Nina Hoss

Early life and education

Hoss was born in Stuttgart, West Germany, in 1975. Her father, , was a German trade unionist and politician (member of the Bundestag with The Greens, which he co-founded). Her mother, , was an actress at Stuttgart National Theatre and later director of the Esslingen-based Württemberg State Playhouse (Württembergische Landesbühne Esslingen).

Hoss acted in radio plays at the age of seven, and appeared on stage for the first time at the age of 14.

In 1997, Hoss graduated from the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, where she studied alongside Lars Eidinger, Fritzi Haberlandt, Devid Striesow, and Mark Waschke.

Career

Hoss' first major success was the title role Rosemarie Nitribitt of Bernd Eichinger's A Girl Called Rosemary in 1996, a period drama (based on an actual scandal) set in the 1950s that looks back at the days of West Germany's postwar Wirtschaftswunder, with what a New York Times review calls a "curdling cynicism".

In 2000, Hoss was one of the Shooting Stars at the Berlinale. Another collaboration with Petzold, Barbara, in which Hoss plays a doctor exiled to an East German provincial backwater in 1980, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2011 and the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012.

She later made her name in Hollywood playing a German BND agent in three seasons of the series Homeland (2014–2017). Hoss starred in the 2020 miniseries The Defeated, and was a series regular in season three of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan in 2022.

As a stage actress, Hoss was an ensemble member at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin from 1998 to 2013, where she appeared as Medea and as Franziska in Minna von Barnhelm (2005). In 2013, she joined the ensemble of the Schaubühne theatre in Berlin. There, she starred in three productions by director Thomas Ostermeier, including Lillian Hellman's 'Little Foxes' (2014) and the world premiere of Yasmina Reza's Bella Figura (2015). In his stage production (2017) of Didier Eribon's book Returning to Reims, her starring role drew autobiographically from her relationship with her father and his activist politics.

Hoss recorded a duet with the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers called "Europa geht durch mich" ("Europe goes through me") for the album Futurology, which was released on 7 July 2014. Hoss features on the 2021 album Bright Magic by Public Service Broadcasting.

She stars in Todd Field's Tár alongside Cate Blanchett as Sharon Goodnow, a violin player who is the partner of conductor Lydia Tár. In the film, Hoss plays the concertmaster of an orchestra. In 2025, Hoss starred as Eileen Lovborg in Nia DaCosta's Hedda, for which she received critical praise for her performance.

Other activities

Hoss was a jury member of the German Film Academy's First Steps awards for young filmmakers in 2000. She was a member of the juries of the Locarno International Film Festival in 2009, the Berlin International Film Festival in 2011, and the 73rd Venice International Film Festival in 2016.

She served as the sole judge of the 2012 Alfred Kerr Acting Prize at the Berliner Theatertreffen.

In 2018, she was part of the jury that awarded the first-ever Wortmeldungen Prize for Literature of the Crespo Foundation.

Social and political commitment

Hoss supports the Make Poverty History campaign and fights female genital mutilation. In continuation of the work of her father she is committed as a goodwill ambassador of the state of Pará in Brazil against the destruction of the rain forest and to improve the living conditions of the indigenous people living there.

In 2017, she joined Cate Blanchett, Lars von Trier, and others, in signing a petition in support of Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov and against a crackdown on artistic expression in Russia.

Hoss served as an Alliance 90/The Greens delegate to the Federal Convention for the purpose of electing the President of Germany in 2004 and 2010.

Recognition and honours

Hoss has received numerous state honours, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2013). She was appointed a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France (2015).

In August 2019 Hoss was invited to be a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

She has received glowing reviews by American critics for her performances in films.

Personal life

Hoss married British music producer Alex Silva in 2015 after having been in a relationship with him for 12 years.

