On November 15, three new stars will enter the
Charlie's Angels
film universe. Viewers will likely recognize Kristen Stewart and
Aladdin
's Naomi Scott, but co-star Ella Balinska is a less familiar face, stepping into an iconic franchise as a relative unknown. Here, five things to know about the up-and-coming performer, from her British background to her enviable style.
Charlie's Angels
is her first lead role in a movie
A scroll through any one of Balinska's social feeds shows the actor's excitement for the upcoming reboot. In the movie, she plays ex-MI6 agent Jane Kano, a gadget-savvy intelligence operative who romances Noah Centineo's character. It's Balinska's first big break since starring in the Sky teen drama
The Athena
.
Balinska recently spoke to
ELLE U.K.
about what she hopes audiences take from a 2019 update of
Charlie's Angels
.
"We had this amazing opportunity to inspire a whole new generation who will watch the film and take something quite different from the other one," Balinska said. "It’s through a lens which is a really empowered narrative with smart, intelligent, hardworking, witty, and talented characters. You can look at them and see them echoed in real life through your friends, family members, and colleagues too."
She's a fan of anime movies
Balinska told
British Vogue
in October 2018
that she was excited to take on a role in
Charlie's Angels
after admiring characters in Studio Ghibli films such as
Princess Mononoke
,
Nausicaa
,
and
Howl's Moving Castle
.
She also leaned into her history of running track and throwing javelin while training for the movie.
She hails from London
Balinska's parents are English model-turned-chef Lorraine Pascale and Polish entrepreneur Kaz Balinski-Jundzill. She discussed her upbringing in her
British Vogue
interview
. “There were times when I was younger and would be the only mixed-race person in the room," she told the outlet. "It was confusing, but I’ve since realized there's no real label that goes with it. It's more just about who you are and being true to yourself. Your people will find you.”
She's also a brand ambassador
Balinska stands at 5'11 and stars in a campaign for
Kurt Geiger
?a brand she worked for in London's Selfridges department store less than two years ago.
Her red carpet looks are killer
Although Balinska is just getting started on the big screen, her red carpet looks are anything but elementary. She stunned in metallic Tory Burch at the Met Gala, and wore a sleek black Burberry look to
Harper BAZAAR's
ICONS party.
![Harper's BAZAAR Celebrates "ICONS By Carine Roitfeld" At The Plaza Hotel Presented By Cartier - Arrivals Harper's BAZAAR Celebrates "ICONS By Carine Roitfeld" At The Plaza Hotel Presented By Cartier - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ella-balinska-attends-as-harpers-bazaar-celebrates-icons-by-news-photo-1570813698.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0.0204xh&resize=980:*)
Dimitrios Kambouris
//
Getty Images
![The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion - Arrivals The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion - Arrivals](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/ella-balinska-attends-the-2019-met-gala-celebrating-camp-news-photo-1570813750.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.669xh;0,0.0465xh&resize=980:*)
Dimitrios Kambouris
//
Getty Images
![Celebrity Sightings: September 18 - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 Celebrity Sightings: September 18 - Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/is-seen-during-the-milan-fashion-week-spring-summer-2020-on-news-photo-1570813832.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.667xh;0,0.0204xh&resize=980:*)
Jacopo Raule
//
Getty Images
She told ELLE U.K. that her style inspirations include Jaden Smith and her dad.
"I am not one to shy away from the men’s section," she said. "I'm quite tall and a lot of [menswear] fit me quite well, the way they hang feels very comfortable. Things that are considered 'fitted' [in womenswear] might not actually fit me well, at least if it’s baggy and loose, I’m free and comfortable."