María León

María León Barrios (born 30 July 1984) is a Spanish actress from Seville, Andalusia. She is best known for her performances as Leti in SMS and Carmen in Allí abajo.

Career León trained at the La Platea school in Madrid and later with Ana Rodríguez Costa in Barcelona. She landed her first starring role in the television series SMS: Sin Miedo a Soñar. Following this, she appeared in various television projects, including Cuenta atrás, Maitena: Estados alterados, and the sketch comedy series La tira, as well as the TV movie Una bala para el rey. Her early film credits include roles in the comedies Fuga de cerebros and Cuerpo de élite. León became best known for her role in the 2011 film The Sleeping Voice, for which she won Silver Shell for Best Actress at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Goya Award for Best New Actress. She has played the main role of Carmen in Allí abajo since 2015, which includes appearances from her mother. She has also acted alongside her brother, Paco León, in his show Aída and on The House of Flowers (playing siblings in the latter), and performed as a character based on herself in the Carmina films Paco directed, which star their mother. as well as The House of Flowers and the films Escapada and Los Japón. She also filmed La lista, a dramatic comedy about breast cancer, with Victoria Abril, in Granada, Valencia, and Seville.

Selected filmography

Accolades Year Award Category Work Result 2011 Silver Shell for Best Actress The Sleeping Voice 2012 Best New Actor or Actress Best New Actress Best Film Actress in a Leading Role 2013 Best Supporting Actress Carmina or Blow Up Best Supporting Actress Neox Fan Awards Best Actress Con el culo al aire 2015 Best Supporting Actress Carmina and Amen Best Actress Marseille Best Supporting Actress Carmina and Amen Best Actress Marseille 2020 Best Actress in an International Production The House of Flowers 2023 Best Supporting Actress Oliver's Universe Best Supporting Actress Close Your Eyes Best Supporting Actress in a Series The Asunta Case