Filmography

Film awards and nominations

Hoss has won or been nominated for many awards, including:

• 2019 – Douglas Sirk Award at the Filmfest Hamburg
• 2023 – Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Virtuosos Award, for Tár; recognising "noteworthy performances in films which have elevated them into the national cinematic dialogue"

References

Notes

References

1. (2009). "The Concise Cinegraph: Encyclopaedia of German Cinema". Berghahn Books.
2. Kellaway, Kate. (2024-04-28). "German actor Nina Hoss: 'London is more driven. In the theatre, people are full of positive energy'". The Guardian.
3. "Nina Hoss".
4. Zarin, Cynthia. (2018-02-15). ""Returning to Reims": A German Theatre Company's Meditation on the Politics of Working-Class Families".
5. [http://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/aktuell/festivals/berlinerfestspiele/presse_bfs/pressemeldungen/pressemeldung_detail_39157.php Nina Hoss is judge of the 2012 Alfred Kerr Acting Prize (1 March 2012)]{{Dead link. (April 2020)
6. Philip Oltermann (23 March 2017), [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/mar/23/lars-eidinger-ss-gb-personal-shopper-interview Lars Eidinger: 'The Nazis cramp us Germans up. But Brits have a Third Reich fascination'] ''[[The Guardian]]''.
7. Anna Kemper, and Daniel Müller (7 February 2013), [https://www.zeit.de/2013/07/Berlinale-Schauspieler-Nina-Hoss-Fritzi-Haberlandt-Lars-Eidinger-Mark-Waschke/komplettansicht Deutsche Schauspieler: Eine Klasse für sich] ''[[Die Zeit. ZEITmagazin]]''.
8. Stephen Holden (15 October 1999), [https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/15/movies/film-review-a-prostitute-undone-by-ambition.html "A Prostitute Undone by Ambition"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.
9. Her close collaboration with director [[Christian Petzold (director). Christian Petzold]] has been extremely successful; she won the 2003 [[Adolf Grimme Award]] for her role in his film ''[[Something to Remind Me]]'' and two years later the Adolf Grimme Award in Gold for ''[[Wolfsburg (film). Wolfsburg]]''.{{citation needed. (December 2024 Her performance of ''[[Yella (film)). Yella]]'', earned her the [[Silver Bear for Best Actress]] at the [[Berlin International Film Festival]] in 2007 and the [[German Film Award]] in 2008.[http://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/alle/Alle-Detail_8724.html Berlinale 2011: International Jury] {{webarchive. link. (25 January 2011 , Berlin International Film Festival, 21 January 2011.{{in lang). de
10. (May 18, 2021). "''Tom Clancy{{'s}} Jack Ryan'': Betty Gabriel Joins Amazon Series in Recasting; Four Others Added for Season 3".
11. "Beautiful Corpses and Yasmina Reza's "Bella Figura" {{!}} by Joseph Pearson".
12. "Nina Hoss".
13. Vincentelli, Elisabeth. (2 February 2018). "A 'Homeland' Spy Opens Up Onstage in 'Returning to Reims'". The New York Times.
14. "Class Traitors Didier Eribon and Thomas Ostermeier's "Returning to Reims" {{!}} by Joseph Pearson".
15. Harris, John. (26 June 2014). "Manic Street Preachers: Eurostars find a new strasse".
16. "Public Service Broadcasting share new track 'People, Let's Dance' from upcoming 4th album".
17. Roxborough, Scott. (2022-12-08). "'Tár' Star Nina Hoss on Her Way into Her Character's Psyche: "She Enjoys the Power and the Privilege"".
18. (2022-10-14). "Nina Hoss on 'Tár,' Working With Cate Blanchett, and Following Her Intuition".
19. Barasch, Alex. (2025-11-10). "Nina Hoss’s Latest Act of Defiance Is “Hedda”". The New Yorker.
20. Canfield, David. (2025-11-21). "Nina Hoss Got Offered More Queer Roles After ‘Tar’ – But ‘Hedda’ Offered That and Much More".
21. [http://www.firststeps.de/wettbewerb/die-jurys.html The juries] {{Webarchive. link. (11 August 2019 First Steps.)
22. Vivarelli, Nick. (24 July 2016). "Laurie Anderson, Joshua Oppenheimer, Zhao Wei Set For Venice Jury". [[Variety (magazine).
23. [https://www.crespo-foundation.de/nachricht/verleihung-des-wortmeldungen-literaturpreises-an-petra-piuk/ Verleihung des WORTMELDUNGEN-Literaturpreises an Petra Piuk] ''Wortmeldungen'' Prize for Literature, press release of 7 May 2018.
24. "Berlin Live 8 Concert Attracts Over 200,000 {{!}} Germany {{!}} DW.COM {{!}} 2 July 2005". DW.COM.
25. "I have a dream".
