Sophia Eleni is quickly establishing herself as one of the UK’s most captivating rising stars. Known for her emotionally rich performances, she has recently stunned both gamers and film audiences alike. In ‘Cairn’, the critically acclaimed psychological survival game that won Best Game at the Tribeca Festival, Eleni plays the lead role of Aava — a woman confronting both physical danger and inner turmoil as she climbs a perilous mountain. This gripping performance is followed closely by her starring role in the upcoming psychological horror film ‘As Night Falls’, set for release later this year.

In this exclusive interview, Sophia opens up about the depth of her recent roles, her passion for storytelling across genres, and what lies ahead in her fast-rising career.

You’ve had some amazing media success lately, from ‘Cairn’’s win at Tribeca to the buzz around ‘As Night Falls’. How has this period been for you?

Thank you! It’s been a really defining chapter of my career. When you’re in the thick of creating something, you never know how it’ll land – so to see ‘Cairn’ connect on such a big stage, and to see the growing anticipation around ‘As Night Falls’, has been incredibly exciting.

What’s been interesting is that both roles came at a time when I felt the most grounded in myself — both personally and professionally. I wasn’t chasing a breakthrough; I simply knew I was ready for deeper, more emotionally resonant work. And now that it’s happening, it doesn’t feel like luck — it feels like alignment.

So to tell these stories now, on this scale, feels quite personal. Like I’m finally getting to show the kind of work I’ve always wanted to do.

What was your experience like working on ‘Cairn’? The game has been praised for its emotional storytelling — what drew you to the role of Aava, and how did you prepare for such an intense voice performance?

Aava is a complex, very human character. She’s not just climbing a mountain – she’s climbing through guilt, grief, and the ghosts she’s chosen to outrun. It’s about proving something – maybe to herself, maybe to the people she’s leaving behind. That tension, between her physical endurance and her emotional unravelling, is what made her such a compelling character to me as an actor.

There’s something radical about a woman choosing solitude and silence, not because she’s broken, but because that’s where she finds strength — and that energy was really interesting to tap into.

I approached the role very much like I would for a film. The game’s storytelling is so rich and grounded, it demanded that same level of truth. Everything had to be very stripped back.

I watched a lot of documentaries about professional female rock climbers and was struck by how much of their endurance is mental. It’s not just about physical strength – it’s a psychological kind of resilience, which really echoed Aava’s journey.

Naturally, of course, the role was quite physically demanding though, so I spent a lot of time limbering in the studio and getting adrenaline going. I focused a lot on my breath work, which helped not only with the effort sounds but in accessing the emotional core of the role too.

‘As Night Falls’ is generating real anticipation. What can you tell us about the film and your role in it?

I am really excited about ‘As Night Falls’! It’s a claustrophobic, psychological horror set in a dystopian world where nothing – or no one – is what they seem. An entity is outside, taking on the form of people you know, so trust becomes dangerous. The world around them is unpredictable and unforgiving, and over time, the real threat becomes more about how humanity fractures under pressure.

I play the lead role, Jane – a former vet who uses her medical knowledge to bargain her way into a safehouse with her partner and a small group of survivors. She’s a natural caregiver and is deeply intuitive. Of course, though, the bleakness of this world has left its mark on her. She carries grief and disillusionment — and there are moments where that pain breaks through, which pushed me to get to some very raw, vulnerable places as an actress.

But what I love about Jane is she’s a woman trying to hold onto compassion in a world that’s ruthless and unforgiving – and despite all the odds, she refuses to lose that part of herself. Her warmth really adds a layer of hope to the harrowing landscape.

Which past projects do you think audiences most recognise you from? And are there any performances that feel especially close to your heart?

People often recognise me from the TV series ‘Call The Midwife’, where I played the feisty Cypriot Maria Kaufopolous in Season 10! It was such a fun role, and working alongside Jenny Agutter was amazing. I had a rare chance to represent my heritage on screen too.

Another standout was war biopic ‘The Shamrock Spitfire’, a wartime drama where I portrayed a young nurse who falls for the hero in a story of unrequited love. I’ve always been fascinated with World War Two, so I was especially drawn to the script. Because it’s based on a true story, a lot of research and preparation went into this role, and I was very particular about providing an authentic portrayal. It’s a piece I’m incredibly proud of, and I felt very honoured to have won five Best Actress awards for my performance.

What upcoming projects can you share with us? And what are your goals for the next stage of your career?

I’ve just wrapped filming on ‘Bone Keeper’, a dark, atmospheric thriller-horror directed by Howard J. Ford and starring the legendary John Rhys-Davies. The film, set to release next year on digital platforms, follows six friends who venture into a remote cave system in search of answers behind a string of mysterious disappearances. I play Nadia — the tech-savvy, sharp-tongued member of the group. She’s got a tough, tomboy edge and definitely her own reasons for going down into those caves… it was such a juicy role to sink my teeth into. Howard gave me incredible freedom to shape her, and I really enjoyed leaning into her complexity.

Right now, I’m leading an upcoming AAA RPG video game set in a richly imagined, existential sci-fi world. I’ve been in the studio for the past three months, and there’s still plenty more to record! It’s an ambitious, deeply narrative-driven project from one of the industry’s most respected developers, and being at the heart of it has been a thrilling new chapter in my career.

Looking ahead, I’m drawn to bold, emotionally charged storytelling — in film, television, and games — especially stories that live in complex, uncomfortable spaces and characters who defy convention. That’s the kind of work that excites me most, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.