Synnøve Karlsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1996-07-30) 30 July 1996 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Education | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Guildhall School of Music and Drama |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2017–present |
Synnøve Karlsen (UK: /sɪˈnɜːvə/)[1] (born 30 July 1996) is a Scottish actress. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC series Clique (2017–2018) and Miss Austen (2025), and the Rai 1 series Medici (2018–2019). Her films include Last Night in Soho (2021).
Early life and education
Karlsen was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Helensburgh before her family relocated to London when she was 12 years old.[2][3][4] She is of Norwegian descent.[2] She has three older brothers and is the niece of Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley.[2] She studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and then the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, leaving after a year upon being cast in Clique.[2][5][6]
Career
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | V | Minnie | Short film |
| 2018 | Dead Birds | Rose | Short film |
| 2021 | Last Night in Soho | "Hurricane" Jocasta | |
| 2024 | Black Cab | Anne |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | Clique | Holly McStay | Main cast |
| 2018–2019 | Medici | Clarice Orsini | Main cast (seasons 2—3) |
| 2022 | The Midwich Cuckoos | Cassie Stone | Main cast |
| 2023 | Bodies | Polly Hillinghead | Main cast |
| 2025 | Miss Austen | Young Cassandra "Cassy" Austen | Limited series, main cast |
| 2025 | Foundation | Bayta Mallow | Recurring, season 3 |
Stage
She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[5] In 2025 Karlsen made her New York theatrical debut in Gingold Theatrical Group's Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion as Eliza Doolittle .[7] For her performance as Eliza, she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play at the 70th Drama Desk Awards.[8]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Pygmalion | Nominated |
References
- "Synnove Karlsen On Playing Holly From Clique: Behind The Scenes". BBC Three. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- "Synnøve Karlsen interview - The Scottish actor talks Medici: The Magnificent and Clique". scotsman.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- McIver, Brian (3 March 2017). "Meet the Scots who star in racy new drama set in Edinburgh". dailyrecord. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Crookes, Adam (21 November 2018). "Synnøve Karlsen – Autumn's Rising Star on Clique & Medici: The Magnificent". Crookes Magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Dalton, Ben (8 July 2019). "Stars of Tomorrow 2019: Synnove Karlsen (actor)". Screen. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Gibb, Ben (6 March 2019). "From Helensburgh to Rome… Synnove Karlsen's career Cliques into place". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- Culwell-Block, Logan (16 September 2025). "Lizan Mitchell, Synnøve Karlsen, More Will Star in Pygmalion Off-Broadway". Playbill.com.
- Culwell-Block, Logan (29 April 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill.com.