netflix heist comedy Lift (2024), directed by F. Gary Gray, as a skilled thief in a crew led by Kevin Hart's character, tasked with stealing $500 million in gold from a passenger plane; the film was released on January 12, 2024.[28][29] In the Spanish-Argentine psychological drama Kill the Jockey (El jockey), directed by Luis Ortega and released in 2024, she played Abril, the pregnant jockey girlfriend of the protagonist in a story of addiction, betrayal, and the underbelly of horse racing; the film premiered at festivals before a limited theatrical run starting July 2, 2025, in select markets.[30][31] Corberó appeared in the 2024 adaptation of The Day of the Jackal for Peacock and Sky, a 10-episode spy thriller remake of the Frederick Forsyth novel, as Nuria, the Spanish wife and mother to the child of the assassin (played by Eddie Redmayne); the series debuted on November 7, 2024, in the UK and November 14 in the US.[32][33]Public image and cultural impact
Rise to global fame and media presence
Úrsula Corberó's portrayal of Tokyo in the Spanish series La Casa de Papel (known internationally as Money Heist), which premiered on Antena 3 in Spain on May 2, 2017, marked her breakthrough to global stardom after Netflix acquired the rights and released it worldwide later that year.[12] The series rapidly became a Netflix phenomenon, amassing over 65 million viewers in its first month by December 2017 and topping charts in 190 countries, propelling Corberó from a recognized Spanish television actress to an international figure.[14] Her character's impulsive and charismatic traits, narrated in the first person, contributed to the show's cultural impact, with Corberó's performance earning her a nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series at the 6th Premios Feroz in 2019 and an Ondas Award for Best Actress in Fiction.[3] Following the series' success, Corberó signed with the Hollywood agency WME in August 2018, facilitating her entry into English-language projects and expanding her media footprint.[34] She became the face of Bvlgari's fragrance campaigns starting in 2019, appearing in advertisements that highlighted her as a style icon influenced by Tokyo's bold aesthetic.[35] Media appearances proliferated, including features in Vogue España (September 2023) and Harper's Bazaar interviews discussing her transition to action roles like Snake Eyes (2021), where she played the villainess Veracruz.[36][37] Her global media presence extended to high-profile endorsements and red-carpet events, such as the 2018 Goyas, solidifying her as a versatile actress amid Money Heist's five-season run concluding in 2021.[38] Subsequent roles in Netflix's Lift (2024) alongside Kevin Hart further leveraged her heist-genre fame, with promotional tours amplifying her visibility in outlets like Vogue.[39]Reception of performances and criticisms
Corberó garnered early critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ruth Gómez in the Spanish teen drama Física o Química (2008–2010), a role involving the depiction of bulimia that drew controversy for the series' treatment of mental health issues but was praised for her committed performance.[5] Her breakthrough as Tokyo in Money Heist (2017–2021) propelled her to international prominence, with the character's impulsive and resilient traits aligning with the ensemble's dynamic, though professional reviews focused more on the series' plotting than individual turns. The role contributed to her receiving the Iris Award for Best Actress in 2018.[40] In later projects, Corberó's performance as Rosa Peral in the 2023 Netflix miniseries Burning Body—based on a real-life murder case—was commended for its emotional depth and ability to sustain viewer engagement amid narrative complexities and production shortcomings.[41][42] This led to nominations including Best Actress in a TV Series at the 2023 Ondas Awards, the 2023 Forqué Awards, and the 2024 Feroz Awards.[40] For her supporting role as Nuria in the 2024 series The Day of the Jackal, she earned a 2025 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, shared with the cast.[43] Criticisms of Corberó's work have primarily emerged from audience feedback rather than professional critiques, with some viewers faulting her emotional range and delivery in high-stakes scenes of Money Heist, describing Tokyo's portrayals as overwrought or unconvincing. Corberó herself has voiced reservations about action-oriented roles, admitting in a 2024 interview that she dislikes them and feels "pretty bad at it," reflecting potential limitations in physically demanding genres.[44] In discussing The Day of the Jackal, she expressed confusion over her character's perceived weakness compared to her history of portraying assertive women, suggesting self-awareness of typecasting challenges.[45]Social and political views
