Yael Grobglas (Hebrew: יעל גרובגלס; born (1984-05-31)31 May 1984) is an Israeli actress, best known for her role as Petra Solano on The CW's television series Jane the Virgin.

Yael Grobglas
Grobglas at the 2015 PaleyFest presentation for Jane the Virgin
Pronunciationyah · elle – growb · glass
Born (1984-05-31) 31 May 1984 (age 40)
Paris, France
NationalityIsraeli
OccupationActress
Years active2004–present
SpouseArtem Kroupenev (m. ?–present)[1]
Children1[2]
Websiteyaelgrobglas.com

Her first major role was in three seasons of the Israeli sci-fi television series Ha'i (האי, The Island; 2007–09), which established her popularity among Israel's teenage audiences. She gained recognition for her debut film role in the first Israeli horror film Rabies (כלבת, lit. Kalevet; 2010), which participated in the Tribeca Film Festival, and a number of other venues internationally. Through 2010–11 Grobglas performed a number of lead and leading/supporting roles on major Israeli television series, such as the sitcoms Ha-Shualim (השועלים, lit. The Foxes; 2010), and Ramzor (רמזור, lit. Traffic Light); as well as in the fantasy series of Hatzuya (חצויה, lit. Split; 2011). Grobglas is also known for her role as The Girl in the interactive official music video of Say You Like Me by We the Kings.[3] and as Gabi in Israeli television drama series Tanuhi (תנוחי, Relax; 2012). It was announced on 22 February 2013 that the actress was cast in the lead role of America Singer in The CW's second pilot for The Selection,[4] though that was ultimately not picked by the network. That same year, Grobglas was cast for The CW's historical romantic drama series Reign as Olivia, a noblewoman who is an old flame of Prince Francis.[5]

Early life

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Grobglas was born in Paris, France. Her father Jean Pierre Grobglas hails from a French-Jewish family of Ashkenazi Jewish (Polish-Jewish) descent. [6][7][8][9][10] Her mother Eva (Rosner) is originally a Christian from Austria, who has converted to Judaism.[1][10] Both her parents are artists. On her father's side she has relatives who died in the Holocaust. In 1986, as a two-year-old baby, Grobglas's family immigrated to Israel with her; and resided in the city of Ra'anana, Israel, where she grew up.[8][1][10]

Her talent and passion for performing arts became visible even as a young girl. As a teenager, Grobglas studied and performed in professional dance and ballet groups. She later led a brief modelling career and participated in a number of runway shows and advertising campaigns. Eventually having realized a greater interest in acting, Grobglas graduated from the Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio in Tel Aviv, Israel.[11][12]

Career

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In 2007, Grobglas was cast to her first major role for the Israeli sci-fi series "The Island", which made her popular among Israel's young audiences. Following two consecutive seasons of the show Grobglas enrolled in a full-time three-year acting program at the Yoram Loewenstein Performing Arts Studio. She completed performing for the third season of Israeli series The Island in 2010, and was cast for a number of major commercials during the course of her acting studies.

In 2010, Grobglas gained international recognition when she starred in the first Israeli horror film Rabies[13] (Kalevet). She was part of the main cast of the Israeli sitcom HaShualim (The Foxes). Grobglas also played the role of Linda Christie in a Beersheba Theater adaptation of Play It Again, Sam.

In 2012, Grobglas was cast to the Israeli comedy-drama series Tanuchi ("Chill").

In 2013, Grobglas starred as America Singer in the CW's The Selection pilot,[4] described as a cross between The Bachelor and The Hunger Games, but it was ultimately not picked up to series.[14] In the same year, she began the recurring role of Olivia D'Amencourt in the CW's series Reign.

In 2014, Grobglas was cast as Petra, one of the main characters on the CW's Jane the Virgin. When describing her experience as Petra to the New York Times, Grobglas said, "I'm usually cast for the more goofy and tomboyish characters [...] I'm having a wonderful time playing someone so complex and layered and funny." "She's calculating, resourceful and manipulative," she said. "But even though I don't agree with the decisions she makes, you have to admire her. It's been a blast playing such a mischievous character because she's so unlike me."[15] In January 2015, Time magazine stated that "Grobglas [...] has turned Petra into one of television's most amusingly complex comic villains. Fans love to hate her, yet as Jane delves deeper into Petra's backstory – and shows off her lighter side – they're starting to love her as well."[16]

In 2015, Grobglas starred along Yon Tumarkin and Danielle Jadelyn in JeruZalem, an English-language Israeli horror film.[17]

In March 2016, TVLine gave Grobglas an honorable mention for her performance in Jane the Virgin Chapter 36: "Leave it to Jane the Virgin's unsung MVP Yael Grobglas to turn the painful process of giving birth – to twins, no less! – into a comedic tour de force ... After witnessing Grobglas' impeccable ability to mix humor and emotion, we can't wait to see what challenges (and laughs) motherhood will bring for her character."[18]

