She’s a star of stage and screen and one of Portugal’s most popular actresses. Currently appearing in the stage play Dear Evan Hansen, Gabriela will soon return to our TV screens in the fifth season of Taskmaster before starting rehearsals for a reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.
Gabriela Barros has starred in many of Portugal’s most popular television programmes – Morangos Com Açúcar, Inspector Max and Taskmaster – and won a Golden Globe for her hilarious performances in the iconic Pôr do Sol (Sunset). She has a similarly impressive track record in the theatre and film, and has a dedicated social media following, whom she frequently entertains with funny insights into her life, work and family.
Gabriela came to national prominence when she featured in the eighth season of the popular youth telenovela Morangos com Açúcar (Strawberries with Sugar).She was 21 years of age and had honed her skills at the Lisbon-based Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema and Evoé Escola de Atores. The actress went on to star in more than twenty TV series and several films, including as the lead in the highly acclaimed O Som Que Desce na Terra (The Sound That Descends to Earth). In 2022, she was the lead protagonist in Vanda, the gripping true story of a mother who, after being a victim of marital and financial betrayal by her husband, is compelled to rob banks at gunpoint.
It was Vanda and Pôr do Sol which cemented Gabriela’s reputation as a leading actress, ably showcasing her ability to undertake both dramatic and comedic roles. Looking back on the runaway success of Pôr do Sol, Gabriela told me, “It’s probably my favourite work, but we had no idea it would be so big.” Over two seasons and thirty-six episodes, Gabriela is the standout star of the show, playing three different roles and displaying exquisite comedic timing throughout. It won her a Golden Globe in 2022 for Best Actress.
Gabriela went on to star in the film adaptation, Pôr do Sol: O Mistério do Colar de São Cajó (The Mystery of the Necklace of São Cajó) and in the hard-hitting Sempre. For the last six years (over 100 episodes), she’s been a sketch show regular on the weekly RTP programme Cá Por Casa (Here at Home), hosted by the legendary comedian Herman José.
Since September, Gabriela has been back on stage in an adaptation of the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen, which ranks as one of the most decorated stage shows of recent years. Telling the story of Evan, a high school senior with social anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of a fellow classmate, it’s been described by one critic as ‘An excellent play, very well staged and represented’. Gabriela plays the mother of Evan in a role that allows her to showcase her dramatic range and wonderful singing voice. It runs until 2 February at O Teatro Maria Matos in Lisbon.
Gabriela will soon be back on our TV screens in the fifth season of Taskmaster. The last time she was on the show, she emerged as the triumphant winner, so the pressure will be on this time! “I love the show,” Gabriela said. “It’s really grown-ups playing like children, which is something I like a lot. It’s well hosted and terrific fun.”
In March, Gabriela joins the cast of the musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Teatro da Trindade in Lisbon. Featuring well-known Portuguese songs integrated into the story, it runs until 6 July and is another chance to see Gabriela in a musical. Indeed, music has been a constant theme throughout her life, with Gabriela once fronting the band Seda (Silk) and recently dueting with João Marques on the ballad ‘Amor Telenovela’ (Love Soap Opera).
In addition to being one of the most in-demand actresses working today, Gabriela is a loving mother to her young daughter, Laura, so understandably, she doesn’t get a great deal of leisure time. When she does, she enjoys the gym and visiting the Algarve, where her family has a property near Olhos de Água.
If you want to keep up to date with Gabriela’s work, then check out her Facebook and Instagram pages (see below). Gabriela, who speaks three languages – Portuguese, French and English – regularly posts updates about her work, family, and, even occasionally, her adorable dachshund named Olivia. You’ll soon get a sense of her self-effacing good humour and of an actress who, while taking her work seriously, does not take herself too seriously. For such a talented and acclaimed actress, that’s a wonderful outlook.
www.leonorbaboactores.com/actriz/gabriela-barros
www.facebook.com/GabrielaBarrosoficial
www.instagram.com/gabrielalrbarros
Over two seasons and thirty-six episodes, Gabriela is the standout star of Pôr do Sol, playing three different roles and displaying exquisite comedic timing throughout. It won her a Golden Globe in 2022 for Best Actress.
‘Love, passion, mystery, and betrayal make up the days at the Pôr do Sol estate.’ Pôr do Sol is a creative, irreverent and hilarious satire of TV soap operas that pokes good-natured fun at long-standing traditions. It has been broadcast by Netflix since 2022 and is also available (with English-language subtitles) on Prime.
Since September, Gabriela has been back on stage in an adaptation of the Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen, which ranks as one of the most decorated stage shows of recent years.
Gabriela will soon be back on our TV screens in the fifth season of Taskmaster. The last time she was on the show, she emerged as the triumphant winner, so the pressure will be on this time!
