Michelle Jenner
Michelle Jenner Husson (born 14 September 1986) is a Spanish actress and voice actress renowned for her extensive work in television, film, and dubbing.[1] Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, she comes from a family immersed in the performing arts, with her father Miguel Ángel Jenner being a prominent voice actor and her mother Martine Husson a dancer and actress; her brother David Jenner is also a voice actor.[2] Jenner began her career at the age of two, appearing in television commercials and later providing voiceovers for animated and live-action projects, including dubbing the child character Giosuè in La vida es bella (1997) and Hermione Granger in the Spanish versions of the Harry Potter film series.[3][2] Jenner's breakthrough in live-action came in 2005 when she landed the role of Sara Miranda in the Antena 3 television series Los hombres de Paco, which propelled her to national fame in Spain over six seasons.[1] She trained in theater, singing, and dancing from a young age, making her stage debut in productions like El misàntrop and transitioning to film with roles in Nubes de verano (2003) and Spanish Movie (2009).[1] Her performance as Silvia in the 2010 drama No tengas miedo earned her a Goya Award nomination for Best New Actress, highlighting her versatility in dramatic roles.[3] In historical television, Jenner portrayed Queen Isabella I of Castile in the acclaimed series Isabel (2012–2014), which garnered widespread praise for its production and her lead performance.[3] She has continued to build an international profile, voicing characters like Sara in Tadeo Jones (2012) and Amy in Atrapa la bandera (2015), while starring in recent projects such as the Netflix series Berlin (2023), a spin-off of Money Heist where she played Keila, leading to its renewal for a second season.[1][4] Her upcoming film, the psychological thriller The Nest (2026), further cements her status in contemporary Spanish cinema.[5]Early life
Upbringing and family
Michelle Jenner was born on September 14, 1986, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.[6] She grew up in an artistic household, with her father, Miguel Ángel Jenner, working as a Spanish actor, voice actor, and theater performer involved in film and dubbing productions.[7] Her mother, Martine Husson, is a French actress and music-hall dancer, contributing to a multilingual family environment influenced by both Spanish and French cultural elements.[8][9] Jenner's childhood unfolded in Barcelona's vibrant creative scene, where her parents' professions fostered an early exposure to performance arts. The family dynamics emphasized artistic expression, with her older brother, David Jenner Husson, later pursuing a career in voice acting, further embedding performance within the household.[10] This environment, blending Spanish and Catalan linguistic influences alongside French from her mother, sparked Jenner's initial interest in acting and voice work.[11] At the age of two, she began appearing in television commercials, marking her entry into the industry.[10] At age six, this early foundation led to her transition into formal voice acting training.[10]Education and training
Michelle Jenner attended La Salle Bonanova, a school in Barcelona offering bilingual instruction in Catalan and Spanish, during her early education.[12] From a young age, she pursued formal training in theater, singing, and dance at the Company & Company School in Barcelona, building foundational skills in performance arts.[13] Her family's artistic background, particularly her father Miguel Ángel Jenner's career in dubbing, served as an initial motivator for her interest in voice work.[14] At age six, Jenner began her voice acting career by chance, participating in a dubbing session that led to ongoing voice coaching and specialized training in dubbing techniques for both Catalan and Spanish languages at local studios.[14] This early involvement, guided by her father's mentorship in the dubbing industry, honed her vocal versatility and timing essential for synchronization.[15] Following the completion of her high school studies, she enrolled in the Nancy Tuñón Acting School in Barcelona, where she completed the first year of intensive acting training focused on improvisation, character development, and stage presence before relocating to Madrid for professional opportunities.[13] Through these programs and her bilingual schooling, Jenner developed proficiency in Spanish and Catalan, supplemented by exposure to French from her mother and English from her father's heritage, skills that proved vital for her multilingual dubbing work.[12]Career
Live-action acting
