Elena Anaya


Elena Anaya Gutiérrez is a Spanish actress. She garnered public recognition in Spain for her performance in Sex and Lucia, which also earned her a nomination to the Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress. She starred in The Skin I Live In, for which she won the Goya Award for Best Actress. She is also known for her roles as one of Dracula's brides in Van Helsing, the Spanish tourist in Room in Rome and Doctor Poison in Wonder Woman.

Early life

Anaya was born in Palencia, Spain. She is the youngest of three children. Her mother, Elena, is a housewife who later owned a boarding house in Palencia. Her father, Juan José Anaya Gómez, was an industrial engineer.

Career

Anaya moved to Cádiz to train as an actress, after which she landed roles in África and Familia.
She first received international attention in 2001 for her role in the sexually explicit drama Sex and Lucia. She also had a small part the year after in Almodóvar's Talk to Her.
Her best-known Hollywood film role was as Aleera, one of Dracula's brides in 2004's Van Helsing. That same year, Anaya was named as one of European films' Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion.
In 2006, Anaya appeared in Justin Timberlake's music video for his single, "SexyBack".
She played supporting roles in international films such as Savage Grace and Cairo Time, and then starring roles in 2010's Room in Rome and Almodóvar's 2011 The Skin I Live In.
In 2017, Anaya appeared as Doctor Poison in the superhero blockbuster film, Wonder Woman.

Personal life

Anaya is a lesbian. Anaya and director were reportedly in a relationship from 2008 to 2013.
In November 2016, it was announced that Anaya was expecting her first child with her partner, Tina Afugu Cordero, a costume designer. In February 2017, Anaya gave birth to their son.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996ÁfricaÁfrica
1997FamiliaLuna
1998Grandes ocasionesSusy
1998Lágrimas negras Alicia
1998Finisterre, donde termina el mundoLaura
1999Las huellas borradas Rosa
2000El árbol del penitenteSonsoles
2000El invierno de las anjanas Adelaida
2001Lucía y el sexo Belén
2001Sin noticias de Dios Pili
2002La habitación azul Ana
2002Hable con ella Ángela
2002Rencor Esther
2003Dos tipos duros Tatiana
2004Van HelsingAleera second bride
2004Ana y ManuelAna
2005FragileHelen Perez
2005Dead FishMimi
2006AlatristeAngélica de Alquézar
2006Stage KissNatalia
2007Savage GraceBlanca
2007Miguel & WilliamLeonor
2007In the Land of WomenSofia Buñuel
2008Sólo quiero caminarAna
2008Mesrine: L'Instinct De MortSofia
2009HierroMaría
2009Cairo TimeKathryn
2010Habitación en Roma Alba
2010Point BlankNadia Pierret
2011La piel que habito Vera Cruz
2012Hijos de las nubes, la última colonia Narrator
2013Pensé que iba a haber fiestaAna
2014Todos están muertos Lupe
2015Lejos del marMarina
2015La memoria del agua Amanda
2015SwungAlice
2016The InfiltratorGloria Alcaino
2016Zipi y Zape y la isla del capitán Miss Pam
2017La cordillera Claudia Klein
2017Wonder WomanIsabel Maru / Doctor Poison
2020Rifkin's FestivalJo Rojas
2022Jaula Paula
2023FatumComisaria Costa
TBAFilming
TBA Chelo