Maya Fiennes

Natascha McElhone, born in London in 1969, is an English actress and producer with a career spanning film, television, and theatre. She began her acting journey under the name Natascha Taylor, performing in stage productions before transitioning to television and film. Her early screen work included roles in "An Unkindness of Ravens" and "Bergerac." McElhone gained significant recognition for her roles in films such as "Surviving Picasso," "The Truman Show," "Ronin," and "Solaris." On television, she is recognized for her part in "Californication," "Designated Survivor," and "The Crown." She also lent her voice to the "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" video games. Beyond her acting career, McElhone published a book titled "After You: Letters of Love, and Loss, to a Husband and Father," which draws from her personal experiences following the death of her husband.

Born Natascha Abigail Taylor on December 14, 1969, in London, England, Natascha McElhone's parents were journalists; her mother was Irish and her father English. Her parents separated when she was two, and her mother later remarried journalist Roy Greenslade. McElhone received her education across several schools in Brighton and London. She also pursued Irish dancing from the age of six to twelve and later studied acting at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

McElhone commenced her professional acting career in theatre, initially credited as Natascha Taylor. Her early stage work included lead roles in "Richard III" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, as well as "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Cherry Orchard." Her television debut occurred in 1990 in an adaptation of an Inspector Wexford story, still under the name Natascha Taylor. She appeared in the series "Bergerac" and in Dennis Potter's miniseries "Karaoke."

Adopting her mother's maiden name, Natascha McElhone, for her stage name, her first significant film role was in "Surviving Picasso" (1996). She went on to star in notable films such as "The Truman Show" (1998), "Ronin" (1998), and "Solaris" (2002), often in leading roles opposite established actors. Her television work includes prominent characters in "Californication" (2007–14), "Designated Survivor" (2016–17), "The Crown" (2022), and "Halo" (2022–24). She also provided voice acting for the video game "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" and its sequel.

Natascha McElhone married plastic surgeon Martin Hirigoyen Kelly in 1998. They had three sons. Tragically, Kelly passed away in 2008 from dilated cardiomyopathy, just after their tenth wedding anniversary. Following her husband's death, McElhone began writing letters to him, documenting her grief and her family's adjustment. These personal writings formed the basis of her 2010 book, "After You: Letters of Love, and Loss, to a Husband and Father."