Daniela Melchior

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Daniela Melchior
Daniela Melchior - 2021 (51654741921) (cropped).jpg
Melchior at the Web Summit, Lisbon in 2021
Born
Daniela Melchior dos Reis Lopes Pereira

(1996-11-01) 1 November 1996 (age 28)
Almada, Setúbal, Portugal
OccupationActress
Years active2014–present
Notable work The Suicide Squad , Fast X and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Height168 cm (5 ft 6 in)

Daniela Melchior (European Portuguese: [dɐniˈɛlɐmɛlʃiˈɔɾ] ; born 1 November 1996) is a Portuguese actress. Born in Almada, Portugal, she launched her career in 2014 with a recurring role in telenovela Mulheres  [ pt ], followed by the teen drama Massa Fresca  [ pt ] (2016). Her breakthrough came with the a leading role in the award-winning telenovela Ouro Verde (2017). She went on appear in other telenovelas, such as A Herdeira (2018), Valor da Vida (2018) and Pecado  [ pt ] (2021). Melchior made her film debut in 2018 with The Black Book . She provided the Portuguese dubbing for Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and was cast in the comedy drama Parque Mayer in the same year. Her performance in the latter earned her a nomination for the Sophia Award Best Actress.

Contents

She had her international breakthrough as Cleo Cazo in the DCEU film The Suicide Squad (2021), which earned her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Portuguese Golden Globes. Subsequently, she took on minor and supporting roles in English-language films, including Marlowe (2022), Assassin Club (2023), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), Fast X (2023) and Road House (2024). In 2025, she also joined the cast of Balls Up, American Sweatshop and, Anaconda.

Early life

Daniela Melchior dos Reis Lopes Pereira was born on November 1, 1996, in Almada, Portugal. [1] [2] From a young age, she showed a strong interest in acting, aspiring to become a film star in Europe. [3] She attended a convent school and later did a vocational course in performing arts in high school. [4] [5] [6] During her school years, she participated in local and school theatre productions. [2] [5] At 16, she joined a modelling agency as a way to gain access to the acting industry, appearing in small commercials before eventually landing her first television role. [5]

Career

2014–2021: Portuguese film and television

Melchior started her career in 2014 with the role in telenovela Mulheres  [ pt ] where she starred for 316 episodes and subsequently in 68 episodes of teen drama Massa Fresca  [ pt ] (2016). Her breakthrough came with her first leading role as Cláudia Andrade for 221 episodes of the award-winning [note 1] Portuguese telenovela Ouro Verde (2017), establishing her as one of Portugal’s most promising young actresses. [6] She also participated in other Portuguese film and television productions, such as, telenovelas A Herdeira (2018), Valor da Vida (2018) and Pecado  [ pt ] (2021) and feature-length films The Black Book (2018) and comedy-drama Parque Mayer (2018). [7] [8] [9] [10] Her work in the latter film led her a Sophia Awards nomination for Best Actress and international attention when a representative from the United States noticed her performance, prompting her eventual move to pursue roles abroad. [3] [11] She also provided the Portuguese voice for Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, earning recognition among the comic book fan community in Brazil. [8] [9] [10]

2021–present: Hollywood work

In 2019, James Gunn cast Daniela Melchior as Cleo Cazo, also known as Ratcatcher 2, for his film The Suicide Squad (2021). Melchior was encouraged to present herself in a traditionally glamorous manner for her initial pre-audition meeting, but this approach reportedly did not align with the vision of the film’s producers. For her subsequent audition, Melchior adopted a darker, more eccentric portrayal of the character, which resonated with Gunn and ultimately led to her casting. [10] She also had a chemistry test with fancy rats when auditioning for the role. [12] Melchior as Cleo Cazo marked the first portrayal of a DC Comics character by a Portuguese actress in a DC Extended Universe film. [13] [14] Gunn described Melchior as "the heart of the film," and her character holds the second-longest screen time in the ensemble cast. [15] Critics identified Melchior as the film’s standout, [16] [17] describing her as "luminous,” "wonderfully guileless,” and "the film’s secret weapon.” [17]

