Written by Alina Rose Armstrong
Born in Iran to an Iranian mother and a Swiss father, actress Lara Wolf grew up in Zurich, Switzerland, immersed in two distinct cultures from an early age. This multicultural background fostered Lara’s understanding of global communities and greatly influenced her artistic aspirations. Fluent in both Farsi and Swiss German, Lara developed a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and storytelling.
One of Lara’s earliest inspirations was her father’s nightly guitar playing. Despite working a traditional 9-to-5 job, he would come home each evening and play the guitar, immersing Lara in the world of music. Observing how music brought him — and, by extension, her — such joy and freedom motivated Lara to pursue jazz singing and violin lessons. As a shy and introverted child, she longed for that same sense of release and self-expression, something she only experienced during her school’s annual play. Her opportunities to further explore these passions were limited in Switzerland and Iran. Lara jokes that “productions in Switzerland would only be sought in Hollywood for roles related to banking.”
While studying psychology at the University of Zurich, Lara continued her voice and violin lessons, which became essential for maintaining her sense of balance and fulfillment in life. One day, her voice teacher, recognizing Lara’s clear passion for self-expression, sat her down and told her that a conventional path was not meant for her — that she was destined for greatness. Fueled by her teacher’s encouragement, Lara took a leap of faith and decided to pursue performance full-time, hoping to recapture the liberating feeling she once experienced and fully immerse herself in the world of acting.
Discovering Method Acting
Lara first discovered The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute Institute through an unexpected trend of Swiss beauty queens who, following their pageant triumphs, chose to pursue acting training at the prestigious New York school. Her research quickly confirmed that Method Acting was exactly what she wanted to study. At The Institute, Lara ventured into an entirely new world. She embraced the experience fully, “finding herself and her identity wholeheartedly through the process.” Interestingly, Lara found that her background in psychology, despite its academic nature, complemented the teachings of The Method remarkably well. Just as she had analyzed academic texts in school, she could now delve into script analysis, exploring characters and their motivations with a similar depth.
Under the guidance of esteemed teachers like Robert Ellermann and Lola Cohen, Lara learned to draw from her personal experiences to enrich her craft and was amazed by the transformative environment at LSTFI. She was captivated by the fluidity and openness of the Method Acting technique and equally fascinated by its profound physical and mental effects, which extended far beyond performance. Lara found that The Method’s relaxation techniques helped her release stress and trauma, allowing her to fully harness her instrument and imagination.
Landing Her First Agent and Role
At the end of the Two-Year Conservatory program, LSTFI offers a showcase which helped Lara secure her first agent. Lara recognized her luck of landing representation so quickly. Still, nothing could have prepared her for the excitement of booking the NBC pilot Believe on just her third audition. In the show, she portrays a young Iranian girl in flashbacks depicting a family torn apart by the struggles and conflicts of the Islamic Republic. The role allowed her to draw from her own life, demonstrating the powerful intersection of personal experience and the performing arts. Moreover, Lara portrayed the younger playing the younger version of Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, whom she had long admired, deepening her connection with her own culture and identity.
Lara continued to audition and seize every performance opportunity that came her way, soon realizing that landing roles was far more challenging than her initial fortune made it seem. Ultimately, her breakthrough came when she secured the role of a lifetime in Peacock’s highly anticipated series Those About to Die, led by Anthony Hopkins.



Those About to Die
In Those About to Die — a grand-scale gladiator drama set in the late first century — Lara takes on the role of Queen Berenice, a character steeped in historical significance. Created by Robert Rodat, the show delves into the bloodshed and treachery of the Roman era, capturing the collision of cultures and power struggles within the empire.
Landing her role in Those About To Die was anything but straightforward. Eight months before the show’s release, a friend alerted Lara’s agent about the opportunity. Despite initial indifference from the UK casting office and a lack of immediate response, an Italian casting director eventually called Lara to audition. The audition process was intense, involving three scenes and nine pages of dialogue, which Lara prepared overnight. She submitted her audition by midnight and, despite juggling another ongoing project, was shortlisted by the following morning. Remarkably, Lara learned that the show was filming in the city she was already working – Rome. Ultimately, the casting team selected her and the production schedule swiftly adjusted to accommodate her availability, reinforcing Lara’s belief that “if a role is meant for you, it will find its way to you.”


Embodying Queen Berenice
Lara prepared for her role meticulously. Queen Berenice is one of just four historical figures in the show, offering Lara a unique opportunity to learn about the character and connect with the material. Driven by her background in academia, she delved into extensive research about Queen Berenice, including consulting a historian for translations. Playing a queen proved to be an empowering challenge. The role allowed Lara to embrace a more commanding presence on screen and assert her range as an actress.
Throughout filming, Lara employed Method Acting techniques, integrating her personal memories and experiences into her performance. The production’s demanding schedule, with actors frequently rotating in and out, presented unique challenges. Lara learned to quickly adapt and stay grounded by using breathing techniques, prioritizing her health, and balancing a fitness routine to maintain her energy and focus.
Embracing the Future
As her career continues to evolve, Lara envisions a future where she not only acts but also writes, produces, and directs. She teases about some exciting upcoming projects that she’s not yet able to reveal, emphasizing her deep gratitude for every opportunity she receives. Despite her success, Lara’s focus remains on her appreciation for the chance to bring diverse stories to life, ever mindful of both the serendipity and hard work that have shaped her journey.