The Slovenian actress talks about her beginnings, starring in BBC’s Wild Cherry as Jelena and working on Martin Scorsese films such as the Wolf of Wall Street and Danny Collins.

Slovenian actress Katarina Cas has built a remarkable career that spans genres and regions. From her first role in Peklenski načrt ( which roughly translates to Devilish Plan” or “Hellish Scheme) to being on international roles alongside Martin Scorsese regulars, Al Pacino, and Brendan Gleeson.

as has built a remarkable career that spans genres and regions. From her first role in Peklenski načrt ( which roughly translates to Devilish Plan” or “Hellish Scheme) to being on international roles alongside Martin Scorsese regulars, Al Pacino, and Brendan Gleeson.

In this interview, she reflects on her journey from jazz ballet to the global screen, the pride she takes in representing her small but beloved country, and her latest role in Nicole Lecky’s BBC drama Wild Cherry, a project that challenged her in all the right ways.

You started acting at just 13 in the film Peklenski načrt. What drew you to acting at such a young age, and how did that early experience shape your approach to the craft and your future career?

It actually all started with dancing. I was part of a jazz ballet group, and we performed a lot, including on television. One day, a production team looking for young faces for a commercial came to our dance rehearsals, and I was cast. The commercial became very popular, and through that I was invited to audition for the film Peklenski načrt.

That was when I truly fell in love with the process of filmmaking. As a kid, being on set, surrounded by so many people all working toward the same goal — actors, makeup, costume, technical departments, set designers, cinematographers — it felt magical to me. That experience was crucial. It made me realize that after finishing school, I wanted to pursue acting seriously and see where it could take me.

Do you feel a sense of responsibility as one of Slovenia’s most internationally recognized actresses? How do you navigate representing your country abroad?

Oh yes, definitely (smiles). I do feel that responsibility — and I also put a fair amount of that pressure on myself. Slovenia is a small country, and people can be quite critical; praise doesn’t come easily. You really have to prove yourself.

That said, I genuinely love promoting Slovenia wherever I go, not because I feel obligated to, but because I want to. It’s a truly beautiful country: green meadows, forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, and even the sea — all within a very small distance. People are also very kind, especially to foreigners. And we love sports. Slovenian athletes have an incredible ability to bring the whole nation together in a way that very few things can.

What was the transition from the Slovenian film and television industry to international productions like? Were there significant differences in working methods or culture?

Slovenia actually has a very skilled and dedicated film community. The biggest difference is budget. Compared to productions in the UK or the US, we operate with far fewer resources.

International productions tend to have higher production values — more locations, larger casts, more assistants, drivers, trailers, and overall infrastructure. In Slovenia, we don’t usually have those kinds of extras. But creatively, the process itself is not so different. Storytelling, collaboration, and the focus on performance remain the same, regardless of scale.

The Guard was your international breakthrough. What was it like working with John Michael McDonagh and sharing scenes with actors like Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle in that dark comedy?

The Guard will always have a special place in my heart, as it was my first international role. Of course, I was nervous — especially knowing I would be playing opposite actors I admired greatly.

But from the very beginning, the atmosphere on set was incredibly relaxed and fun. Brendan, Don, and John shared a very similar sense of dry humor with me, so we bonded quickly. In fact, I’m still in contact with John M. McDonagh and his wife Lizzie more than fifteen years later.

After The Guard, you worked with Martin Scorsese in The Wolf of Wall Street, and later played Al Pacino’s much younger fiancée in Danny Collins, alongside another star-studded cast. How did you manage to stay so relaxed opposite such big names?

I think I don’t really get star-struck. Of course, at first there’s excitement — maybe even a bit of trembling — but it’s about the work and the opportunity to collaborate with incredible artists.

Once you’re on set, though, you have a job to do. There’s no space for being shy or overwhelmed. I wasn’t “Katarina” anymore — I was Chantalle in The Wolf of Wall Street and Sophie in Danny Collins. I focused on the characters. I used my imagination and treated it like a play with different players. That makes it much easier to forget about fame and just stay present in the scene.

You won the Vesna Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film Paradise – Una nuova vita. What did that role and that recognition mean to you personally?

The Vesna is Slovenia’s most prestigious national film award, so it meant a great deal to me. Paradise was an Italian film with Slovenian co-production, and I wasn’t even sure we were in competition. So when I received the award, it came as a complete surprise.

Those are often the sweetest moments — when recognition comes unexpectedly. Acting can be a tough profession, and actors are by nature sensitive and often full of doubt. Receiving an award like that feels like a very kind and reassuring pat on the back.

I loved the role as well. I enjoy playing quirky characters, and the fact that she speaks both Italian and Slovenian made her especially fun to play. Plus, through that movie I met my fiancé, so there are definitely a lot of beautiful memories (smiles).

You’ve worked across many television series, from American productions such as Berlin Station (series regular, season three) and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, to British shows including A Touch of Cloth, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Wild Bill, and most recently Wild Cherry. Let’s talk about Wild Cherry by Nicole Lecky for the BBC. What can you tell us about that project, and what excited you about working with a BAFTA-winning creator and a talented cast?

I loved being part of Wild Cherry. It’s a female-driven drama that explores trust — and the lack of it — between friends, and between mothers and daughters. What really drew me in was how honestly it looks at the masks people wear to appear perfect on the outside, while hiding much more complicated inner lives.

The series also shines a light on the darker side of online life and the parallel worlds young people can live in without their parents’ knowledge — and how dangerous that can be. Working with such a strong cast was a joy; we shared a genuinely great experience together. Nicole Lecky is an incredibly talented and fearless storyteller, and I truly admire her voice. I’m rooting for her and very excited to see what she creates next.

Tell us more about your character, Jelena Milanović, without giving spoilers.

Jelena has Balkan roots and a lot of attitude, but above all she is unapologetically outspoken and honest. She doesn’t particularly care what the other mothers in this wealthy community think of her. At first, she may come across as cold — even a little dodgy — but as the story unfolds, we begin to see that beneath that tough exterior she is deeply emotional and very real.

I loved playing her because she is very different from me. Finding her rhythm, her defenses, and the emotional truth underneath was a real acting challenge. Stepping into her shoes pushed me out of my comfort zone, which is always where the most interesting work happens.

For more on Katarina, follow her Instagram for more information.