Aliona Baranova is a British Russian actress. Aliona identifies as bisexual and queer. She is also famous as the girlfriend of the Shadowheart (Baldur’s Gate III) actress Jennifer English.
Baranova is additionally a performer capture artist and mocap director. Alongside her queer partner, Aliona has gained some sizeable popularity of her own. Know how she began her career as an actress in addition to details including her origin, relationship with English, and more.
Aliona Baranova Is Russian By Birth; Had To Change Her Original Name
Baranova hails from Moscow, Russia. She however grew up in Belarus. Her parents later immigrated to the UK taking Aliona with them. Baranova’s parents however had it difficult when registering their daughter’s name.
In Oct 2020, the Brunette actress, via her Instagram revealed that her parents were advised not to use a foreign name with a foreign surname. The actress’s parents eventually agreed to an English version of their daughter’s name, Helen Baranova.
Baranova however changed her name back which is Aliona Baranova.
Jennifer’s partner also studied animation in the Czech Republic. She furthermore has a degree in Psychology from the University of Southampton.
What’s more, Baranova did two years of actor training at the Poor School and an intensive summer training in acting at the Moscow Art Theater School.
It however is unknown when Baranova was born. Some sources claim she was born in the mid-90s. The actress also hasn’t revealed when she celebrates her birthday.
Aliona Is Jewish; She Has Had Her Say On the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Baranova is of Jewish heritage. She has revealed this in one of her stories. Aliona spoke of this in the aftermath of the conflict going on between Israel and Palestine. While the Maternal star hasn’t taken sides, she has expressed her sympathies for the victims in Israel, the hostages, and their families.
Baranova simultaneously has also expressed her inability to remain silent on the atrocities that the Palestinian people are facing.
Through her stories still intact, Baranova has added to the calls to demand an end to the bloodshed. She additionally has urged her followers to email their respective local government officials demanding an immediate ceasefire as well as educate themselves on the conflict. The Baldur’s Gate III actress furthermore has set up a donation link and is also speaking of the issue at the London University every Tuesday.
Baranova is also against Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
What Projects Has Aliona Been In; Her Career
One of Baranova’s earliest roles was as Amelia in the short film, Timing. Following that, Baranova acted in several more short films.
The Russian-born actress’s first film role was as Gerda Degner in the 2021 film, Missile From The East. Aliona also played Zoya in the drama series, Maternal.
She worked as the mocap director on Larian’s Baldur’s Gate III as well as voiced in the game as Xeph. Baranova has also provided her voice in other video games including Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and Total War: Warhammer III.
Baranova has been a performance director at PitStop Productions since 2020.
Her Relationship With Actress Jennifer English
Baranova met her girlfriend during the audition for the role of Shadowheart in BG3. She had auditioned for it however didn’t get it. Baranova though got the chance to direct and later did a couple of sessions. It was during her fourth or fifth session that Baranova stumbled upon Jennifer. She had come to record Shadowheart.
When Jen came into the studio she was an absolute ray of sunshine. It was sickening – she was so wonderful, I couldn’t hate her. I wanted to, so badly, but I just couldn’t. She got along with everyone; she was so friendly. I thought, “you’re making this so hard for me.”
said Baranova on her first experience with English.
The actress said Jennifer was a far better performer than she was and that she’d learned a lot from her since then to become a better performer herself.
Quick Facts
Baranova is a theater-trained actress in addition to a performance capture artist.
Aliona Baranova is fluent in English and Russian. She additionally has knowledge of Judo, Gymnastics, Rock Climbing, and Firearms.
