Daniela Melchior

Last updated

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 29)
Almada, 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 dos Reis Lopes Pereira (European Portuguese: [dɐniˈɛlɐmɛlʃiˈɔɾ] ; born 1 November 1996) is a Portuguese actress. She started her career in 2014 with a recurring role in telenovela Mulheres  [ pt ], followed by the teen drama Massa Fresca (2016). In 2017, she was cast in a leading role in the award-winning telenovela Ouro Verde . She appeared 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

Melchior's first international casting was 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), Road House (2024), and American Sweatshop (2025). In 2024, she joined the cast of Balls Up, and in 2025 of Anaconda and Violent Night 2 .

Early life

Daniela Melchior dos Reis Lopes Pereira was born on 1 November 1996 in Almada, Portugal. [1] From a young age, she showed a strong interest in acting, aspiring to become a film star. [2] She attended a convent school and later did a vocational course in performing arts in high school. [3] [4] During her school years, she participated in local and school theatre productions. [1] [4] 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. [4]

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 (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] Her performance in Mayer earned her a Sophia Awards nomination for Best Actress. After a representative from the United States saw the trailer for Mayer, they offered to represent her, prompting her eventual move to pursue roles abroad. [2] [10] 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. [7] [8] [9]

2021–present: Hollywood work

Daniela Melchior in Parque Mayer as Deolinda DanielaMelchior.png
Daniela Melchior in Parque Mayer as Deolinda

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. [9] She also had a further audition with rats. [11] [12] Melchior as Cleo Cazo marked the first portrayal by a Portuguese actress in a DC Extended Universe film. [13] Gunn described Melchior as "the heart of the film." [14] Critics identified Melchior as the film's standout, [15] [16] describing her as "luminous," "wonderfully guileless," and "the film's secret weapon." [16]

In 2021, Melchior was cast in the crime thriller Marlowe and action thriller Assassin Club . [17] [18] In March 2022, she joined the cast of the tenth Fast & Furious film titled, Fast X, with Vin Diesel offering her the role after seeing her performance in The Suicide Squad. [19] [20] In June 2022, it was announced that she would collaborate for the second time with James Gunn in his MCU film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 , making her the first Portuguese actress to appear in an MCU film. [21] Gunn is reported to have written the character, Ura, specifically for Melchior. [22] In August 2022, she joined the action film Road House , a remake of the 1989 film. [23] In 2024, she joined the cast of action comedy Balls Up , directed by Peter Farrelly. [24] In August 2025, she starred in the mystery thriller American Sweatshop ; with critics saying that Melchior was underused in the movie. [25] [26] [27] In October 2025, it was announced that Melchior would star in the comedy horror Anaconda, a remake of the 1997 film, and in the action comedy Violent Night 2 . [28] [29]

In 2023, Melchior went to Paris Fashion Week as a Balmain's muse. [4] [30] On International Women's Day, French fashion company ba&sh invited Melchior for their new campaign. [31]

Activism and advocacy

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. [2] In April 2025, Melchior was one of the public figures who criticized the launch of the all-female space crew Blue Origin's New Shepard, calling it "the opposite of women's empowerment" and a "waste of money, resources and pollution just to put a group of women in space and sell it as women's power." [32]

Personal life

Before the filming of The Suicide Squad, Melchior suffered from irritable bowel syndrome due to the anxiety she felt working with high-profile actors on the shoot such as Margot Robbie and Idris Elba. [33] [34] Melchior has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. [35] [36]

Filmography

Film

Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2018 The Black Book La Fille
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman Portuguese dubs
Parque Mayer Deolinda
2021 The Suicide Squad Cleo Cazo / Ratcatcher 2
2022 Marlowe Lynn Peterson
2023 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Ura
Assassin Club Sophie
Fast X Isabel Neves
2024 Road House Ellie
2025 American Sweatshop Ava Lopez
Anaconda †Ana Almeida
2026 Violent Night 2 †TBA
TBA Balls Up †Isabella Costa

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2014–15MulheresViviana Gomes316 episodes [6] [37]
2016 Massa Fresca Carminho Santiago68 episodes [6] [38]
2017 Ouro Verde Cláudia Andrade221 episodes [6] [39]
2018 A Herdeira Ariana Franco190 episodes [6] [40]
2018–19 Valor da Vida Isabel Vasconcellos203 episodes [6] [41]
2021PecadoMaria Manuela6 episodes [6] [42]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef
2019 Sophia Awards Best Actress Parque Mayer Nominated [43]
CinEuphoria AwardsBest Actress - National CompetitionNominated [44]
Best Ensemble - National CompetitionNominated
2021 Portuguese Golden Globes Best Newcomer The Suicide Squad Nominated [45]

