Jessie Mei Li

Jessie Mei Li (born 27 August 1995) is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Alina Starkov in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone, which is based on the Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Jessie Mei Li was born in Brighton, England. She is of mixed heritage, with a Chinese father and an English mother. Li grew up in Redhill, Surrey and attended Reigate College. She later studied at the National Youth Theatre and trained part-time at the Identity School of Acting in London.

Career[edit | edit source]

Li made her professional acting debut in 2019 with a role in the play All About Eve, which was staged at the Noël Coward Theatre in London. She starred alongside Gillian Anderson and Lily James.

In 2021, Li gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Alina Starkov in the Netflix fantasy series Shadow and Bone. The series, which premiered on 23 April 2021, is an adaptation of the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows novels by Leigh Bardugo. Li's performance was praised for bringing depth and nuance to the character.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Jessie Mei Li is an advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. She has spoken openly about her experiences as a mixed-race actress and the importance of seeing diverse stories on screen.