{{Short description|British-Swiss actress and filmmaker}} {{Infobox person | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = 1987/1988 | birth_place = | alma_mater = SOAS, University of London | occupation = | years_active = 2010–present }}
'''Elena Saurel''' (born 1987/1988) is a British-Swiss actress and writer based in London. She is known for her roles in the ITV2 sitcom ''Buffering'' (2021–2023), and the BBC Two series ''Industry'' (2022–) and ''We Might Regret This'' (2024–).
==Early life== Saurel grew up in Geneva, Switzerland and moved to England at the age of 14,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/sites/default/files/buffering_press_pack.pdf|title=Buffering Series 2 Press Pack|website=ITV|date=24 January 2023|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref> where she attended Bedales School. She is of Salvadoran-American heritage,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tresamagazine.com/2021/08/11/elena-saurel/|title=Elena Saurel|website=TresA Magazine|date=11 August 2021|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref> and holds Spanish and American citizenship. Her parents enrolled her in afternoon acting classes to help with her anxiety and dyslexia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/news/2016/september/a-cup-of-tea-with-labyrinths-elena-saurel/|title=A cup of tea with... Labyrinth's Elena Saurel|website=Hampstead Theatre|date=30 September 2016|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref> She took a one-year course at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York before going on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. During her time at university, she signed up for a number of short films and fringe plays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://horrorigins.com/interviews/filmmakers-david-yorke-elena-saurel-discuss-collaborations-and-horror-short-eject-talent-to-watch|title=Filmmakers David Yorke & Elena Saurel Discuss Collaborations and Horror Short "EJECT" {Talent to Watch}|website=Horror Origins|first=Brandon|last=Waites|date=13 June 2020|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref>
==Career== Saurel portrayed Janis Joplin in Paul Desveaux's ''Pearl'' at the Abrons Arts Center in December 2015 and made her London stage debut in ''Labyrinth'' at the Hampstead Theatre in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Cast-Announced-for-Beth-Steels-LABYRINTH-at-Hampstead-Theatre-20160726|title=Cast Announced for Beth Steel's LABYRINTH at Hampstead Theatre|website=BroadwayWorld|first=Marianka|last=Swain|date=26 July 2016|accessdate=17 October 2023}}</ref> In 2018, Saurel had a recurring role as Stacey in the ITV comedy-drama ''Girlfriend''. She also appeared in series such as ''Lovesick'' on Netflix, ''Living the Dream'' and ''Breeders'' on Sky One, ''Killing Eve'' on BBC America, and ''Gold Digger'' on BBC One.
The majority of her film roles have been in short films, two of which she also wrote: ''Eject'' (2019) and ''Behind the Mask'' (2021).
In 2021, Saurel began starring as Olivia in the ITV2 sitcom ''Buffering''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/elena-saurel-discusses-new-itv-sitcom-buffering-iain-stirling-1313479.html|title=Exclusive: Elena Saurel on working with Iain Stirling for new ITV2 sitcom Buffering|website=Female First|date=12 August 2021|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2023/01/30/theres-a-lot-of-tragedy-in-comedy-elena-saurel-on-buffering-season-two/|title="There's a lot of tragedy in comedy": Elena Saurel on Buffering season two|journal=The Upcoming|first=Sarah|last=Bradbury|date=30 January 2023|accessdate=16 September 2023}}</ref> In 2022, she joined the cast of the HBO and BBC investment banking drama ''Industry'' for its second season as Anna Gearing.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/industry-season-two-release-date/|title=Industry season 2: UK release date, cast and latest news|journal=Radio Times|date=14 September 2022|accessdate=19 October 2023}}</ref> In 2024, she appeared in the BBC comedy-drama ''We Might Regret This''<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a44315068/we-might-regret-this-bbc/|title=BBC confirms new comedy drama We Might Regret This from Big Boys team|journal=Digital Spy|first=Dan|last=Seddon|date=23 June 2023|accessdate=19 October 2023}}</ref> and has an upcoming role in the Amazon Freevee series ''Open Book''.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/elena-saurel-amazon-freevees-open-book-pilot-jessica-simpson-memoir-1235227692/|title=Elena Saurel Confirmed For Amazon Freevee's 'Open Book' Pilot Inspired By Jessica Simpson Memoir|journal=Deadline|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=18 September 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== Saurel is a supporter of the Cervantes Theatre in Southwark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cervantestheatre.com/home/our-supporters/|title=Our Supporters|website=Cervantes Theatre|accessdate=17 October 2023}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2010 | ''Anaphylaxis'' | Morgue Woman | Uncredited role |- | rowspan="2" | 2013 | ''Allegra'' | Allegra | rowspan="6" | Short films |- | ''A Party in London'' | Cassandra |- | rowspan="4" | 2014 | ''Popcorn'' | Brooke Daniels |- | ''Due'' | Karen |- | ''An Open Letter to Dominic'' | Ellis |- | ''Toilets'' | Fee |- | rowspan="4" | 2015 | ''Charlie and Wendy'' | Wendy | |- | ''Menagerie'' | May | rowspan="9" | Short films |- | ''Fellow Travellers'' | Colin's Wife |- | ''Anchor'' | Joni |- | rowspan="2" | 2016 | ''A Message from Tar Creek'' | Julia (voice) |- | ''Witch'' | Alice |- | 2017 | ''The Last Lighthouse Keeper'' | Older Danny |- | rowspan="5" | 2019 | ''The Meeting'' | Elaine |- | ''How We Met - Based on a True Story'' | Mary |- | ''You Know Why - Based on a True Story'' | Elena |- | ''I Want to Make You Happy'' | Laura | Video |- | ''Eject'' | Kate | Short film. Also writer |- | 2020 | ''Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'' | Stage Manager | |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''Gloria'' | Gloria | Short film |- | ''Behind the Mask'' | Actor 2 / Disguised Woman 1 | Short film. Also writer |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''The Batman'' | Detective on Phone | |- | ''Tad, the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet'' | Ramirez (voice) | English version |- | 2023 | ''Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'' | Drunk Airline Stewardess | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2014 | ''Benidorm'' | Spa Receptionist | Episode #6.6 |- | ''50 Ways to Kill Your Lover'' | Kristen Rossum | Episode #1.4 |- | rowspan="3" | 2015 | ''Catastrophe'' | Blaire | Episode #1.1 |- | ''The Last Hours of Laura K'' | Sabrina Bahadir | Television film |- | ''Not Safe for Work'' | Receptionist | Mini-series; Episode #1.5 |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 | ''Silent Witness'' | Luisa Herreraz | 2 episodes: "Awakening: Parts 1 & 2" |- | ''Kiss of Death'' | Gina | Episode: "Blood Never Lies" |- | ''Josh'' | Lauren | Episode: "The Old Lady & The Swan" |- | rowspan="3" | 2018 | ''Lovesick'' | Bianca | Episode: "Evie (Part Two)" |- | ''Girlfriends'' | Stacey | 3 episodes |- | ''Midsomer Murders'' | Zennia Lounds | Episode: "Drawing Dead" |- | rowspan="4" | 2019 | ''Living the Dream'' | Connie | 2 episodes: "Steak Out" and "Visa Tambien" |- | ''Killing Eve'' | Woman at Train Station | Episode: "Do You Know How to Dispose of a Body?" |- | ''Gold Digger'' | Bianca | Mini-series; 2 episodes: "Her Daughter" and "Her Love" |- | ''Sticks and Stones'' | Tonya Baxter | Original title: ''The Man''. Mini-series; Episode #1.2 |- | 2020 | ''Kate & Koji'' | Rosa | Episode #1.5 |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''Breeders'' | Martina | 2 episodes: "No Connection" and "No Friends" |- | ''Around the World in 80 Days'' | Sally | Episode #1.7 |- | 2021–2023 | ''Buffering'' | Olivia | Main role; 11 episodes |- | 2022–present | ''Industry'' | Anna Gearing | Main role (season 2–) |- | rowspan="2" | 2023 | ''The B@it'' | | Episode: "Urine Love" |- | ''Octonauts: Above & Beyond'' | Selva (voice) | Episode: "The Octonaughts and the Kilimanjaro Climb" |- | 2024 | ''The Mallorca Files'' | Reyna Alvarez | Episode: "All That Glisters" |- |2024–present | ''We Might Regret This'' | Jo | 10 episodes |- | TBA | ''Open Book'' | Kat | Pre-production |- |}
===Video games=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2014 | ''Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water'' | Hisoka Kurosawa | |- | ''The Crew'' | | |- | 2015 | ''Victor Vran'' | Irene | rowspan="2" | English versions |- | 2016 | ''Star Ocean: Anamnesis'' | Anne |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''Horizon Zero Dawn'' | Vala | |- | ''Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2'' | America Chavez | |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 | ''Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry'' | Diana | English version |- | ''Hitman 2'' | Announcer | |- | rowspan="3" | 2019 | ''Control'' | Additional cast | |- | ''Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint'' | Dr. Rosamund Fletcher / Deep State DLC | |- | ''Tropico 6'' | | |- | 2022 | ''Dragon Quest Treasures'' | Additional voices | rowspan="2" | English versions |- | 2023 | ''Atomic Heart'' | |}
==Stage== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2015 | ''Pearl'' | Janis Joplin | Abrons Arts Center, New York |- | 2016 | ''Labyrinth'' | Grace | Hampstead Theatre, London |- | 2017 | ''The House of Bernarda Alba'' | Marti | Cervantes Theatre / Southwark Playhouse, London |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|3008059}} * [https://www.spotlight.com/3873-5647-0241 Elena Saurel] at Spotlight
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saurel, Elena}} Category:Living people Category:1980s births Category:Actresses from Geneva Category:Actors with dyslexia Category:Alumni of SOAS University of London Category:American emigrants to England Category:American expatriate actresses Category:American expatriates in England Category:American people of Salvadoran descent Category:People educated at Bedales School Category:Spanish expatriates in England Category:Swiss expatriates in England Category:Swiss people of American descent Category:Swiss people of Salvadoran descent Category:Swiss people of Spanish descent Category:Year of birth missing (living people)