In 2022, she appeared in Marlowe directed by Neil Jordan. [18] By March 2022, she joined the cast of the tenth Fast & Furious film titled Fast X. [19] In June 2022, she announced that she would collaborate for the second time with James Gunn in his MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 . She was the first Portuguese actress to appear in an MCU film. [20] In August 2022, she was cast in action-film Road House , a remake of the 1989 film starring Patrick Swayze. [21] In 2024, she joined the cast of action-comedy Balls Up , directed by Peter Farrelly, [22] and in 2025, the mystery thriller American Sweatshop and comedy horror Anaconda, a remake of the 1997 film. [23] [24] [25]

Fashion

In 2023, Melchior went to Paris Fashion Week as a Balmain's muse. [5] [26] On the International Women's Day, French fashion company ba&sh invited Melchior for their new campaign. [27] Melchior was the cover of Vogue Portugal on June 2024, where she wore a red Wolford and Valentino heels with Sintra, Portugal being the backdrop. [28] [29] Melchior is friends with Portuguese designer Alexandra Moura  [ pt ]. [17]

Personal life

In 2018, Melchior featured in a song with lyrics by Catarina Furtado and music composed by Tiago Bettencourt in which addressed and raised awareness about violence in relationships. [30] Melchior has been involved in various activist movements, particularly those focused on anti-racism. In 2020, she participated in Blackout Tuesday, a global wave of protests after the murder of George Floyd, and took part in an anti-racism protest in Lisbon, where she was seen holding a sign that read "Silence is violence." [3] She criticized the launch of the all female space crew Blue Origin's New Shepard, saying "the opposite of women empowerment". [31]

Melchior has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. [32] [33] Before the recording of The Suicide Squad, Melchior suffered from irritable bowel syndrome due to her perceived pression of working with names such as Margot Robbie and Idris Elba. [34] [35]

Filmography

Film

Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2018 The Black Book La Fille [9]
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman Portuguese dub [8]
Parque Mayer Deolinda [9]
2021 The Suicide Squad Cleo Cazo / Ratcatcher 2 [36] [37]
2022 Marlowe Lynn Peterson
2023 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Ura [38]
Assassin Club Sophie [39]
Fast X Isabel Neves
2024 Road House Ellie
2025 American Sweatshop TBA
Anaconda †Ana AlmeidaPost-production
TBA Balls Up †TBAPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014–15Mulheres [40] Viviana Gomes316 episodes
2016Massa Fresca [40] Carminho Santiago68 episodes
2017 Ouro Verde [40] Cláudia Andrade221 episodes
2018 A Herdeira [40] Ariana Franco190 episodes
2018–19 Valor da Vida [40] Isabel Vasconcellos203 episodes
2021PecadoMaria Manuel6 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2019 Sophia Awards Best Actress Parque Mayer Nominated
CinEuphoria AwardsBest Actress - National CompetitionNominated
Best Ensemble - National CompetitionNominated
Prémios FantasticBest Leading Actress (Melhor Actriz Protagonista)Won
2021 Golden Globes (Portugal) Best Newcomer The Suicide Squad Nominated

