Alicia von Rittberg has quickly risen from child actor in German television to one of the most intriguing European actresses of her generation. Best known internationally for her role opposite Brad Pitt in Fury (2014) and more recently for embodying the young Elizabeth Tudor in STARZ’s Becoming Elizabeth (2022), von Rittberg combines historical depth with modern authenticity. Yet what truly sets her apart is not just her performances but the way she redefines what it means to portray women on screen—balancing strength, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence.
This article explores Alicia von Rittberg’s career trajectory, acting philosophy, and growing impact on both German and international cinema.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 10, 1993, in Munich, Germany, Alicia von Rittberg grew up in a family of noble descent with three brothers. Unlike many actors who abandon academics for the screen, von Rittberg pursued both paths. After attending a humanities-focused Gymnasium, she studied corporate management and economics at Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen, preparing her bachelor’s thesis in 2017 while simultaneously filming high-profile projects.
Her dual pursuit of academics and acting has shaped her as an actress with unusual discipline and perspective—qualities that become evident in the way she approaches roles requiring historical nuance or psychological depth.
From Child Actor to Rising Star
Alicia’s first appearance on television came at the age of six on the children’s program Dingsda. Her professional career began in 2006 with a guest role in the crime drama The Old Fox.
Her breakout in Germany came with the seven-part family series Meine wunderbare Familie (2008–2009), where she played Lilly Sander, the teenage daughter of the lead character. By 2012, she was already recognized as a serious performer thanks to her role in Und alle haben geschwiegen (And All Were Silent), a TV drama about foster children. The performance earned her:
- 2013 Bavarian TV Award (Young Artist Award)
- Günter Rohrbach Film Prize
This marked the start of her reputation as an actress who brings raw vulnerability to the screen.
Transition to International Roles
Fury (2014) – Hollywood Recognition
Von Rittberg’s international breakthrough came with her role as Emma, a young German civilian, in David Ayer’s Fury. Sharing the screen with Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, and Shia LaBeouf, she stood out for the emotional weight she brought to her short but memorable performance.
Our Kind of Traitor (2016) – Espionage Thriller
She continued her international trajectory with Our Kind of Traitor, a spy thriller starring Ewan McGregor and Stellan Skarsgård. This positioned her as a versatile actress capable of shifting from war dramas to contemporary thrillers.
Career Highlights in German Cinema
Even while gaining international fame, von Rittberg continued to be a major figure in German film and television.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Charité | Ida Lenze | Won the Bambi Award for Best German Actress |
| 2018 | Balloon | Petra Wetzel | Based on a true Cold War escape story |
| 2019 | Lotte am Bauhaus | Lotte Brendel | Earned Seoul International Drama Awards nomination |
| 2020 | Resistance | Regine | WWII resistance drama starring Jesse Eisenberg |
| 2020 | Hello Again: A Wedding a Day | Zazie | Romantic comedy, showing her lighter side |
| 2022 | Leave | Hunter White | Psychological thriller |
This balance of historical dramas and lighter roles underscores her range as a performer.
Charité and the Turning Point
In 2017, von Rittberg starred as Ida Lenze, a nurse in Berlin’s historic Charité hospital during the late 19th century. The series became one of Germany’s most-watched productions and earned her the Bambi Award for Best German Actress.
Her performance demonstrated her ability to carry a leading role in a period drama, laying the foundation for her later portrayal of Elizabeth Tudor.
Becoming Elizabeth (2022): Reimagining the Tudor Queen
Perhaps the most transformative role of her career so far has been playing the young Elizabeth I in STARZ’s Becoming Elizabeth.
Perspective on Elizabeth
Unlike traditional depictions of Elizabeth I as a powerful monarch, this series explores her formative teenage years—a period rarely shown on screen.
