Natasha Liu Bordizzo

The Value of a Black Belt

Natasha Liu Bordizzo didn't come from any acting school before she made her debut in a Netflix blockbuster. She was studying law at the University of Technology Sydney when an open casting call changed her path for good. She was 19 years old and held a black belt in taekwondo, which turned out to be her best calling card.

In 2016 she landed the role of Snow Vase in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny. She didn't need stunt doubles for most of her fight scenes. This physical edge allowed her to enter the industry through a door few actors manage to open: authenticity in combat.

It was a purely physical decision.

But filming in New Zealand and China was only the beginning. After that first brush with the cameras, she decided to move to Los Angeles to try her luck in a much more competitive market. She left behind law books and textbooks because she understood that her mixed heritage (a Chinese mother and an Italian father) fit the growing demand for global faces.

From Historical Drama to Fan Phenomenon

In 2017 she appeared in The Greatest Showman as Deng Yan. Although it was a supporting role, it taught her how the major Hollywood studios operate. Shortly after, in 2018, she shot Hotel Mumbai, a raw account of the terrorist attacks in India, where she shared the cast with Dev Patel.

And the industry took notice.

Netflix called her back in 2019 to star in The Society. She played Helena, a character who keeps order in a town where all the adults have vanished. The series was canceled after a single season due to the logistical complications of 2020, but her performance received positive reviews for its restraint.

That same year she worked alongside Daniel Radcliffe in Guns Akimbo. In this frenetic action film, she once again showcased her talent for violent choreography and dark humor. The shoot in Germany and New Zealand was demanding and reinforced her status as an actress capable of enduring night shoots and extreme weather without complaint.

Taking the leap to the galaxy

The official announcement came in November 2021. Natasha Liu Bordizzo was chosen to bring Sabine Wren to life in the live-action series Ahsoka. The character was already beloved by animation fans, and the pressure to meet their expectations was immense.

The fight was real.

In 2023 the first season premiered on Disney+. For this role she had to go through a three-month training program with Lucasfilm's team of stunt specialists. She learned to handle the lightsaber with a technique that blended samurai style with her own foundation in Korean martial arts. Critics praised how her Sabine Wren kept the rebellious spirit of the original character while bringing the maturity the story needed.

But her work wasn't limited to fight choreography. She had to study hours of prior material from Star Wars Rebels to capture the gestures and attitude of the Mandalorian. For her, the key to the character wasn't in the armor but in the defiant gaze and the traumatic past she carried.

Production on the second season of Ahsoka set its filming schedule for late 2024 at the studios in Manhattan Beach, California.