In 2024, Daniel Feinberg of the Hollywood Reporter noted Yael's performance in the 2024 CBS series Matlock: "I also quite liked the one-off guest appearance by Jane the Virgin‘s Yael Grobglas. She plays a human lie detector working as a jury consultant and her return might be what it would take to get me to come back to Matlock at some point."[19]

Personal life

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Grobglas is married to Israeli businessman Artem Kroupenev, her high school sweetheart. They have a home in Tel Aviv, Israel.[1] On 22 September 2019, Grobglas announced on Instagram that she was expecting her first child.[20] On 17 January 2020, she announced that she had given birth to a baby girl, Arielle.[2]

Grobglas has mentioned she has a strong passion for food, cooking and hosting dinner parties in her spare time. She avoids eating meat, and in 2012, she became a pescetarian before moving to the United States.[21]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Maybe This Time Toti
2007–09 The Island Ginny Main Role
2010 Rabies Shir Hebrew title: כלבת (Kalevet)
The Foxes Eli
2011 Ramzor Nufar Levy Recurring role
Split Noy Recurring role (season 3)
Golden Girls Lihi
Barefoot Jane Mini-series
2012 Chill Gaby
2013 The Selection America Singer[4] Unsold TV pilot[14]
Savri Maranan Amit (Adam's date) Guest role; 2 episodes
2013–14 Reign Olivia D'Amencourt 7 episodes
2014–19 Jane the Virgin Petra Solano/Natalia Dvořáček 98 episodes
Anežka Archuletta
2015 JeruZalem Rachel Klein Film, Lead role
The Pajamas Amit Repeating her role from Savri Marnan
2016 Grace Note Thea Short film
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Trina Episode: "When Will Josh and His Friend Leave Me Alone?"
2017–18 Supergirl Gayle Marsh / Psi 2 episodes (season 3)
2018 An Interview with God Sarah Asher Film
2019 Hell's Kitchen Herself Reality series; Guest diner; Episode: "The Grand Finale"
2022 Undone Leeba Episode: "Rectify"
2022 Hanukkah on Rye[22] Molly[23] Television film
2024 Matlock [19] Shae Banfield 2 episodes
2024 Jerusalem 67 Sarah Film, Lead Role (not yet released)

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Play It Again, Sam Linda Beersheba Theater

Music video

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Year Title Artist Role Notes
2011 "Say You Like Me" We the Kings The Girl

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Bio" (PDF). studioact.co.il.
  2. ^ a b Juneau, Jen (18 January 2020). "Jane the Virgin's Yael Grobglas Welcomes First Child, Daughter Arielle: 'Wish Us Luck'". People. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  3. ^ "We The Kings 'Say You Like Me' Interactive Video". Wethekingsmusic.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (19 February 2013). "CW Pilot 'The Selection' Casts Its Lead". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  5. ^ Bricker, Tierney (31 July 2013). "Reign Scoop: The Selection's Yael Grobglas Cast as a Threat to the Throne". E! News. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Family tree of ALAIN DERU (Deru)".
  7. ^ Davis, Barry (2 December 2007). "A cast of castaways". The Jerusalem Post.
  8. ^ a b "Yael Grobglas". TV Guide.
  9. ^ "רעננה - המהפך של יעל גרובגלס". ynet (in Hebrew). 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011.
  10. ^ a b c "דם חדש: ראיון עם יעל גרובגלס". www.makorrishon.co.il. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  11. ^ Yael Grobglas Biography TV Guide. Retrieved on 25 August 2024
  12. ^ ‘Jane the Virgin’ lets Israeli actress strut her evil stuff The Times of Israel. 1 March 2015
  13. ^ "Tribeca Film Festival: Rabies". Tribecafilm.com. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  14. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (9 May 2013). "'The Selection' Dead at the CW". Deadline Hollywood.
  15. ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (3 September 2014). "So Good to Be Bad TV's New Villains: Hope Davis, John Carroll Lynch, Yael Grobglas and Others". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  16. ^ Feeney, Nolan (19 January 2015). "How Petra Solano Became Jane the Virgin's Most Lovable Villain". Time. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  17. ^ Miska, Brad (7 July 2014). "Hell Breaks Loose In 'jeruZalem' (Exclusive First Look!)". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Performer of the Week: Sarah Paulson". TVLine. 12 March 2016.
  19. ^ a b Fienberg, Daniel (22 September 2024). "'Matlock' Review: Kathy Bates' CBS Take on the Andy Griffith Favorite Is Slightly Twistier Than You're Expecting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  20. ^ Grobglas, Yael [@yaelgrobglas] (22 September 2019). "The evening before #MPTF front and side angle" – via Instagram.
  21. ^ "Jane the Virgin's Yael Grobglas Makes Shakshuka When She Feels Homesick". Grub Street. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  22. ^ "Hanukkah on Rye". IMDb.
  23. ^ "This Year's Hanukkah Hallmark Movie About Jewish Delis Sounds... Good?". Kveller. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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