Advocacy for feminism and gender issues
Corberó has publicly identified as a feminist, emphasizing the need to rectify longstanding gender imbalances. In a September 2018 interview, she argued that "the grand battle [for women] is that maybe we need things to balance out a bit more so it can be equal," adding that perceptions of feminism going "overboard" are warranted given "it's been so unequal for such a long time that it's necessary we go overboard a bit."[46] In July 2018, amid Argentina's legislative debate on abortion legalization, Corberó joined Spanish artists including Joan Manuel Serrat and Miguel Ríos in a campaign video advocating for the measure. She concluded the spot with a direct appeal: "Aborto legal en la salud pública de la Argentina, como es en España," aligning the call with Spain's existing framework for elective abortion up to 14 weeks.[47][48] Corberó extended her advocacy through humanitarian efforts focused on girls' rights. Appointed a Save the Children ambassador on July 11, 2023, she committed to advancing gender equality by aiding girls' education and opposing violations such as forced child marriage, female genital mutilation, and trafficking. She highlighted encounters with "girls with wonderful potential... who only need a bit of support to make their dreams come true," crediting the organization for enabling such opportunities.[49]Positions on other social causes
Corberó has advocated for environmental protection, emphasizing the need for systemic changes to address climate change. In June 2020, she contributed to Greenpeace's #REInventaElSistema campaign, which sought to reorient post-COVID-19 economic recovery toward sustainability, including green transformations of production and land use to align with planetary health.[50][51] She has also supported initiatives focused on water resources and conservation. In 2017, Corberó served on the jury for the fourth edition of the We Art Water Film Festival, an international short-film competition organized by the We Are Water Foundation to promote awareness of water access, management, and related environmental challenges.[52][53] In ocean conservation efforts, Corberó endorsed a March 2023 open letter alongside actors Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, calling on world leaders to ratify a United Nations treaty protecting 30 percent of marine waters from overexploitation and pollution.[54]Philanthropy
Involvement with charities
Corberó was appointed as the first global Spanish ambassador for Save the Children on July 11, 2023, committing to long-term support for vulnerable girls, humanitarian emergencies, and initiatives against child marriages while promoting gender equality.[49][55] Her inaugural campaign with the organization, launched on September 21, 2023, featured the slogan “Cásate contra el matrimonio infantil” to combat the rising incidence of child marriages, a practice increasing for the first time in two decades.[56] In addition to international efforts, Corberó has engaged with domestic causes in Spain, including attendance at the Ausonia Against Breast Cancer event in Madrid on February 16, 2010.[57] She lent her image to a 2013 breast cancer awareness initiative under the motto "Together we are stronger."[58] Corberó has also supported childhood cancer research through collaboration with the Atresmedia Foundation and participation in the #YoRedondeo donation rounding program, which channels micro-donations from consumer purchases to pediatric oncology efforts.[58] Further, she endorsed the #IHAVEUNDRESSED campaign for epidermolysis bullosa (Piel de Mariposa) by amplifying it via social media alongside other celebrities, contributing to broader awareness of the rare skin disorder.[59]Personal life
Romantic relationships
