Natalia Tena

Natalia Tena

Tena in 2012
Born Natalia Gastiain Tena
(1984-11-01) 1 November 1984
London, England
Nationality British, Spanish
Occupation Actress, musician
Years active 2001–present

Natalia Gastiain Tena[1] (born 1 November 1984) is a British actress and musician of Spanish descent. She played Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter film series, and the wildling Osha in the HBO series Game of Thrones.

Tena at one of her band's performances in 2013

She is the lead of the British band Molotov Jukebox, as main vocalist and sings while playing the accordion. The band released its new album Carnival Flower in 2014.

Early life

Natalia Tena was born in London, the daughter of Spanish parents: María, an Extremaduran secretary, and a Basque father, Jesús,[2] who works as a carpenter.[3] She is fluent in Spanish and Basque.[4] She studied at the boarding school, Bedales.[3]

Career

Tena made her professional debut as Ellie in About a Boy (2002), and began acting full-time in 2003. She has played lead roles in stage adaptations of Gone to Earth in 2004, and Nights at the Circus in 2006.

In 2007, Tena appeared in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix playing the character Nymphadora Tonks. Tena reprised this role in its sequels Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in 2009, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 in 2010 and Part 2 in 2011.

She hosted a behind-the-scenes featurette entitled "Trailing Tonks" for the subsequent DVD and Blu-ray release, and is credited as producer and director of the featurette, in which she also performs an original Christmas-themed blues song on guitar, which she composed while working as a busker on the London Underground.[5]

In 2011 she played a lead role in the Scottish Film You Instead. She also appears as Osha in HBO's Game of Thrones.[6] In March 2013, she starred in the official music video for Lapalux's single "Without You (ft. Kerry Leatham)".[7]

In 2015, Tena starred as the lead, Jennifer Preston, in the British mini-series titles "Residue".

Personal life

Tena was taught the piano by her mother at 5 years old, influenced by Chuck Berry's music.[8] Afterwards, at 18, Tena moved to London and busked in the Tube.[8] While working with a theatre group called KneeHigh, where they were allowed to pick an instrument to play, Tena decided to learn the accordion.[8] Tena dated her fellow band member, Sam Apley, upon getting to know him through their common interest in a book, Neverwhere.[8] Tena was in a band, Nat Jenkins, but later left to form her own band, Molotov Jukebox with her boyfriend.[9] She is close friends with Oona Chaplin.[10]

Credits

Filmography

Year Film/TV Show Role Notes
2002 About a Boy Ellie
2005 Doctors Amy Emerson TV, 1 episode
The Fine Art of Love: Mine Ha-Ha Vera
Mrs Henderson Presents Peggy
2006 Afterlife Gemma Taylor TV, episode 2.5 – "Mirrorball"
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Nymphadora Tonks
2008 Lecture 21 Thomson
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Nymphadora Tonks
Womb Rose
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Nymphadora Tonks
2011 Ways to Live Forever Annie
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Nymphadora Tonks
You Instead / Tonight You're Mine Morello
2011–2013, 2016–present Game of Thrones Osha TV, 14 episodes
2012 Bel Ami Rachel
Shameless Brenda TV, 1 episode
Falcón Christine Ferrera TV, 4 episodes
2013 Ambassadors Tanya TV
2014 SuperBob Dorris
2014 10,000 km Alex Biznaga de Plata for the Best Actress at Malaga's Film Festival 2014
2014 Black Mirror Jennifer Feature-length special
"White Christmas
2015 Residue Jennifer Preston TV, 3 episodes
2015 The Refugees Emma Oliver TV, lead role

Stage

Year Production Role Notes
2004 Gone to Earth Hazel Shared Experience/ UK tour
2005 Bronte Cathy/ Bertha Mason
2006 Nights at the Circus Fevvers Kneehigh Theatre/UK tour
2008 The Clean House Matilde UK tour
2009 Othello Desdemona Royal Shakespeare Company/ UK tour

References

External links

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