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 Duarte, Lara (1 November 2021). "#Perfil | Daniela Melchior: internacionalização à vista". ComUM (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Style, ArticlesLife (20 August 2020). "Interview with Daniela Melchior". Portuguese Soul Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Pessoas Cinema Português". cinemaportuguesmemoriale.pt. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Schartz, Emma (26 October 2023). "Meet Daniela Melchior, Balmain's Newest Muse". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Lusa, Agência. "Telenovela portuguesa "Ouro Verde" vence Emmy". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Groot, Bram de (15 April 2023). "Daniela Melchior (25) in minuscule duikuitrusting krijgt je helemaal stil". Filmtotaal (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (18 February 2020). "CAA Signs Daniela Melchior, Star Of Upcoming Warner Bros/DC Sequel 'The Suicide Squad'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  8. 1 2 Ridlehoover, John (30 April 2019). "'The Suicide Squad' Taps Portuguese Star for Ratcatcher Role". Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 Couch, Aaron (5 August 2021). "Next Big Thing: 'The Suicide Squad' Star Daniela Melchior Goes From Regional Fame to Global Reach". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Cardoso, Joana Amaral (17 May 2023). "Daniela Melchior, a nossa enviada aos blockbusters". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Avery (6 August 2021). "Daniela Melchior: 5 Things To Know About The Breakout Star Of 'The Suicide Squad'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  12. ↑ "Meet Daniela Melchior, the heart of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Los Angeles Times. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Daniela Melchior's path to Hollywood stardom with 'Road House'". HOLA! USA. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Meet Daniela Melchior, the heart of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Los Angeles Times . 6 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  15. ↑ Farinha, Ricardo (4 August 2021). "Daniela Melchior está a ser elogiada em todo o mundo pelo papel em "O Esquadrão Suicida"". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  16. 1 2 Baker, Jessica (5 August 2021). "Everyone Is Talking About This Breakout Star From The Suicide Squad". Who What Wear. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (15 November 2021). "'Marlowe': 'Suicide Squad' Breakout Daniela Melchior & 'The Borgias' Star Francois Arnaud Join Liam Neeson Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Lovitt, Maggie (22 September 2021). "Henry Golding and 'The Suicide Squad's Daniela Melchior to Star in Action Spy Movie 'Assassin Club'". Collider. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  19. ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (21 March 2022). "The Suicide Squad Breakout Daniela Melchior in Talks to Join Fast and Furious 10 (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Davids, Brian (30 May 2023). "'Fast X' Star Daniela Melchior Talks That Moment That Made Audiences Squirm and the Franchise's Future". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  21. ↑ Gonçalves, Por Aníbal (22 October 2021). "Daniela Melchior associada a Moondragon em Guardiões da Galáxia Vol. 3". IGN Portugal (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  22. ↑ Massoto, Erick (5 June 2023). "'Guardians of the Galaxy 3': James Gunn Wrote Ura for Daniela Melchior". Collider. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  23. ↑ Kroll, Justin (2 August 2022). "Jake Gyllenhaal's Road House Movie A Go At Prime Video As Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen Among Those Joining Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Estrela de Hollywood: Daniela Melchior grava filme com Mark Wahlberg". SELFIE (in Portuguese). 6 August 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  25. ↑ Richard, Nate (15 March 2025). "'American Sweatshop' Review: Lili Reinhart Is a "First Responder of the Internet" In Tense Cyber Thriller". Collider. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  26. ↑ Hutchinson, Chase (9 March 2025). "'American Sweatshop' Review: Lili Reinhart Faces The Horror Of Social Media In A Psychological Thriller [SXSW]". The Playlist. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  27. ↑ Observador. "Atriz Daniela Melchior revela participação em novo filme de Hollywood 'American Sweatshop'". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  28. ↑ "Daniela Melchior vai fazer parte de mais um grande projeto em Hollywood". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  29. ↑ "Daniela Melchior vai entrar na nova versão de "Anaconda" com Paul Rudd e Jack Black". SAPO Mag (in Portuguese). 1 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  30. ↑ Santos, Miriam (28 September 2023). "Daniela Melchior arrasa em desfile de moda". Mega Hits (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  31. ↑ "As 24 horas de Daniela Melchior em Paris". Activa (in European Portuguese). 20 March 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  32. ↑ Jerónimo, Mariana (15 April 2025). "'Desperdício de dinheiro': Daniela Melchior e outras atrizes de Hollywood criticam viagem ao espaço da Blue Origin". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  33. ↑ Novais, Filipa (30 November 2021). "A obscura doença que atacou Daniela Melchior antes das gravações de 'Suicide Squad'". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  34. ↑ 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 29 August 2025.
  35. ↑ "Caras: Daniela Melchior: "Por vezes só se procura ajuda de um psicólogo num estado limite"". Caras (in European Portuguese). 16 October 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  36. ↑ Magazine, Schön! (12 August 2021). "interview: daniela melchior". Schön! Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  37. ↑ "Conheça as personagens da novela «Mulheres»" (in European Portuguese). 28 May 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  38. ↑ "«Massa Fresca»: Conheça as personagens da nova série da TVI" (in European Portuguese). 19 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  39. ↑ "Conheça as personagens de «Ouro Verde»". TVI (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  40. ↑ "Conheça os personagens de "A Herdeira"". TVI (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  41. ↑ "Novela "Valor da Vida": elenco e personagens | RedeNoticia" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 28 June 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  42. ↑ "Pecado, a série de Maria João Costa, chega ao ecrã da TVI a 25 de setembro". Cinema e Audiovisual Português. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  43. ↑ "Nomeados aos Prémios Sophia 2019 – Academia Portuguesa de Cinema" . Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  44. ↑ Peralta, Paulo (28 December 2018). "CinEuphoria: CinEuphoria Prémios 2019 - Competição Nacional: os nomeados". CinEuphoria. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  45. ↑ "Globos de Ouro 2021: saiba quem foram os vencedores". SELFIE (in Portuguese). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.