Raphaela van Breugel

Raphaela is a multilingual actress from the Netherlands whose performances are defined by depth, authenticity, and a strong ability to inhabit the lives of her characters. Drawn to roles that are complex, demanding, and psychologically layered, she brings a rare combination of sensitivity, intensity, great authenticity, and versatility to the screen and stage.

She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, after completing her acting degree at Mulholland Academy in Amsterdam. Throughout her training, Raphaela distinguished herself through her discipline, dedication, situational intelligence, and commitment to the craft and was by far the best of her year. Since completing her studies, she has continued to build her body of work across multiple projects.

Her journey to acting, however, began far outside the traditional path. Before pursuing acting professionally, Raphaela graduated in medicine and psychology and worked directly with patients in clinical settings and hospitals. She went on to work in global health policy, conduct research, and live in several countries around the world.

That unconventional background has shaped her as an actress. Years spent studying the human mind and body, working closely with people in vulnerable moments, and encountering different cultures have given Raphaela an unusually deep understanding of people and the moments that shape them.

She brings that understanding into every character she plays. She seeks to understand what lives beneath the surface of every life—their fears, desires, contradictions, wounds, and strengths. This allows her to move naturally between vastly different characters and genres while maintaining depth, specificity and her authenticity.

Raphaela’s greatest strength lies in making the extraordinary feel human and the human feel deeply personal. With a foundation built on years of education, lived experiences, discipline, resilience, and an enduring curiosity about people, she approaches every role with both instinct and intention.

• Ethnicity: Dutch, Austrian, Italian