Michelle Jenner's breakthrough in live-action acting came with her portrayal of Sara Miranda, the daughter of a police officer, in the long-running Spanish television series Los hombres de Paco (2005–2010), a role that spanned over 100 episodes and solidified her as a rising star in Spanish television.[16] Following this, she transitioned to film with a lead role as Silvia, a young woman confronting childhood trauma, in the psychological drama No tengas miedo (Don't Be Afraid, 2011), directed by Montxo Armendáriz, marking her entry into more introspective cinematic roles.[17][18] Her career progressed significantly with the lead role of Queen Isabella I of Castile in the historical drama series Isabel (2012–2014), where she depicted the monarch's rise to power across 37 episodes, followed by reprising the character in the film sequel La corona partida (The Broken Crown, 2016), performances that garnered praise for bringing depth to Spain's historical narratives.[19][20] During this period, she also appeared in supporting roles in films such as Todas las mujeres (All the Women, 2013), playing the young lover Ona in Mariano Barroso's ensemble drama exploring male-female relationships.[21][22] In recent years, Jenner has evolved from domestic supporting parts to prominent leads in international co-productions, reflecting her growing global appeal. In 2023, she starred as Keila, a key member of a heist crew, in the Netflix spin-off series La casa de papel: Berlín (Berlin), and as Liliana, a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, in the Netflix film Bird Box Barcelona; she also played Begoña, a privileged daughter on a family journey, in the comedy Ocho apellidos marroquís (A Moroccan Affair).[23][24][25] Her parallel voice acting career has served as a complementary skill, enhancing her on-screen emotional range. Looking ahead, Jenner continues this trajectory with roles in 2025 projects, including Celia, a passionate seamstress in a time-spanning romance, in the film El secreto del orfebre (The Goldsmith's Secret); Sonia, a social worker entangled in supernatural events, in the Prime Video horror series Dime tu nombre (Tell Me Your Name); and Marta, a mother obsessed with protecting her family, in the psychological thriller film The Nest.[26][27][5] This shift toward lead positions in high-profile, multinational productions underscores her maturation from early television ensemble casts to commanding international narratives.[28]Voice acting
Michelle Jenner began her voice acting career at the age of six, debuting in Catalan dubbing for various productions, which laid the foundation for her extensive work in multilingual adaptations.[29] One of her earliest and most notable roles was voicing Hermione Granger, performed by Emma Watson, in the Catalan versions of the first four Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2007, a contribution that introduced her to international audiences through synchronized dubbing that matched the original lip movements and emotional delivery.[30] This early start, influenced by her father's profession as a dubbing actor, allowed her to develop skills in voicing young characters across animated and live-action media.[29] Throughout her career, Jenner has been a prominent voice in Disney and international animated features, particularly in Spanish and Catalan dubs. She lent her voice to Anna in the Catalan version of Frozen (2013), capturing the character's spirited and optimistic personality while ensuring phonetic alignment with the English original.[31] Similarly, she voiced Rapunzel in the Spanish dub of Tangled (2010), bringing energy and nuance to the adventurous princess in a production that required precise timing for song sequences and dialogue.[30] Her portfolio extends to other animated works, such as voicing characters in Spanish adaptations of films like The Prince of Egypt and various Pixar features, demonstrating her versatility in both child-friendly and more mature animated narratives.[30] In adult-oriented animations and foreign films, Jenner has dubbed roles in international releases, including emotional performances in dramas like Life Is Beautiful (voicing the child protagonist Giosué) and video games such as Horizon Forbidden West, where she adapted complex English-language scripts for Spanish audiences.[30] Spanning over three decades since her debut in 1992, Jenner's voice work has significantly contributed to the promotion of Catalan-language media, helping to make global blockbusters accessible in her native region and fostering cultural preservation through dubbing.[32] She has highlighted the challenges of multilingual voice matching, such as achieving "symbiosis" with original actors by studying their emotional intent and recording extensively—often up to 150 hours per project—to synchronize intonation, accents, and pacing across languages like Catalan and Spanish.[15] These techniques underscore her role in bridging linguistic barriers, ensuring authenticity in adaptations that resonate with diverse viewers.[15]Personal life
