Who is Marisa Abela? The woman playing Amy Winehouse in biopic

It's a daunting prospect for any singer: taking on the persona of the late Amy Winehouse for a biopic.

Can anyone do justice to the magic and soulfulness of the Back to Black legend? She was a one-off.

A woman who has stepped up for the role is the 26-year-old actress Marisa Abela. Abela's role in the film was first reported in July 2022, and she was apparently 'the top choice' to play the late singer, who died in 2011.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the upcoming film will chronicle the late Grammy winner's "vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame," according to a press release.

In January 2023, we got out first-look at Abela as Winehouse as she posted images to Instagram.

Marisa also posted a heartfelt tribute to Amy as the still was released, writing on Instagram on Friday 13 January, 'And for London. This is for London. Cause Camden Town ain’t burnin down”. I love you, Amy.'

Tabloids have also shown Marisa walking around London Streets during filming with the actor Eddie Marsan who plays Mitch, Amy's dad.

Marisa was styled in a black leather jacket and mini dress for the scenes, carrying a leather bag and sporting Amy's signature hair do and gold hoop earrings.

The actress is known for her role in BBC and HBO drama Industry and will appear in the Barbie movie, set for release in July 2023.

Marisa Abela was born in Brighton to actress Caroline Gruber and director Angelo Abela and grew up in Rottingdean with her older brother Jack. Her father is of Maltese-Libyan and English descent, and her mother is of Polish Jewish and Russian Jewish ancestry. She attended Roedean School and took drama classes with the Theatre Workshop.

Abela almost became a human rights lawyer as she initially intended to study History and Law at UCL, but changed her mind last minute and decided to pursue acting instead. She went on to graduate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2019.

She has been dating Jamie Bogyo, a well-known singer and musician, since 2020.