Actress Nathalie Emmanuel joined the Game of Thrones cast in season three as Missandei, and her character has been by Daenerys Targaryen’s side ever since.
The two of them met when she was a slave in Astapor, and was being used as a translator.
After being freed by Dany, she has remained loyal to her throughout the show and became part of her small council.
The character has also formed a close relationship with Grey Worm, who is the commander of Dany’s army of Unsullied.
However, long before her time on the fantasy drama series, Nathalie was best known for her role in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Who did Nathalie Emmanuel play in Hollyoaks?
Nathalie played Sasha Valentine in the soap for four years, making her first appearance in July 2006 when she was seventeen.
Her character was introduced as part of the Valentine family, with her mother Diane being played by Pauline Black, while her brothers Calvin and Sonny were played by Ricky Whittle and Devon Anderson.
Diane died shortly after appearing on the soap and the children’s father Leo joined to help put the family back together.
Nathalie’s character was involved in various big storylines, including the death of Diane during one of the family’s first appearances on the soap.
She later became involved in drugs and became addicted to heroin, but she was able to overcome it with the support of her family.
Nathalie left Hollyoaks in 2010 after deciding to quit once her current contract was up.
On-screen, Sasha decided to move to London to live with her half sister Lauren and step-mother Valerie.
At the time, Nathalie had left the door open for a potential return for Sasha, saying in an interview: ‘I will be sad to go but looking forward to doing more things.
‘The cast is great but it’s time to go. I’ve had such great storylines over the years and I’ve had the best time. And if they don’t kill Sasha off, I may return one day!’
However, this seems unlikely now as, six years after joining Game Of Thrones, she has landed roles in Hollywood films including The Titan, Maze Runner: The Death Cure and the upcoming TV series Four Weddings And A Funeral.
During a chat with Metro.co.uk in April last year, Nathalie hit out at those who slate soap actors, declaring: ‘I won’t have anyone slag off soap actors, not on my watch.
‘Everyone talked down about Hollyoaks, especially within casting – there’s a stigma that actors aren’t very good or they’re just hired for their appearance, and that gives you a fire to prove something,’ she added.
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