Relationships and family
Michelle Jenner began a long-term relationship with Javier García González, a dog trainer and co-founder of the canine training company Detectores, in September 2012. The couple maintained a low-profile partnership for over a decade, residing in a countryside home near Barcelona where they raised animals and cultivated a small garden.[33][34] In July 2019, Jenner and García welcomed their son, Hugo García Jenner. Jenner has described motherhood as a profound and joyful experience but has openly acknowledged the challenges of balancing it with her demanding acting career, noting that it is "not easy to combine" the two roles, especially given the irregular schedules of film and television productions. Post-2019, she adjusted her professional commitments to prioritize family time while continuing high-profile projects.[35][36][37] The relationship ended in 2023, with the separation occurring before the summer of that year; the news was confirmed publicly in October. Jenner and García have committed to co-parenting their son amicably, continuing to shield their family life from media scrutiny in line with their longstanding preference for privacy. No other significant romantic relationships or marriages have been publicly documented in Jenner's life.[33][34][38]Public image and privacy
Michelle Jenner has cultivated a public image as a versatile and professional actress within the Spanish entertainment industry, often commended for her authentic and grounded presence in interviews. Critics and journalists have highlighted her ability to transition seamlessly between genres, from historical dramas to modern thrillers, portraying her as a dedicated performer who prioritizes craft over spectacle.[39] Her sincerity in discussions about professional challenges and personal growth has earned praise, with outlets describing her as refreshingly honest and relatable, avoiding the polished facades common among celebrities.[40] Jenner maintains a strong preference for privacy, particularly following her separation and during her experiences with motherhood, opting for a low-profile approach that limits media exposure of her personal life. She has expressed discomfort with social media's intrusive nature, noting in earlier interviews that it evokes a sense of fear due to its potential for overexposure, which aligns with her selective online presence focused primarily on professional updates rather than intimate details.[41] This stance extends to her responses to media inquiries, where she consistently emphasizes boundaries, such as eluding questions about personal or intimate topics to preserve a sense of mystery.[42] Reports indicate she leads a discreet life away from the spotlight, prioritizing tranquility and family time between projects, which has been respected in coverage that notes her guarded approach to intrusions.[43] In terms of advocacy, Jenner has voiced support for women's issues in media, advocating against the objectification of female bodies and promoting feminism as a means to ensure expressive freedom. She has publicly critiqued societal pressures on women's physical appearances, arguing that feminism defends the right to authenticity without judgment.[44] Her reflections on these topics, shared through select platforms, underscore a commitment to empowering women in the industry, though she approaches such causes with the same measured discretion as her personal matters.[45]Awards and nominations
Live-action accolades
Michelle Jenner's live-action performances have garnered significant recognition within the Spanish film and television industry, particularly for her breakthrough roles in the early 2010s that showcased her range from dramatic intensity to historical portrayal. Her work in films and series earned her multiple accolades, highlighting her transition from supporting roles to leading actress honors.[46] In 2012, Jenner received the Best Actress award at the Cinema Writers Circle Awards (Premios CEC) for her role as Silvia in the psychological thriller No tengas miedo (Don't Be Afraid), directed by Montxo Armendáriz, where she portrayed a young woman confronting childhood trauma through therapy.[47] That same year, she won the Sant Jordi Award for Best Spanish Actress for the same performance, presented by RNE in Barcelona, underscoring the film's critical acclaim for its exploration of vulnerability and recovery. She was also nominated for Best New Actress at the Goya Awards for No tengas miedo.