Hera Hilmar
An Icelandic screen presence who transitioned from a childhood star into a compelling lead, carrying epic fantasies and intimate dramas with grounded intensity.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Icelandic actress·Birthday: December 27·Millennials
Biography
Hera Hilmar has been in front of cameras for most of her life, but her career is defined by a deliberate, thoughtful evolution. A child actor in Icelandic film and television, she could have been typecast, but instead she used that foundation to build a versatile and international profile. She studied acting in London, refining her craft before stepping back into the spotlight on her own terms. Hilmar possesses a quiet, resilient strength that makes her equally believable in a period drama or a sprawling sci-fi epic. This quality made her the ideal anchor for the dystopian series 'The Last Kingdom' and the film 'Mortal Engines,' where she held the center of massive, effects-driven worlds with a relatable human core. She consistently chooses roles that are complex and often physically demanding, proving herself as a leading woman who brings depth and authenticity to every frame.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Hera was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hera Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Hera's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the lead role of Hester Shaw in the major motion picture 'Mortal Engines,' produced by Peter Jackson.
- Portrayed the recurring character Ealhswith in the popular Netflix historical drama series 'The Last Kingdom'.
- Starred in the Icelandic drama 'The Swan,' which was submitted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
- Won the Edda Award (Icelandic film and television award) for Best Actress for her role in 'The Last Sentence.'
Did You Know?
She made her acting debut at age nine in the Icelandic film 'The Quiet Storm'.
She is the daughter of Hilmar Oddsson, a well-known Icelandic film director and composer.
She is a trained stage actress and has performed with the Reykjavik City Theatre.
She is fluent in Icelandic and English.
“I choose roles that unsettle me, that live in a place of unease.”
