Paprika Steen (b. 1964) is a Danish actress and director, one of the most acclaimed and versatile in her country.

She gained international recognition due to her incisive participation in the Dogme 95 movement. She is unforgettable for her complex and tormented roles in works such as Thomas Vinterberg's *Festen – Festa in famiglia* (1998), where she portrays the betrayed wife, and Lars von Trier's *Idioti* (1998).

Her filmography includes intense and multifaceted performances in Susanne Bier's *Elsker dig for evigt* (Open Hearts, 2002), where she delivers a masterful portrayal of a character grappling with pain, and in the dramatic comedy *Okay* (2002). Her style is characterized by a raw realism and a profound ability to explore human frailties. She often portrays strong yet vulnerable women, under pressure or facing moral dilemmas, as in the award-winning *Applaus* (Applause, 2009).