Elena Lyadova, born on December 25, 1980 in Morshansk (Russia), is one of the most acclaimed and powerful actresses of contemporary Russian cinema. After graduating from the M.S. Shchepkin Higher Drama School in 2002, she began her career in the theater before achieving international fame on the big screen. Her rise is particularly linked to her collaboration with director Andrei Zvyagintsev, who directed her in the award-winning films Elena (2011), in the role of the opportunistic daughter, and Leviathan (2014), where she plays the protagonist's tormented wife. Her ability to embody complex and deeply human characters has earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Nika and Golden Eagle awards (Russia's highest film honors). She further cemented her reputation with notable performances in films such as The Geographer Drank the Globe (2013) and Orlean (2015), establishing herself as a leading talent of her generation.