Von Rittberg prepared extensively for the role:
- Trained for six months on accent work
- Learned horse riding, calligraphy, dance, and the virginal
- Immersed herself in the culture, politics, and religion of Tudor England
In her own words, she focused on Elizabeth not as the legendary queen but as a human being just trying to survive, make choices, and experience love.
Vulnerability as Strength
What distinguishes von Rittberg’s portrayal is her commitment to showing strength through vulnerability. She deliberately avoided projecting the Elizabeth we already know from history books, instead embracing her fragility, doubts, and youthful emotions.
This approach aligns with her broader belief that female leaders should not be defined only by “loud” authority, but also by emotional resilience.
Acting Philosophy: “Your Version of the Character”
In interviews, von Rittberg cites Helen Mirren as an influence, particularly Mirren’s belief that portraying a historical figure is like painting: every actor delivers their version rather than a definitive truth.
For von Rittberg, this meant:
- Avoiding the pressure of comparison with Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, or other iconic Elizabeths.
- Prioritizing authentic emotional storytelling over perfect historical accuracy.
- Connecting audiences to the human behind the crown.
Awards and Recognition
Over her career, Alicia von Rittberg has earned multiple accolades that recognize both her talent and versatility:
- 2013 – Bavarian TV Award (Young Artist Award)
- 2013 – Günter Rohrbach Film Prize
- 2014 – New Faces Award (Best Newcomer Actress)
- 2017 – Bambi Award (Best German Actress, Charité)
- 2019 – Seoul International Drama Awards (Best Actress nomination for Lotte am Bauhaus)
Her awards span both German and international recognition, reinforcing her status as a bridge between European cinema and Hollywood.
Why Alicia von Rittberg Stands Out
What separates von Rittberg from many of her peers is her ability to move seamlessly across genres, cultures, and languages.
- In Germany, she is celebrated for embodying historical figures with depth (Charité, Lotte am Bauhaus).
- In Hollywood, she is recognized for her ability to bring emotional nuance to ensemble casts (Fury, Resistance).
- In television, she has broken new ground by reimagining iconic characters from fresh perspectives (Becoming Elizabeth).
Upcoming Projects
Von Rittberg continues to expand her repertoire:
- Bis in die Seele ist mir kalt (2024, TV Movie) – Ute Patterer
- Boom (2024, Series)
- Dinner for Five – Killer for One (2025, Mini-Series) – Miss Sophie
These roles suggest a willingness to keep experimenting with both German productions and potentially more international ventures.
Conclusion
Alicia von Rittberg is more than just another European actress making her way into Hollywood. She represents a new generation of performers who balance historical authenticity with emotional accessibility. By portraying iconic figures like Elizabeth I with vulnerability, she challenges audiences to rethink what leadership, power, and womanhood mean—both in history and today.
With her combination of academic discipline, acting range, and artistic philosophy, von Rittberg is poised to continue shaping international cinema for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Alicia von Rittberg?
Alicia von Rittberg is a German actress best known for her roles in Fury (2014) alongside Brad Pitt and as Elizabeth Tudor in STARZ’s Becoming Elizabeth (2022).
What is Alicia von Rittberg’s educational background?
She studied corporate management and economics at Zeppelin University in Germany while building her acting career, balancing academics with film and television projects.
What awards has Alicia von Rittberg won?
She has received several honors, including the Bavarian TV Award (2013), the Bambi Award (2017), and a nomination at the Seoul International Drama Awards (2019).
What was her breakthrough role?
Her international breakthrough came with the World War II film Fury (2014), where she played Emma, a young German civilian.
Why is her role in Becoming Elizabeth significant?
Von Rittberg redefined the iconic queen by portraying Elizabeth I’s teenage years, focusing on her vulnerabilities and formative choices rather than her established monarchy.
What upcoming projects is Alicia von Rittberg working on?
She is set to appear in the TV movie Bis in die Seele ist mir kalt (2024), the series Boom (2024), and the mini-series Dinner for Five – Killer for One (2025).
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