[48][49][50] Jenner's portrayal of the young Isabel la Católica in the TVE historical series Isabel (2012–2014) marked a pivotal point in her career, leading to several television honors. In 2013, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Iris Awards by the Spanish Television Academy for her nuanced depiction of the queen's formative years, though the award went to another performer.[46][51] She won the National Television: Best Actress at the Ondas Awards that year, recognizing the series' impact on Spanish broadcasting and her commanding presence in the role.[52] Additionally, she received the Best TV Actress Fotogramas de Plata in 2013 for Isabel, an honor voted by readers of the prominent film magazine, celebrating her ability to embody historical gravitas.[53] In 2013, Jenner also won the New York Latin ACE Award for Best Actress for Isabel, affirming her international appeal in the Latin entertainment community.[46] For her supporting role as Carmen in the 2013 ensemble drama Todas las mujeres (All the Women), directed by Mariano Barroso, Jenner earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2014 Cinema Writers Circle Awards, noting her contribution to the film's examination of masculinity and relationships. Further accolades for Isabel followed, including the 2014 nomination for Best Actress at the Iris Awards. In 2015, she won the Premio ACE for Best Actress in Television, awarded by the Association of Latin Entertainment Critics, which praised her sustained excellence across the series' seasons. That year, she also received the Fotogramas de Plata for Best TV Actress and the Award of the Spanish Actors Union for Television: Lead Performance, Female, both for Isabel.[46][54][46][55]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Goya Awards | Best New Actress | No tengas miedo | Nominated[50] |
| 2012 | Cinema Writers Circle Awards (CEC) | Best Actress | No tengas miedo | Won |
| 2012 | Sant Jordi Awards | Best Spanish Actress | No tengas miedo | Won[48] |
| 2013 | Iris Awards | Best Actress | Isabel | Nominated[46] |
| 2013 | Ondas Awards | National Television: Best Actress | Isabel | Won[52] |
| 2013 | Fotogramas de Plata | Best TV Actress | Isabel | Won[53] |
| 2013 | New York Latin ACE Awards | Best Actress | Isabel | Won[46] |
| 2014 | Iris Awards | Best Actress | Isabel | Nominated[46] |
| 2014 | Cinema Writers Circle Awards (CEC) | Best Supporting Actress | Todas las mujeres | Nominated |
| 2015 | Premio ACE | TV - Best Actress | Isabel | Won[46] |
| 2015 | Fotogramas de Plata | Best TV Actress | Isabel | Won[46] |
| 2015 | Award of the Spanish Actors Union | Television: Lead Performance, Female | Isabel | Won[55] |
Voice acting accolades
Michelle Jenner's voice acting has garnered recognition primarily within Spanish-language media, particularly for her contributions to video game dubbing. In 2017, she won the Best Female Dubbing award at the Premios DoblajeVideojuegos for her performance as Aloy and Elisabet Sobeck in the Spanish version of Horizon Zero Dawn, an accolade determined by public vote.[56] This honor highlighted her ability to convey emotional depth in a lead role for a critically acclaimed title, marking a significant milestone in her video game voice work.[57] Her dubbing efforts in animated films and series, including roles in Disney productions such as the Spanish voice of Belle in the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast, have been praised for their versatility, though they have not resulted in formal awards from major bodies like the Premios ACE.[30] Similarly, her early contributions to the Catalan dubbing of Hermione Granger in the first four Harry Potter films during the early 2000s earned her acclaim in regional media for bridging international franchises with local audiences, but without specific award nominations. Despite her extensive multilingual dubbing portfolio, which spans animation, film, and video games up to 2025, Jenner has not received nominations from international organizations such as the BAFTA Games Awards or the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR). Her accolades remain focused on regional Spanish industry honors, underscoring her impact within the Iberian dubbing community rather than broader global recognition.[58]Filmography
Live-action television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2001 | El cor de la ciutat | Alícia | Recurring role, 20 episodes |
| 2004 | Porca misèria | Amiga 3 | Guest role, 1 episode |
| 2005–2010 | Los hombres de Paco | Sara Miranda | Main role, 112 episodes |
| 2010 | Inocentes | Sonia | Main role, miniseries (8 episodes) |
| 2010 | La princesa de Éboli | Ana de Austria | Supporting role, miniseries (2 episodes) |
| 2010 | Todas las mujeres | Ona | TV movie |
| 2012–2014 | Isabel | Isabel I de Castilla | Lead role, 39 episodes |
| 2014 | Cuéntame un cuento | Miranda Salazar (La Bella) | Guest role, 1 episode |