Corberó's earliest publicly documented relationship was with actor Israel Rodríguez, a co-star on the Spanish series Física o Química, beginning in 2008 and lasting two years until 2010.[60][61] In late 2011, she dated professional tennis player Feliciano López for approximately five months, a union marked by public sightings but short duration.[60][4] Corberó was involved with model and actor Andrés Velencoso from 2013 to 2016, a three-year relationship that followed his split from singer Kylie Minogue and included frequent public appearances in Madrid.[60] Since 2016, Corberó has been in a committed relationship with Argentine actor Ricardo "Chino" Darín, met during filming of the series La Embajada. The couple, who have not married, frequently appear together at events and shared vacations, such as in Uruguay in 2022.[62][63] In September 2025, they announced Corberó's pregnancy with their first child.[64]Family and recent developments
Úrsula Corberó Delgado was born on August 11, 1989, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, to Pedro Corberó, a carpenter, and Esther Delgado, a shopkeeper.[1][4] She has one older sister, Mónica, and the family resided in Sant Pere de Vilamajor during her childhood.[65] Corberó has cited her mother's experience of leaving school early due to pregnancy with Mónica as a significant influence.[61] In September 2025, Corberó announced she is expecting her first child with longtime partner Chino Darín, an Argentine actor, sharing a black-and-white ultrasound image on Instagram.[64][66] The couple, who began dating around 2016, have not publicly confirmed marriage.[67] Corberó, aged 36 at the time of the announcement, continued professional commitments, including wrapping production on the project Rose's Baby shortly before the reveal.[68]Works
Television
Corberó's television debut occurred in 2002 with the role of Maria in the Catalan-language series Mirall trencat, marking her entry into acting at age 13.[2] She followed with supporting parts, including Sara in the soap opera Ventdelplà from 2005 to 2006 and an appearance in the crime series Cuenta atrás in 2007.[2] In 2008, she portrayed Manuela Portillo in the mystery drama El internado, a popular Spanish series that aired for five seasons.[2] Her breakthrough role came as Ruth Gómez, a rebellious student dealing with personal and social issues, in the teen drama Física o Química, which ran from 2008 to 2011 and helped establish her as a prominent young actress in Spain.[69] Subsequent television work included guest spots and recurring roles, such as in La duquesa (2010) and Gran reserva (2010–2013), before she took on the historical part of Margarita de Austria in Isabel (2012–2014), a series depicting the life of Queen Isabella I of Castile.[70] Corberó achieved global recognition portraying Silene Oliveira, alias Tokyo, in the heist crime drama La casa de papel (2017–2021), produced by Antena 3 and later distributed internationally by Netflix; the character, a skilled thief with a turbulent backstory, appeared across 41 episodes and contributed to the series' status as Netflix's most-watched non-English-language show by viewership metrics in 2018.[12] She also appeared as Inés Santiago in the British-American series Snatch (2017), a comedy-crime adaptation, and had a cameo in the Spanish comedy [Paquita Salas](/page/Paquita Salas) (2016–2019).[71] More recent credits include the lead role of Lucía Santos in the Netflix miniseries Burning Body (2023), a true-crime drama based on a 2017 Barcelona police scandal involving arson and murder.[70] In 2024, she featured as Nuria in the Peacock/Sky limited series The Day of the Jackal, an adaptation of the Frederick Forsyth novel, and as Runi in the Amazon Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.[72] She is also set to appear as Abril in the upcoming series El jockey.[72]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Network/Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Mirall trencat | Maria | TV3 | Debut role[2] |
| 2005–2006 | Ventdelplà | Sara | TV3 | Supporting[2] |
| 2007 | Cuenta atrás | Unknown | Telecinco | Guest appearance[2] |
| 2008 | El internado | Manuela Portillo | Antena 3 | Recurring[2] |
| 2008–2011 | Física o Química | Ruth Gómez | Antena 3 | Breakthrough; 65 episodes[69] |
| 2012–2014 | Isabel | Margarita de Austria | RTVE | Historical drama[70] |
| 2017 | Snatch | Inés Santiago | Crackle | 3 episodes[71] |
| 2017–2021 | La casa de papel | Tokyo (Silene Oliveira) | Antena 3/Netflix | Lead; 41 episodes[12] |
