Shira Haas (born 11 May 1995) is an Israeli actress. She first rose to local prominence for her role in the television series Shtisel (2013–2021). Her international breakthrough came with her portrayal of Esther "Esty" Shapiro in the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox (2020), for which she received Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations, becoming the first Israeli actress to be nominated for the latter.
After appearing in theatre productions as a child, she transitioned to film making her debut in Princess (2014). She has since starred in multiple films including A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015) and Asia (2020). She also appeared in the Netflix science fiction television series Bodies (2023) and played Ruth Bat-Seraph in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
Early life Haas was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 11 May 1995, to a Polish Jewish family. Two of her grandparents are Holocaust survivors; her grandfather was imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp in occupied Poland during World War II, whereas her grandmother had immigrated to Israel from Hungary. In Hebrew, her first name literally means the noun "poetry", "singing" or "her song". When she was one year old, her family moved to the city of Hod HaSharon, Israel, where she grew up with her older sister and brother.
At age two, Haas was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Through years of radiation treatment she recovered, but the ordeal damaged her spine and stunted her growth, leading to her diminutive size. On 2 August 2022, her mother Ariela "Leah" Haas died of cancer, after weeks in hospice, at age 61.
She attended the Thelma Yellin High School of Arts in Givatayim, Israel, majoring in theatre, before completing a short period of volunteer service in the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) theatre unit, despite being medically exempted from mandatory conscription.
Career 2010–2019: Early work and breakthrough At age 14, she began performing in plays at the Tel Aviv's Cameri Theater, such as Ghetto (2010) and Richard III. She made her television debut as the role of Haredi girl Ruchami Weiss in the Israeli drama series Shtisel in 2013. While attending Thelma Yellin, Haas was approached by an Israeli casting director by the name of Esther Kling via Facebook message in 2014. She encouraged Haas to audition for the lead role in the Israeli film Princess (2014). After getting her debut role at the age of 16, Haas was praised by The New York Times for her "truly remarkable lead performance", and was admired by The Hollywood Reporter for fitting the part of a 12-year-old character with her "petite frame and baby-smooth complexion". The role won her the awards for Best Actress at both the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Peace & Love Film Festival, as well as a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the Israeli Ophir Awards.
Haas made her first appearance in an international film when she played the role of young Fania in compatriot Natalie Portman's directorial-debut, A Tale of Love and Darkness (2015). Haas also appeared alongside Jessica Chastain in Niki Caro's The Zookeeper's Wife (2017), which led to her American talk show debut on The Today Show in 2016. Haas auditioned for the role over Skype call. She earned her second Israeli Ophir Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Foxtrot (2017), which made the final shortlist for the 90th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
At the 2018 Israeli Ophir Awards, Haas was nominated for both Best Leading Actress for Broken Mirrors (2018) and Best Supporting Actress for Noble Savage (2018), the latter of which she won. In 2018, she appeared as Leah in Mary Magdalene, written by Helen Edmundson and directed by Garth Davis. She made the Israeli Forbes list of 30 under 30 in February 2019, before appearing alongside Harvey Keitel in the second biblical film in her acting career, Esau (2019).
2020–present: International recognition with Unorthodox
In March 2020, Haas starred in the German limited Netflix series Unorthodox (2020) as Esther "Esty" Shapiro, a young girl who runs away from her arranged marriage and Ultra-Orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City. Filming for the show occurred in Berlin, Germany, with Haas learning the Yiddish language, shaving her head and also completing both piano and singing lessons prepare for the role. Based on the true life story of Deborah Feldman, the series received critical acclaim. Haas also received critical acclaim for her role, with various publications praising her performance. At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Haas was nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series for this performance, becoming the first Israeli to be nominated for an acting Primetime Emmy Award. זו הפעם הראשונה ששחקנית ישראלית (או שחקן) מקבלת מועמדות לפרס האמי המרכזי. "This is the first time that an Israeli actress (or actor) has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award."