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Medina, Vic (September 27, 2022). "See Daniela Melchior Flash Some Leg In A Strappy Dress". GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. 1 2 ago, Lara Duarte • 2 anos (November 1, 2021). "#Perfil | Daniela Melchior: internacionalização à vista". ComUM (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 3 Style, ArticlesLife (August 20, 2020). "Interview with Daniela Melchior". Portuguese Soul Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Pessoas Cinema Português". cinemaportuguesmemoriale.pt. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Schartz, Emma (October 26, 2023). "Meet Daniela Melchior, Balmain's Newest Muse". Interview Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Shipra (May 17, 2024). "Daniela Melchior: Rising Star of the Silver Screen - Birmingham Journal" . Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Daniela Melchior Net Worth". September 17, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 18, 2020). "CAA Signs Daniela Melchior, Star Of Upcoming Warner Bros/DC Sequel 'The Suicide Squad'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Ridlehoover, John (April 30, 2019). "'The Suicide Squad' Taps Portuguese Star for Ratcatcher Role". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 Couch, Aaron (August 5, 2021). "Next Big Thing: 'The Suicide Squad' Star Daniela Melchior Goes From Regional Fame to Global Reach". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ Cardoso, Joana Amaral (May 17, 2023). "Daniela Melchior, a nossa enviada aos blockbusters". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Avery (August 6, 2021). "Daniela Melchior: 5 Things To Know About The Breakout Star Of 'The Suicide Squad'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 30, 2019). "Newcomer Daniela Melchior Eyed for Ratcatcher Role in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". Variety . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  14. ↑ White, James (April 30, 2019). "'The Suicide Squad': Daniela Melchior Eyed As Ratcatcher". Empire . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  15. ↑ "The Suicide Squad (2021)". IMDb .
  16. ↑ "Daniela Melchior está a ser elogiada em todo o mundo pelo papel em "O Esquadrão Suicida"". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 "Everyone Is Talking About This Breakout Star From The Suicide Squad". Who What Wear. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  18. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (November 15, 2021). "'Marlowe': 'Suicide Squad' Breakout Daniela Melchior & 'The Borgias' Star Francois Arnaud Join Liam Neeson Thriller". Deadline. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  19. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (March 21, 2022). "The Suicide Squad Breakout Daniela Melchior in Talks to Join Fast and Furious 10 (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  20. ↑ "'Suicide Squad' Breakout Daniela Melchior Will Appear in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'". June 2022.
  21. ↑ Kroll, Justin (August 2, 2022). "Jake Gyllenhaal's Road House Movie A Go At Prime Video As Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen Among Those Joining Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Estrela de Hollywood: Daniela Melchior grava filme com Mark Wahlberg". SELFIE (in Portuguese). Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  23. ↑ RFM. "Daniela Melchior está imparável e anuncia novo projeto em Hollywood". RFM (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  24. ↑ Observador. "Atriz Daniela Melchior revela participação em novo filme de Hollywood "American Sweatshop"". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ SAPO. "Daniela Melchior vai entrar na nova versão de "Anaconda" com Paul Rudd e Jack Black". SAPO Mag (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  26. ↑ Hits, Mega. "Daniela Melchior arrasa em desfile de moda". Mega Hits (in European Portuguese). Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  27. ↑ "As 24 horas de Daniela Melchior em Paris | Activa %". Activa (in European Portuguese). March 20, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Daniela Melchior is a Vision in Vogue Portugal Cover Story". Fashion Gone Rogue. June 26, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  29. ↑ s.r.o, RECO. "Dancing Queen". www.vogue.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Catarina Furtado, Daniela Melchior e Tiago Bettencourt fazem música Contra a Violência no Namoro". Lux. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  31. ↑ ""Desperdício de dinheiro": Daniela Melchior e outras atrizes de Hollywood criticam viagem ao espaço da Blue Origin". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). April 15, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Caras | Daniela Melchior: "Por vezes só se procura ajuda de um psicólogo num estado limite"". Caras (in European Portuguese). October 16, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  33. ↑ Magazine, Schön! (August 12, 2021). "interview | daniela melchior". Schön! Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  34. ↑ "A obscura doença que atacou Daniela Melchior antes das gravações de "Suicide Squad"". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  35. ↑ Ferreira, Marta Leite. "Daniela Melchior anuncia participação em novos filmes após ter sofrido uma colite nervosa em vésperas das gravações de Suicide Squad". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  36. ↑ Mancuso, Vinnie (April 30, 2019). "James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' Casts Newcomer in Ratcatcher Role". Collider . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  37. ↑ Shaw-Williams, Hannah (April 30, 2019). "James Gunn's 'Suicide Squad' Casts Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Daniela Melchior entre as estrelas de "Guardiões da Galáxia: Volume 3"". Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  39. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (September 22, 2021). "'Assassin Club': Henry Golding, Noomi Rapace, Sam Neill & 'Suicide Squad' Breakout Daniela Melchior Are Starring In Action Spy Movie Shooting In Italy". Deadline. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 Dela Paz, Maggie (May 1, 2019). "'Suicide Squad' Adds Newcomer Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher". ComingSoon.net . Retrieved September 29, 2019.
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