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Who is María Pedraza?
Spanish actress, model and dancer María Pedraza Morillo was born in Madrid, Spain, on 26 January 1996, meaning that her zodiac sign is Aquarius. She has 16 acting credits and is perhaps known best for portraying Alison Parker in 15 episodes (2017) of the critically acclaimed crime action series “Money Heist”, which starred Alvaro Morte and Ursula Corbero, and was created by Alex Pina. It follows a group of thieves as they’re trying to rob the Royal Mint of Spain, the series aired from 2017 through 2021, and won 38 of its 87 award nominations.
María’s today quite active in the film industry, and is currently shooting for the upcoming movie “El Correo”, set to be released in 2024.
Education and early life
María was raised in Madrid alongside her sister Celia Pedraza, by their late father Miguel Pedraza who passed away on 7 June 2023, and mother whose name remains undisclosed; it’s believed that her father was a car mechanic, and her mother a housewife.
María studied at a local high school and was mostly into dancing during her four years there; she also enjoyed playing soccer and singing, but wasn’t considering a career in the film industry at that time.
She matriculated in 2014 and found work to financially support herself, while simultaneously attending the Royal Conservatory of Dance Mariemma, from which she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2018.
Spanish moviemaker Esteban Crespo, discovered María on Instagram and invited her to attend an audition, which led to the launch of María’s acting career.
Roles in movies
María’s debut film role was playing the lead character Laura in the 2017 romantic drama “Amar”, which also starred Pol Monen and Natalia Tena, and was written and directed by Esteban Crespo. It follows Carlos and Laura who are crazy in love, and the film was nominated for three awards.
In 2018, María danced in the music video “Danna Paola: Final Feliz”, and the following year saw her play Marta in the drama “Who Would You Take to a Deserted Island?”, which starred Jaime Lorente and Pol Monen, and was written and directed by Jota Linares. It follows four friends who’ve spent eight years sharing a flat in Madrid, and are now preparing to embark on an adventure; the film won one of its three award nominations.
SOLD OUT! #recentspanishcinema CLOSING NIGHT at the SilverSpot Cinema in Miami!
POLYAMORY FOR DUMMIES is a sparkling romantic comedy by Fernando Colomo
🎭Karra Elejalde, Toni Acosta, Quim Ávila, María Pedraza, Edu Rosa & Lola Rodríguez#poliamorparaprincipiantes pic.twitter.com/whCYXTE2jX— Miami Recent cinema (@CinemafromSpain) November 11, 2021
Also in 2019, María starred as Dancer in the short musical “Run”, and some of her following roles were in the 2020 romantic drama “El Verano que Vivimos”, the 2021 romantic comedy “Polyamory for Dummies” and the 2021 horror thriller “Ego”.
In 2022, she played the main character Irene in the thriller “Dancing on Glass”, which also starred Paula Losada and Ana Wagener, and was written and directed by Jota Linares. It follows the life of a ballerina, and the film won one of its three award nominations.
María’s since appeared in two movies: the thriller “Awareness” and the music video “Myke Towers: Lala”, both released in 2023.
Roles in TV series
María’s debut TV series role was starring as Alba Ruiz in all eight episodes of the 2017 mystery mini-series “Si Fueras Tu”, which also starred Oscar Casas and Lucia Diez, and follows Alba who’s just transferred schools.
In 2018, she portrayed Marina Nunier in eight episodes of the hit crime thriller “Elite”, which has been airing since 2018, and stars Itzan Escamilla and Omar Ayuso. The series follows three working-class teenagers who’ve enrolled at an elite school in Spain – it won four of its 14 award nominations.
María’s also known for starring as Triana Marin in all 21 episodes of the popular action crime adventure “Toy Boy”, which also starred Jesus Mosquera and Cristina Castano, and was created by Juan Carlos Cueto and Cesar Benitez. It follows a stripper who spent seven years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, and is now seeking vengeance; the series was nominated for only a single award.
María’s since had roles in only two TV series, starring as Jimena in all eight episodes of the drama “Galgos”, and as Lola in all six episodes of the drama “Urban. La Vida es Nuestra”, both released in 2023.
Other credits
Some of María’s most recent talk-show appearances have been in “Hollywood Insider”, “Quan Arribin els Marcians” and “El Hormiguero”.
Love life and relationships
There are two men whom María’s been with, that we know about.
She was in a relationship with Spanish actor Jaime Lorente, whom she met on the set of the series “Money Heist”. The two were together for a couple of years prior to breaking up for unknown reasons; Jaime has 17 acting credits and is perhaps known best for starring as Luis in the 2018 crime mystery movie “Everybody Knows”.
Since the first half of 2021, María’s been in a relationship with Juanjo Almeida, a fellow Spanish actor whom she met on the set of the series “Toy Boy”.
María’s in a relationship with Juanjo Almeida as of August 2023, she hasn’t married and doesn’t have children.
Interesting facts and hobbies
María’s followed by over 11 million people on Instagram, and has shared nearly 3,000 pictures and videos, most of these taken during her modelling photoshoots, while others show her during her everyday life, whether she’s shopping for clothes, shooting for her movies and TV series or working out at the gym.
She’s a fan of tattoos and has several small ones inked onto her arms and stomach; she also has a nose piercing.
María’s favorite season is summer.
She enjoys donating money to charities working with underprivileged children.
Brad Pitt’s one of her favorite actors, and some of María’s favorite movies include “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Meet Joe Black” and “Titanic”.
Height, eyes and wealth
María’s age is 27. Her hair’s brown and eyes are blue, she’s 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall and weighs around 130lbs (60kgs).
María’s net worth’s been estimated at over $1 million, as of August 2023.