Haas acted alongside Alena Yiv in the role of a daughter who becomes reliant on a wheelchair in the Israeli film Asia (2020), which premiered online at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role earned Haas the award for Best International Actress at the festival. The jury wrote, "Her face is a never-ending landscape in which even the tiniest expression is heartbreaking; she's an incredibly honest and present actress who brings depth to everything she does." Her performance in the film also earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 30th Israeli Ophir Awards. In late April 2020, she joined a virtual ceremony celebrating Israel's 72nd Independence Day, alongside Ben Platt and Josh Malina. Haas was signed to Creative Artists Agency in June 2020.
In 2024, Haas appeared in the titular role of historic drama Ethel. Haas was named to Forbes' 2021 list for North America of 30 Under 30 innovators and entrepreneurs in 20 categories. That same year, Haas starred as Nancy in the musical Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre in London's West End.
In February 2025, Haas portrayed an iteration of the Israeli superhero Sabra in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Captain America: Brave New World. The inclusion of her character was met with controversy, due to the Gaza–Israel conflict. Her character, Ruth Bat-Seraph, is portrayed as a former Black Widow assassin. The character received polarising views with many arguing that the MCU's iteration of the character was stripped of her comic counterpart's characteristics and that her Israeli identity was largely downplayed. Haas has also stated that she received multiple anti-Semitic threats during this time.
Personal life As of April 2020, Haas has resided in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2025, local media outlets reported that Haas ended her four-year relationship with Israeli film director Ido Weisman.
In October 2023, Haas along with hundreds of other actors and entertainment executives from Hollywood, signed an open letter to President Biden calling for support in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas following the group's October 7 attacks against Israel.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2014 Princess Adar / Daughter 2015 A Tale of Love and Darkness young Fania Mussman / Kira2017 Foxtrot Alma The Zookeeper's Wife Urszula 2018 Mary Magdalene Leah Noble Savage Anna 2019 Broken Mirrors Ariela Esau Teen Leah 2020 Asia Vika 2025 Captain America: Brave New World Ruth Bat-Seraph 2027 Rachel de Champlain Filming TBA Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes 2013–2021 Shtisel Ruchama Weiss / Ruchama Tonik 30 episodes 2015–2016 Hazoref Yosefa "Sofi" Ben-David (young) Israeli mini-series; 7 episodes 2016 Ikaron HaHachlafa Salame Israeli series; 3 episodes 2017 Harmon Tamar Israeli series; 8 episodes 2018 HaMenatzeah Odi Israeli series; 10 episodes 2020 Unorthodox Esther "Esty" Shapiro Netflix mini-series 2023 Bodies DC Iris Maplewood Netflix series; 8 episodes 2024–present Night Therapy Yasmin Israeli series; 8 episodes TBA Anna Koheler Miniseries
Stage Year Title Role Venue 2024 Opening Night NancyGielgud Theatre
Awards and nominations Award Year Work(s) Category Result Awards of the Israeli Television Academy 2021Shtisel Best Lead Actress – Drama Series 2025 Night Therapy Best Supporting Actress – Drama Series Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2021 Unorthodox Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries German Television Awards 2020Unorthodox Best Actress Golden Globe Awards 2021Unorthodox Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Golden Nymph Awards 2024 Night Therapy Jury Special Prize Independent Spirit Awards 2021Unorthodox Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series Jerusalem Film Festival 2014 Princess Best Actress Ophir Awards 2014 Princess Best Actress 2017 Foxtrot Best Supporting Actress 2018 Broken Mirrors Best Actress Noble SavageBest Supporting Actress 2020 Asia Peace & Love Film Festival 2015 Princess Best Actress Primetime Emmy Awards 2021 Unorthodox Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Satellite Awards 2021 Unorthodox Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Tribeca Film Festival 2020 Asia Best International Actress
See also
List of Israelis List of Jewish actors List of Jews in the performing arts
Notes
References
External links