Freya Allan

Biography

Freya Allan, born on September 6, 2001, in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, has rapidly emerged as a prominent talent in the acting world. Best known for her powerful portrayal of Princess Cirilla of Cintra in the hit Netflix series The Witcher, Allan has captivated audiences with her intense performances and versatility across various genres.

Early Life and Artistic Development

Allan's early life involved moving between Oxford, Australia, and the French Pyrenees, where she attended a French-language school. She later returned to Oxford and attended Headington School, where she studied drama and ballet. Her passion for performance blossomed at a young age; at eleven, she was part of a touring production of Rapunzel with the Ballet Lorent company. 

These early experiences, including starring in short films like Bluebird, The Christmas Tree, and Captain Fierce, laid the groundwork for her professional career. She has mentioned that her love for storytelling also stems from a childhood spent in imagination, where she often pretended to be animals and engaged in self-talk, which she relates to learning lines as an adult.

Career Breakthrough: The Witcher

Freya Allan's career truly took off with her casting as Princess Cirilla of Cintra (Ciri) in Netflix's fantasy drama The Witcher, an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's popular book series. Initially, she was cast for a smaller role in the first episode, but the showrunner, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, recognized her potential for the pivotal role of Ciri and recast her. This demanding role required her to live in Budapest, Hungary, for eight months during the filming of the first season.

As Ciri, Allan has undertaken extensive training in sword fighting and stunt work, showcasing her dedication to the physically demanding aspects of the character. Her performance has garnered critical acclaim, earning her nominations for two Saturn Awards for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in 2021 and 2024.

Expanding Horizons: Film and Television Roles

Beyond The Witcher, Allan has demonstrated her range in a variety of other projects:

• Into the Badlands (2018): An early television appearance as Young Minerva.
• The War of the Worlds (2019): A minor role in the BBC drama.
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• The Third Day (2020): She appeared in five episodes of this HBO miniseries, playing Kail.
• Gunpowder Milkshake (2021): She played Young Sam in this action film.
• Baghead (2024): Allan took on a lead role as Iris in this horror film.
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• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024): In this action film, Allan played the human character, Mae. She performed some of her stunts and, for much of the filming, was barefoot and covered in dirt makeup, which she clarified was due to the lengthy removal process rather than method acting. The film's success at the global box office further cemented her rising profile.

Upcoming Projects

Freya Allan continues to be an active presence in the industry. She is set to star in the horror film Triton, which wrapped filming in Greece in early 2024.

Freya Allan's career trajectory highlights her commitment to challenging roles and her natural talent for bringing complex characters to life, making her a compelling figure to watch in the world of entertainment.