Nat Boltt (born 19 July 1973) is a South African actress, director and writer, whose debut feature film, Holy Days, which she wrote and directed, was released in 2026. She started out as a writer and actor. She is known for her role in District 9 and as Penelope Blossom for seven seasons on The CW’s teen drama series Riverdale from 2017 to 2023. In 2026, her directorial debut, Holy Days, was released.
Early life and education Boltt grew up in Johannesburg in South Africa during apartheid and graduated with a BA in Acting and Dance from Rhodes University in Grahamstown in 1995.Actor biography johnsonlaird.com. Retrieved on 28 November 2024Riverdale, interview with actress Nathalie Boltt: "Consider yourself enlightened" Daily Bloid. 1 August 2022
Career Her initial break into acting was in her birth country, South Africa, as Joey Ortlepp on the SABC 3 drama Isidingo from 2001 to 2004.Actor Biography: Nathalie Boltt, South African TV Authority. In 2005, she appeared in The Poseidon Adventure, the NBC remake of the film of the same name.
In 2009, she had a supporting role in Neill Blomkamp's South Africa-set science fiction action film, District 9. She then had a support role in the New Zealand television film, Bloodlines, based on the true story of Colin Bouwer, a South African doctor in New Zealand who killed his wife. She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2011 Aotearoa Film & Television Awards.Bloodlines NZ On Screen. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
In 2017, she had a role in 24 Hours to Live alongside Ethan Hawke.24 Hours to Live - Full Cast & Crew TV Guide. Retrieved on 28 November 2024
She also voices many characters, including of DottyWot in the New Zealand children's series The WotWots.
In 2026, her directorial debut, Holy Days, was released. Filmed in New Zealand, the movie features Jackie Weaver, Judy Davis and Miriam Margolyes as elderly nuns who take a road trip to try and save their convent.Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, Jacki Weaver to join NZ set of Nat Boltt’s ‘Holy Days’ if.com.au. 5 November 2024Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes and Jacki Weaver to Play Quirky Nuns in Nat Boltt’s Comic Adventure ‘Holy Days’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety. 1 November 2024 The film was screened for distributors at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival,Jeremy Kay, "Features from UK, Canada, Nigeria among TIFF Industry Selects line-up". Screen Daily, August 18, 2025. and premiered to at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It was theatrically released in New Zealand on 26 February, and will be released in North America on 27 March.
Personal life She emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand in 2006 and raised her son in Wellington with her husband, Phil.At my place: Riverdale actress Nathalie Boltt Stuff. 15 October 2017Nathalie Boltt NZ On Screen. Retrieved on 28 November 2024 She has since emigrated to Canada and now lives in Vancouver.Top Billing catches up with Riverdale stars Nathalie Boltt and Mädchen Amick Top Billing. Retrieved on 28 November 2024Episode 322: Nathalie Boltt YVR Screen Scene. 8 October 2024
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2007 Flood Kate Morrison 2007 Route 30 Mandy 2008 Doomsday Jane Harris 2009 District 9 Sarah Livingstone 2010 Kawa Annabelle 2013 The Silk Nurse 2014 The Cure Ruby Wakefield 2014 Route 30 Three! Agent Nat 2015 Food for Thought Merran Short film 2017 24 Hours to Live Dr Helen 2020 Watershed Sam Short film2021DemonicAngela 2024 The Ornament Luna Short film 2026 Holy Days Liz Directorial debut
Television Year Title Role Notes 1998 Isidingo Joey Ortlepp Series regular; soap opera 2003 Red Water Marie Savoy TV movie 2004 Rosa von Zülow TV movie 2005 The Poseidon Adventure Shoshanna TV movie 2005 The Triangle News Reporter Miniseries; uncredited 2007 Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Jessica Jefferies Episode: "Behind the Scenes" 2008 Inspector George Gently Trudi Schmeikel Episode: "Bomber's Moon" 2009 The Cult European Woman 3 episodes 2010 The WotWots DottyWot Main cast (series 1); voice role 2012 True Crime: Siege Vicki Snee TV movie 2014–2015 Step Dave Natalie Robinson 4 episodes 2015 When We Go to War Ida Mueller Miniseries 2016 Bombshell Dominique Prieur TV movie 2016–2017 800 Words Rae 5 episodes 2017–2023 Riverdale Penelope Blossom Recurring role; also director of episode: "Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death" 2018 Origin Laura Kassman Episode: "God's Grandeur" 2018 Happy Together Amelia Episode: "The Power of Yes... Men" 2019 Mystery 101: Words Can Kill Celia Bunton TV movie 2020 Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Miss DuBois Episode: "Chapter Twenty-One: The Hellbound Heart" 2022 The Secrets of Bella Vista Shannon TV movie 2024 A Remarkable Place to Die Marijke Van Heusen 1 episode
Web Year Title Role Notes 2015 Dropped Pie Charrlotte Houghton-Bradley 3 episodes
References
External links Official website