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, 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). 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 November 1, 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] [5] 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  [ 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. [5] [7] 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). [8] [9] [10] 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] [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

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. [10] She also had a chemistry test with fancy rats when auditioning for the role. [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, she was cast in 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]

Personal life

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] She criticized the launch of the all female space crew Blue Origin's New Shepard, saying "the opposite of women's empowerment". [30] Melchior has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. [31] [32] Before the recording of The Suicide Squad, Melchior suffered from irritable bowel syndrome due to the pressure of working with actors such as Margot Robbie and Idris Elba. [33] [34] In 2023, Melchior went to Paris Fashion Week as a Balmain's muse. [4] [35] On International Women's Day, French fashion company ba&sh invited Melchior for their new campaign. [36] Melchior was on the cover of Vogue Portugal in June 2024. [37] [38]

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 [7] [39]
2016Massa FrescaCarminho Santiago68 episodes [7] [40]
2017 Ouro Verde Cláudia Andrade221 episodes [7] [41]
2018 A Herdeira Ariana Franco190 episodes [7] [42]
2018–19 Valor da Vida Isabel Vasconcellos203 episodes [7] [43]
2021PecadoMaria Manuela6 episodes [7] [44]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef
2019 Sophia Awards Best Actress Parque Mayer Nominated [45]
CinEuphoria AwardsBest Actress - National CompetitionNominated [46]
Best Ensemble - National CompetitionNominated
2021 Portuguese Golden Globes Best Newcomer The Suicide Squad Nominated [47]

Notes

References

  1. 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)
  2. 1 2 3 Style, ArticlesLife (August 20, 2020). "Interview with Daniela Melchior". Portuguese Soul Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Pessoas Cinema Português". cinemaportuguesmemoriale.pt. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Schartz, Emma (October 26, 2023). "Meet Daniela Melchior, Balmain's Newest Muse". Interview Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Shipra (May 17, 2024). "Daniela Melchior: Rising Star of the Silver Screen - Birmingham Journal". Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  6. ↑ Lusa, Agência. "Telenovela portuguesa "Ouro Verde" vence Emmy". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Groot, Bram de (April 15, 2023). "Daniela Melchior (25) in minuscule duikuitrusting krijgt je helemaal stil". Filmtotaal (in Dutch). Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  8. 1 2 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 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. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Daniela Melchior's path to Hollywood stardom with 'Road House'". HOLA! USA. March 29, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Meet Daniela Melchior, the heart of James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Los Angeles Times. August 6, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  15. ↑ Farinha, Ricardo (August 4, 2021). "Daniela Melchior está a ser elogiada em todo o mundo pelo papel em "O Esquadrão Suicida"". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Baker, Jessica (August 5, 2021). "Everyone Is Talking About This Breakout Star From The Suicide Squad". Who What Wear. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  17. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (November 15, 2021). "'Marlowe': 'Suicide Squad' Breakout Daniela Melchior & 'The Borgias' Star Francois Arnaud Join Liam Neeson Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  18. ↑ Lovitt, Maggie (September 22, 2021). "Henry Golding and 'The Suicide Squad's Daniela Melchior to Star in Action Spy Movie 'Assassin Club'". Collider. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  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. ↑ Davids, Brian (May 30, 2023). "'Fast X' Star Daniela Melchior Talks That Moment That Made Audiences Squirm and the Franchise's Future". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  21. ↑ Gonçalves, Por Aníbal (October 22, 2021). "Daniela Melchior associada a Moondragon em Guardiões da Galáxia Vol. 3". IGN Portugal (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ Massoto, Erick (June 5, 2023). "'Guardians of the Galaxy 3': James Gunn Wrote Ura for Daniela Melchior". Collider. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ "Estrela de Hollywood: Daniela Melchior grava filme com Mark Wahlberg". SELFIE (in Portuguese). August 6, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  25. ↑ Richard, Nate (March 15, 2025). "'American Sweatshop' Review: Lili Reinhart Is a "First Responder of the Internet" In Tense Cyber Thriller". Collider. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ Hutchinson, Chase (March 9, 2025). "'American Sweatshop' Review: Lili Reinhart Faces The Horror Of Social Media In A Psychological Thriller [SXSW]". The Playlist. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ Observador. "Atriz Daniela Melchior revela participação em novo filme de Hollywood "American Sweatshop"". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Daniela Melchior vai fazer parte de mais um grande projeto em Hollywood". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Daniela Melchior vai entrar na nova versão de "Anaconda" com Paul Rudd e Jack Black". SAPO Mag (in Portuguese). October 1, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  30. ↑ Jerónimo, Mariana (April 15, 2025). ""Desperdício de dinheiro": Daniela Melchior e outras atrizes de Hollywood criticam viagem ao espaço da Blue Origin". SIC Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  31. ↑ "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.
  32. ↑ Magazine, Schön! (August 12, 2021). "interview: daniela melchior". Schön! Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  33. ↑ Novais, Filipa (November 30, 2021). "A obscura doença que atacou Daniela Melchior antes das gravações de "Suicide Squad"". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved October 7, 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 August 29, 2025.
  35. ↑ Santos, Miriam (September 28, 2023). "Daniela Melchior arrasa em desfile de moda". Mega Hits (in European Portuguese). Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  36. ↑ "As 24 horas de Daniela Melchior em Paris | Activa %". Activa (in European Portuguese). March 20, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  37. ↑ Elizabeth, Joanna (June 26, 2024). "Daniela Melchior is a Vision in Vogue Portugal Cover Story". Fashion Gone Rogue. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  38. ↑ s.r.o, RECO. "Dancing Queen". www.vogue.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Conheça as personagens da novela «Mulheres»" (in European Portuguese). May 28, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  40. ↑ "«Massa Fresca»: Conheça as personagens da nova série da TVI" (in European Portuguese). March 19, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Conheça as personagens de «Ouro Verde»". TVI (in Portuguese). Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Conheça os personagens de "A Herdeira"". TVI (in Portuguese). Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Novela "Valor da Vida": elenco e personagens | RedeNoticia" (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 28, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Pecado, a série de Maria João Costa, chega ao ecrã da TVI a 25 de setembro". Cinema e Audiovisual Português. February 11, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Nomeados aos Prémios Sophia 2019 – Academia Portuguesa de Cinema" . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  46. ↑ Peralta, Paulo (December 28, 2018). "CinEuphoria: CinEuphoria Prémios 2019 - Competição Nacional: os nomeados". CinEuphoria. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Globos de Ouro 2021: saiba quem foram os vencedores". SELFIE (in Portuguese). Retrieved October 11, 2025.
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