Gemma Chan
Biography
Gemma Chan, born 29 November 1982 in London, England, is an English actress. She graduated from Worcester College, Oxford, and began her acting career in the late 2000s, making her film debut in 2009. Chan first attracted attention with a leading role in the Channel 4 science‑fiction series Humans, which ran from 2015 to 2018. She gained further prominence in 2018 with starring parts in Crazy Rich Asians and as Elizabeth Hardwick in Mary Queen of Scots. Her subsequent film work includes the Marvel Cinematic Universe titles Captain Marvel (2019), in which she played Minn‑Erva, and Eternals (2021), portraying Sersi, as well as a voice role in the Disney animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). She also appeared in Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller Don’t Worry Dar.
Career overview
Gemma Chan, born 29 November 1982 in London, England, is an English actress and a graduate of Worcester College, Oxford. She began her acting career in the late 2000s and made her film debut in 2009. Early work led to a prominent television role as a lead in the Channel 4 science‑fiction series Humans, which ran from 2015 to 2018 and brought her wider recognition.
In 2018 Chan achieved further prominence with starring roles in two high‑profile films. She appeared in the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians and portrayed Elizabeth Hardwick in the historical drama Mary Queen of Scots. These performances expanded her visibility in both commercial and period cinema.
Chan entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the 2019 film Captain Marvel, playing the character Minn‑Erva, and returned in 2021’s Eternals as Sersi. That same year she provided a voice performance in Disney’s animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon. She also appeared in Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller Don’t Worry Dar. Across film and television, Chan’s career reflects a steady progression from early independent projects to major franchise and voice‑acting roles.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- The Five Star Weekend (2026) as Gigi Ling
- Josephine (2026) as Claire
- Josephine (2026) Producer
- The Actor (2025) as Edna
- Extrapolations (2023) as Natasha Alper
- The Creator (2023) as Maya
- True Love: Making The Creator (2023) as Self
- The Afterparty (2022) as 'Zoë'
- Don't Worry Darling (2022) as Shelley
- Closing Dynasty (2022) Executive Producer
- Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Eternals (2022) as Self - Sersi
- Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) as Namaari (voice)
- Eternals (2021) as Sersi
- L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth (2021) as Self
- Let Them All Talk (2020) as Karen
- Captain Marvel (2019) as Minn-Erva
- I Am... (2019) as Hannah
- I Am... (2019) Story
- Intrigo: Dear Agnes (2019) as Henny
- Mr. Malcolm's List (2019) as Julia
- Crazy Rich Asians (2018) as Astrid Young Teo
- Mary Queen of Scots (2018) as Bess of Hardwick
- London Fields (2018) as Petronella
- Leading Lady Parts (2018) as Actress #5
- Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) as Quintessa
- Revolting Rhymes (2017) as Snow White (voice)
- Stratton (2017) as Aggy
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) as Madame Ya Zou
- Revolting Rhymes (2016) as Snow White
- How to Build a Human (2016) as Herself
- Everyday Performance Artists (2016) as Melody
- Humans (2015) as Anita / Mia
- Brotherhood (2015) as Miss Pemberton
- Families (2015) as Chen-Lin
- Love Is a Four Letter Word: Worth Seven Points (2015) as Wife
- Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) as Amy Chan
- The Game (2014) as Chen Mei
- The Double (2014) as 'The Replicator' - Glamourous Judge
- Shetland (2013) as Hattie James
- The Last Leg (2013) as Self
- Dates (2013) as Erica
- True Love (2012) as Kathy
- Death in Paradise (2011) as Jennifer Cheung
- Fresh Meat (2011) as Ruth
- Submarine (2011) as Kim-Lin
- Bedlam (2011) as Keira
- Sherlock (2010) as Soo Lin Yao
- Shanghai (2010) as Shin Shin
- Pimp (2010) as Bo
- Exam (2009) as Chinese Girl
- Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (2009) as Mia Bennett
- Secret Diary of a Call Girl (2007) as Charlotte
- The IT Crowd (2006) as Ivana
- The IT Crowd (2006) as Female Sulu
- When Evil Calls (2006) as Molly Nelson
- Hello & Paris
- Crazy Rich Asians Spinoff as Astrid Young Teo
- Rise of the Empress Executive Producer
- Untitled Anna May Wong biopic as Anna May Wong
- Untitled Anna May Wong biopic Producer