| 2023 | Burning Body | Lucía Santos | Netflix | Miniseries; lead[70] |
| 2024 | The Day of the Jackal | Nuria | Peacock/Sky | Limited series[72] |
| 2024 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Runi | Amazon Prime Video | Guest[72] |
Film
Corberó began her film career with supporting roles in Spanish productions, gradually transitioning to lead parts and international projects following her television success.[69] Her early films include the 2011 horror thriller Paranormal Xperience 3D, where she portrayed Belén, a character investigating paranormal activity. In 2013, she appeared as Paula in the comedy Who Killed Bambi?, a satirical take on consumerism and youth culture. That same year, she took dual roles as María and Laura in Afterparty, a drama exploring post-adolescent relationships.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Off Course (Perdiendo el Norte) | Nadia | Comedy about Spanish expatriates in Germany. |
| 2015 | How to Survive a Bachelorette Party (Cómo sobrevivir a una despedida) | Marta | Lead role in ensemble comedy.[73] |
| 2016 | The Broken Crown (La corona partida) | Infanta Margarita of Austria | Historical drama on Spanish monarchy. |
| 2017 | Proyecto Tiempo: Parte I - La Llave | Alma | Sci-fi thriller directed by Isabel Coixet.[74] |
| 2017 | The Emoji Movie | Sonrisas (voice, Spanish dub) | Animated comedy; provided dubbing for Smiley emoji. |
| 2018 | The Tree of Blood (El árbol de la sangre) | Rebeca | Psychological thriller uncovering family secrets.[75] |
| 2019 | Seberg | Mylene | Biographical drama on actress Jean Seberg. |
| 2021 | Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins | Baroness | Hollywood action film; marked U.S. debut in major role. |
| 2024 | Lift | Camila | Heist comedy directed by F. Gary Gray. |
| 2024 | Kill the Jockey (El Jockey) | Abril | Drama on personal and professional struggles in racing world. |
Theater and other
Corberó made her stage debut in 2012, portraying Deborah in the Spanish production of David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Perversiones sexuales en Chicago), directed by Juan Pedro Campoy and produced by La Ruta Teatro.[76] The play, a comedic exploration of interpersonal relationships and sexual dynamics, ran at venues including the Teatre Villarroel in Barcelona and the Auditorio Parque de Gijón, featuring a cast that included Javier Pereira as Danny, Cristina Alcázar as Joan, and Fernando Gil.[77] Critics noted the production's fast-paced rhythm and direct style, though Corberó's performance as the novice stage actress received mixed reviews for vocal projection amid the ensemble's energy.[78] No subsequent theater roles have been prominently documented in her career, which has primarily focused on screen work.[79] In voice acting, Corberó provided the Spanish dub for characters in animated features, including Sam Sparks in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) and Katie, the owner of the dog Max, in The Secret Life of Pets (2016).[80] She later voiced Lola, a bounty hunter, in the Spanish version of the anthology series Star Wars: Visions episode "The Pit" (2023).[81] Corberó has appeared in music videos, including a featured role in Auryn's "Heartbreaker" (2013) and as the lead narrative figure in J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, and Tainy's bilingual track "Un Día (One Day)" (2020), which depicts themes of nostalgia and lost romance.[82]Awards and nominations
Úrsula Corberó has garnered three award wins and eleven nominations across various ceremonies, primarily for her television roles.[3]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Iris Awards | Best Actress | Won | Money Heist[3][40] |
| 2018 | Premios Feroz | Best Lead Actress in a Series | Nominated | Money Heist[40] |
| 2020 | Platino Awards | Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Series | Nominated | Money Heist[40] |
| 2023 | Ondas Awards | Best Actress in National Television | Won | Burning Body[3][83] |
| 2023 | Premios Forqué | Best Actress in a TV Series | Nominated | Burning Body |
| 2024 | Premios Feroz | Best Actress in a Series | Nominated | Burning Body[84] |
| 2025 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | The Day of the Jackal[84] |
| 2025 | Silver Condor Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | Kill the Jockey[3] |