Natalia Cordova-Buckley

Natalia Cordova-Buckley, sometimes credited as Natalia Córdova, (born November 25, 1982) is a Mexican-American actress. She is best known for starring as Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez in the ABC superhero drama series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020).[1]

Natalia Cordova-Buckley
Cordova-Buckley in March 2019
Born (1982-11-25) November 25, 1982
Mexico City, Mexico
Nationality
  • Mexican
  • American
EducationCalifornia Institute of the Arts
OccupationActress
Years active2008–present
Spouse(s)
Brian Buckley
​
(m. 2011)​
FamilyPancho Córdova (grandfather)

Early life

Cordova-Buckley was born in Mexico City and raised in Cancún.[2] Her grandfather is Pancho Córdova, an actor in Mexican and American cinema, whom she never met.[3]

Cordova-Buckley was classically trained as a ballet dancer, training under Fernando Alonso in the dance company Centro de Arte Siglo XXI.[2] Finding the occupation too restricting, she decided to become an actress instead. She had reconsidered acting after trying to avoid it due to being teased about her voice in her youth. She stated: "the kids wouldn’t chase me around when we played tag because they would say that I screamed like a Godzilla. It wasn’t just my voice, but [also] the fact that I have a pretty strong personality and was always very outspoken and opinionated."[4]

At the age of 17, she moved to the U.S. after getting accepted to the drama department of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, a high school program for seniors in fine arts. After graduating, she attended the theatre conservatory at the California Institute of the Arts.[2]

Career

Cordova-Buckley made her acting debut in Mexican comedy-drama series Los simuladores (2008–2009). This was followed by supporting roles in numerous Spanish-language films, such as Sucedió en un día (2010) and Lluvia de Luna (2011). She earned her first major leading role in the drama film Ventanas al mar (2012), opposite veteran actors Charo López and Fernando Guillén.

Cordova-Buckley earned her first American acting role in the sports drama film McFarland, USA (2015), opposite Kevin Costner.[2] She almost quit acting before winning the role of Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez in the ABC superhero drama series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020), gaining further recognition in the process.[3] During the series' fourth season, she headlined a 6-episode miniseries, Slingshot, which debuted online on December 13, 2016.[5] The series was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.[6]

In 2017, she guest starred as attorney Julia Ramos in the A&E horror drama series Bates Motel, where she worked opposite Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore.[7] Also that year, she voiced the role of artist Frida Kahlo in the Disney-Pixar animated musical film Coco, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[4][8]

In 2018, Cordova-Buckley portrayed Det. Gavras in the crime thriller film Destroyer, opposite Nicole Kidman.

Personal life

Cordova-Buckley has been married to musician and actor Brian Buckley since 2011. Together, the couple reside in Los Angeles with their two dogs, Lorca and Bukowski.[2]

One of her inspirations and roles models was artist Frida Kahlo, whom she portrayed in Coco.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2010Sucedió en un díaNatalia
2011Lluvia de LunaMartha
2011Ella y el candidatoAndrea
2012Ventanas al marAna
2014YerbamalaBárbara
2015McFarland, USASeñora Valles
2015VámonosDelShort film
2016IceboxGabriela FernandezShort film
2017Welcome BackCarmenShort film
2017CocoFrida Kahlo (voice)
2018DestroyerDet. Gavras

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2008–2009Los simuladoresNatalia6 episodes
2008TerminalesRita2 episodes
2010Los minondoIsabelMain role; 10 episodes
2011Bienes raícesOlga4 episodes
2016–2020Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.Elena "Yo-Yo" RodriguezMain role; 62 episodes
2016Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: SlingshotLead role; 6 episodes
2017Bates MotelJulia Ramos2 episodes
2021CoyotePaloma Zamora3 episodes

References
  1. Lovett, Jamie (February 16, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Casts Natalia Cordova-Buckley As Slingshot". ComicBook.com.
  2. "Natalia Cordova-Buckley". ABC. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. Cavassuto, Maria (April 14, 2016). "International Star You Should Know: 'Agents of SHIELD's' Natalia Cordova-Buckley". Variety.
  4. Tracy, Brianne (November 20, 2017). "Five Things to Know About Coco Star and Outspoken Mexican Actress Natalia Cordova-Buckley". People. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  5. Schick, Michal (December 28, 2016). "'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.': Natalia Cordova-Buckley talks 'Slingshot' and Yo-Yo's next adventure". Hypable. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  6. "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. Birnbaum, Debra (March 21, 2017). "'Agents of Shield' Star Natalia Cordova-Buckley Joins 'Bates Motel' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. "The 90th Academy Awards (2018) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
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