26. Barbara Jänichen: "[https://www.welt.de/welt_print/article1334785/Nina-Hoss-und-das-Amazonas-Erbe-ihres-Vaters.html Nina Hoss and the amazon-heritage of her father]". In: ''[[Die Welt]]'', 6 November 2009.
27. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46125108 Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov goes on trial for fraud] ''[[BBC News]]'', 7 November 2018.
28. [https://www.oscars.org/news/academy-invites-842-membership Academy Invites 842 To Membership] [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]], press release of 1 August 2019.
29. A. O. Scott (16 July 2009), [https://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/movies/17woman.html "Diary of Soviet Violence in a Conquered Capital"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 17 July 2009.
30. Merry, Stephanie. (6 August 2015). "In 'Phoenix,' a woman fights back from the brink". Washington Post.
31. Adey, Oliver. (16 September 2020). "Nina Hoss: She has been secretly married for five years".
32. (16 September 2020). "Nina Hoss: Habe vor fünf Jahren geheiratet".
33. Ntim, Zac. (22 January 2024). "Berlin Reveals 2024 Competition Lineup: Rooney Mara, Mati Diop, Isabelle Huppert, Abderrahmane Sissako Movies Among Selection".
34. Vassilis Economou. (16 January 2025). "Diverse perspectives and limitless creativity abound in the Berlinale Panorama".
35. Britta Schmeis (30 September 2019), [https://www.welt.de/regionales/hamburg/article201158910/Filmfest-Hamburg-Schauspielerin-Nina-Hoss-erhaelt-Douglas-Sirk-Preis.html Nina Hoss will Widersprüchlichkeiten ergründen] ''[[Die Welt]]''.
36. (November 1, 2022). "Austin Butler, Ke Huy Quan and More Among Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award Honorees".
37. Cockrell, Eddie. (20 September 1999). "The Volcano".
38. Bayern.de: [http://www.bayern.de/Pressemitteilungen-.1255.19185/index.htm Official press release] {{webarchive. link. (22 February 2014)
39. John Hopewell and Jamie Lang (28 September 2019), [https://variety.com/2019/film/festivals/pacified-golden-shell-san-sebastian-1203352832/ ‘Pacified’ Wins Golden Shell at San Sebastian] ''[[Variety (magazine). Variety]]''.
40. Neglia, Matt. (December 14, 2022). "The 2022 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Nominations".
41. Shanfield, Ethan. (October 25, 2022). "'Tár' Leads Gotham Awards Nominations: Full List".
42. (2023-01-12). "Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA) Dorian Film Awards nominations: 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' 'TÁR,' 'Aftersun' lead".
43. Fang Tham, Su. (November 22, 2022). "They're Finally Here! The 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Film Nominations Announced!".
44. Pulver, Andrew. (2022-12-21). "The Banshees of Inisherin leads pack as London film critics announce nominations".
45. (2023-02-12). "Minnesota Film Critics Alliance (MFCA) nominations: 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' leads with 11".
46. Neglia, Matt. (January 9, 2023). "The 2022 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Nomination".
47. Neglia, Matt. (January 3, 2023). "The 2022 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations".
48. Neglia, Matt. (December 22, 2025). "The 2025 Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Award Nominations".
49. Neglia, Matt. (November 25, 2025). "The 2025 Hollywood Creative Alliance’s (HCA) Astra Film Award Nominations". Next Best Picture.
50. (December 11, 2025). "'One Battle After Another' Earns Record Nine Awards at 2025 Chicago Film Critics Association Honors; Rose Byrne, Timothée Chalamet Share Best Acting Awards". [[Chicago Film Critics Association]].
51. (December 15, 2025). "2025 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners". [[San Diego Film Critics Society]].
52. Anderson, Erik. (December 7, 2025). "Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Go for 'One Battle After Another', Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, and More". AwardsWatch.
53. Vlessing, Etan. (2025-08-21). "Idris Elba, Channing Tatum, Catherine O’Hara Set for Tribute Awards at Toronto Film Fest".
54. (2025-10-02). "AwardsWatch - ‘Rental Family’ to Close 13th Middleburg Film Festival; ‘Eternity,’ ‘The Secret Agent’ Set as Spotlights".