MyAnna Buring is a Swedish-born British actress whose career has spanned horror, fantasy, and period drama. From her breakout role in The Descent to her celebrated performance in The Witcher, she has built a reputation for versatility and depth. For a deeper look, explore our comprehensive filmography guide.
Born on 22 September 1979 in Sundsvall, Sweden, Buring grew up in the Middle East and studied at the American British Academy in Oman. She later graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2004. Her distinctive presence on screen has made her a recognizable figure in both British television and international cinema.
What movies and TV shows has MyAnna Buring been in?
Buring’s filmography is notable for its range. She has moved from claustrophobic horror to epic fantasy franchises and period dramas. Her most prominent roles are listed below, providing a snapshot of her career.
Born: 22 September 1979 in Sundsvall, Sweden
Known for: The Descent, The Twilight Saga, The Witcher, Downton Abbey
Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m) per some databases (unconfirmed)
Marital status: Not publicly known
Key insights into her career highlight her versatility and the breadth of her work:
- Buring is a Swedish-born British actress with a versatile career across horror, fantasy, and period drama.
- She is best known for her role as Tanya in The Twilight Saga and as Tissaia de Vries in The Witcher.
- Despite common misconceptions, she did not appear in Game of Thrones or Harry Potter.
- She maintains a private personal life, with no confirmed information about a husband.
- Her breakout film role was in The Descent (2005), where she played Sam.
- She is also the associate director of the MahWaff Theatre Company.
- She has been active in the industry since 2004.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | My Anna Margaretha Buring Rantapää |
| Birth Date | 22 September 1979 |
| Birth Place | Sundsvall, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish, British |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 2004–present |
| Training | LAMDA, class of 2004 |
| Notable Works | The Descent, Kill List, The Twilight Saga, Downton Abbey, The Witcher |
| Other Role | Associate director, MahWaff Theatre Company |
| Charity Work | Women for Women; SolarAid (from 2014) |
Early career and breakout roles
Buring’s first major screen role was playing Sam in the 2005 horror film The Descent. Directed by Neil Marshall, the film became a critical and commercial success, establishing her as a rising talent. She followed this with a guest appearance in Doctor Who in 2006, playing Scooti Manista. The same year, she featured in the science fiction film The Last Days of the World.
Notable film credits
In 2008, Buring appeared in Doomsday, another Neil Marshall film. She later took on a role in the acclaimed thriller Kill List (2011). Her most high-profile film role came in 2011 when she joined The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 as Tanya Denali, a member of the Denali vampire coven. She reprised this role in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012).
While Buring is often associated with the Twilight franchise, she only appeared in the final two films. She did not appear in Twilight, New Moon, or Eclipse.
Television work
Buring’s television career is equally impressive. She played Susan Hart in the BBC series Ripper Street from 2012 to 2016. She also appeared in Downton Abbey, playing the maid Edna Braithwaite in the 2012 Christmas special and throughout its fourth season. In 2013, she starred as Anika Hauten in the crime drama Crossing Lines. From 2019 to 2023, she portrayed Tissaia de Vries, the powerful sorceress and head of Aretuza, in Netflix’s The Witcher.
Was MyAnna Buring in Game of Thrones or Harry Potter?
A common question among fans is whether Buring appeared in two of the biggest fantasy franchises of the past two decades: Game of Thrones and Harry Potter. The answer is no to both.
Despite her frequent work in genre television and film, Buring was never cast in Game of Thrones. Similarly, she has no credited role in any of the eight Harry Potter films. The confusion may stem from her presence in other large ensemble fantasy properties, such as The Witcher and The Twilight Saga.
No reliable source, including Wikipedia or IMDb, lists MyAnna Buring as part of the cast for Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. Any claims to the contrary are unfounded.
Who is MyAnna Buring’s husband?
Buring is known for keeping her personal life private. As of the available information, she has not publicly confirmed a husband or partner. Sources indicate she lives in North London and that she gave birth to a son in May 2017. In 2022, she spoke publicly about experiencing antenatal depression following the birth. Beyond this, details about her romantic relationships are not publicly documented.
How tall is MyAnna Buring?
Buring’s height is sometimes reported as 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) in various online databases. However, this measurement is not universally consistent across sources, and no official confirmation from Buring herself or her representatives has been found. It remains a point that may vary depending on the source.
Career timeline
- 2004: Acting debut and graduation from LAMDA.
- 2005: Starred in The Descent as Sam.
- 2011: Appeared in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 as Tanya.
- 2012: Reprised role in Breaking Dawn – Part 2 and began Ripper Street.
- 2012–2013: Appeared in Downton Abbey as Edna Braithwaite.
- 2019: Starred as Tissaia de Vries in The Witcher.
- 2023: Final appearance in The Witcher (season 3).
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about MyAnna Buring?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| She was born in Sweden on 22 September 1979. | Her marital status and husband are not publicly confirmed. |
| She played Tanya in The Twilight Saga. | Her exact height is sometimes reported as 5’5″ (1.65 m) but may vary across sources. |
| She played Edna Braithwaite in Downton Abbey. | Some minor role listings may be incomplete or incorrect. |
| She played Tissaia de Vries in The Witcher. | No upcoming projects have been publicly confirmed beyond her latest known role. |
| She did not appear in Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. |
Why is MyAnna Buring a subject of fan curiosity?
Buring has cultivated a dedicated fanbase through her work in genre projects. Her roles in major franchises like Twilight and The Witcher naturally lead to questions about her involvement in other similar properties. The confusion about Harry Potter and Game of Thrones likely arises from her frequent presence in fantasy and science fiction settings. For a deeper look at her work, refer to our comprehensive filmography guide.
Where do the facts about MyAnna Buring come from?
“MyAnna Buring (born 22 September 1979) is a Swedish-born British actress. Her films include The Descent, Kill List, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and Part 2.”
“MyAnna Buring was born 22 September 1979, in Sundsvall, Sweden. She is also the associate director of the MahWaff Theatre Company.”
— IMDb
A concise overview of MyAnna Buring’s career
MyAnna Buring is a versatile actress whose career spans nearly two decades. From her breakthrough in The Descent to her standout roles in Downton Abbey, Twilight, and The Witcher, she has proven her range across genres. While she maintains a private personal life, her professional achievements are well-documented. For a deeper look at her work, explore our comprehensive filmography guide.
Frequently asked questions
Was MyAnna Buring in Harry Potter?
No, MyAnna Buring did not appear in any Harry Potter film.
Was MyAnna Buring in Game of Thrones?
No, she was not cast in Game of Thrones.
What is MyAnna Buring’s role in The Witcher?
She played Tissaia de Vries, the head sorceress of Aretuza, across all three seasons.
Who did MyAnna Buring play in Downton Abbey?
She played Edna Braithwaite, a maid, in the 2012 Christmas special and season 4.
Is MyAnna Buring married?
Her marital status is not publicly known. She has not confirmed a husband.
How tall is MyAnna Buring?
Some databases list her height as 5’5″ (1.65 m), but this is not officially confirmed.
What was MyAnna Buring’s first film?
Her breakout film role was in The Descent (2005), playing Sam.
Did MyAnna Buring train at LAMDA?
Yes, she graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2004.
Does MyAnna Buring have children?
Yes, she gave birth to a son in May 2017.
What is MyAnna Buring’s nationality?
She is Swedish-born and is described as a British actress in several sources.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.