| 2015 | El ministerio del tiempo | Isabel I de Castilla | Guest role, 1 episode |
| 2016 | La corona partida | Isabel I de Castilla | Lead role, TV film |
| 2018 | El continental | Andrea Abascal | Lead role, 8 episodes |
| 2018 | La catedral del mar | Mar | Lead role, 8 episodes |
| 2021 | La cocinera de Castamar | Clara Belmonte | Lead role, 12 episodes |
| 2021 | Los hombres de Paco | Sara Miranda | Recurring role, 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Los herederos de la tierra | Mar Estanyol | Lead role, 8 episodes |
| 2022 | Las de la última fila | Paloma | Guest role, 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Zasback | Sara | Guest role, 1 episode |
| 2023 | Berlín | Keila | Main role, 8 episodes |
| 2023 | Tú también lo harías | Elisa Peña | Main role, 6 episodes |
| 2025 | Dime tu nombre | Sonia | Main role, 8 episodes |
| 2025 | Billionaires' Bunker | Roxan | Main role, 8 episodes |
Live-action film
Michelle Jenner's entry into live-action cinema came through supporting roles in Spanish productions during the late 2000s, gradually evolving to more prominent parts in dramas, thrillers, and international collaborations by the 2010s and 2020s. Her film work emphasizes character-driven narratives, often portraying complex women navigating personal and societal challenges. In 2009, she debuted in the parody comedy Spanish Movie, directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera, playing the supporting role of the Fairy. The following year, Jenner appeared as Eva, a supporting character, in the sports drama El circuito español, directed by Imanol Uribe. Her first lead role came in 2011 with the psychological thriller No tengas miedo (Don't Be Afraid), directed by Montxo Armendáriz, where she portrayed Silvia, a young woman confronting childhood trauma. That same year, she played Julia, the female lead, in the science fiction horror Extraterrestre (Extraterrestrial), directed by Nacho Vigalondo. Jenner continued with supporting turns in 2013's ensemble drama Todas las mujeres (All the Women), directed by Mariano Barroso, as the character Ona. In 2014, she appeared in a supporting role as Possessed #1 in the thriller Open Windows, directed by Nacho Vigalondo, marking a collaboration with Elijah Wood (who starred as Nick Chambers).[65] The year 2016 saw Jenner in Pedro Almodóvar's acclaimed drama Julieta, directed by the auteur himself, where she played Beatriz in a supporting capacity.[66] She also led as Bea in the romantic comedy Nuestros amantes (Our Lovers), directed by Miguel Ángel Lamata. In 2018, Jenner took the lead role of Lena in the action thriller Gun City (La sombra de la ley), directed by Dani de la Torre. More recently, she appeared as Begoña, a supporting role, in the comedy Ocho apellidos marroquís (A Moroccan Affair), directed by Fernando Colomo and released in 2023. That year, Jenner also starred as Liliana, one of the leads, in the post-apocalyptic thriller Bird Box Barcelona, co-directed by Àlex Pastor and David Pastor. Looking ahead, Jenner plays Celia in the 2025 romantic drama El secreto del orfebre (The Goldsmith's Secret), directed by Olga Osorio, opposite Mario Casas. In 2025, Jenner starred as Marta in the psychological thriller The Nest, directed by Hugo Stuven.[5] Among her lesser-known works are short films such as SMS, requiem para un centauro (2010), where she appeared in a leading role, directed by Alberto Rodríguez. She also featured in the short La mano invisible (2014), in a supporting capacity, directed by David Macián.Voice acting in film and television
Michelle Jenner has provided voices for a range of animated and live-action dubbed films and television series, primarily in Spanish and occasionally in Catalan, beginning her work in the field as a child in the 1990s.[30] Her credits span iconic franchises and original animations, often portraying young female characters. Notable film dubbing roles include:- Rosy in Balto (1996, Spanish dub).[30]
- Cyan Fitzgerald in Spawn (1997, Spanish dub).[30]
- Clara Templeton in Photographing Fairies (1997, Spanish dub).[30]
- Giosué Orefice in Life Is Beautiful (1999, Spanish dub).[30]
- Hermione Granger in the Spanish dubs of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).[67]
- Violet Baudelaire in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004, Spanish dub).[30]
- Summer Hathaway in School of Rock (2004, Spanish dub).[30]
- Sara Lávrof in Tad, the Lost Explorer (2012, Spanish dub), reprised in Tad, the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas (2017) and Tad, the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet (2022).[68]
- Amy González in Capture the Flag (2015, Spanish dub, animated).[30]
- Anna in Frozen (2013, Catalan dub).[69]