Anya Chalotra

Anya Chalotra (born ) is an English actress known for her performances across stage and screen. Following her professional debut in Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe, she made her screen debut in the BBC One drama series Wanderlust (2018) and The ABC Murders (2018). She gained wider recognition for her starring role as Yennefer in the Netflix fantasy series The Witcher (2019–present).

Early life and education Anya Chalotra was born in Wolverhampton, to an Indian father and an English mother. She was raised in Lower Penn, South Staffordshire, alongside an older sister and a younger brother. Chalotra attended St Dominic's Grammar School in Brewood, where she first began performing in school productions and youth theatre groups. To pursue a career in acting, she moved to London to complete a foundation course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), followed by a three-year degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Career Theatre Chalotra began her career on the stage and went on to star in several critically acclaimed productions. In 2017, she made her professional debut as Hero in Matthew Dunster's Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe. She subsequently earned acclaim for her performance as Jyoti in Nadia Fall's production of April De Angelis' The Village at Stratford East in 2018, and for her supporting role as Sabine in Jonathan Kent's production of David Hare’s Peter Gynt at the National Theatre in 2019. The Guardian's Michael Billington described her as "compelling," noting her transition from a "strong-willed adolescent to fiery militant."

She earned further critical acclaim for her performance as Zula when she returned to the stage in 2023 to lead Conor McPherson's stage adaptation of Cold War, directed by Rupert Goold at the Almeida Theatre, a role she performed through early 2024. The Times lauded her "extraordinary élan and ease," as the impassioned, impulsive Zula, noting she appeared "barely to be acting at all," while The telegraph described her as “a bewitching revelation" Film and television

Chalotra made her screen debut in 2018 as Jennifer Ashman in the BBC comedy-drama series Wanderlust. That same year, she appeared as Lily Marbury in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders. Shortly after, it was announced that she had been cast as Yennefer in the Netflix fantasy drama The Witcher. Her performance was widely praised and established the role as her international breakthrough. Following a seven-year tenure in the role, Chalotra completed filming the series in late 2025; the fifth and final season is scheduled for release in late 2026. During the production of the series, she also starred in the Sky Arts short film No Masks (2020), which was based on real-life testimonies of frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, it was announced that Chalotra would star in the satirical thriller Two Neighbors, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2025. In February 2026, it was announced that she had joined the cast of the second Luther feature film for Netflix, alongside Idris Elba.

Acting credits Film Year Title Role Notes 2025 The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep Yennefer Voice Two Neighbors Becky TBA Filming

Television Year Title Role Notes 2018 Wanderlust Jennifer Ashman Miniseries; 5 episodes The ABC Murders Lily Marbury Miniseries; 3 episodes 2019 Sherwood Robin Loxley Voice; 10 episodes 2019–present The Witcher Yennefer Main role 2020 No Masks Dr. Anuja TV Short film 2024 Twilight of the Gods Sif Voice; 3 episodes 2024–present Creature Commandos Circe Voice; 3 episodes

Theatre Year Title Role Theater 2017 Much Ado About Nothing Hero Shakespeare's Globe 2018 The Village Jyoti Theatre Royal Stratford East 2019 Peter Gynt Sabine Royal National Theatre 2021 Maryland Mary 2 Theatre Royal Stratford East 2023–2024 Cold War Zula Almeida Theatre

Audio Year Title Role 2019 Sense & Sensibility Marianne 2020–2021 The Cipher Sabrina 2023 Moriarty: The Silent Order Agatha

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref2017 The Stage Awards Best Actress in a PlayMuch Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare's Globe 2018 UK / West End BroadwayWorld Awards Best Actress in a PlayThe Village, Theatre Royal Stratford East 2020 IMDb STARmeter Awards Breakout Star The Witcher