Maite Lanata (born 21 April 2000) is an Argentine actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Alma Bilbao, an autistic child, in the telenovela El elegido. Her performance earned her a Martín Fierro Award in the Revelation category.
She later played Luna Lunati in the series El marginal and Juani in the telenovela 100 días para enamorarse, the latter role notable for depicting a transgender teenager's transition. For this performance, she received the 2018 Martín Fierro Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Early life Maite was born on 21 April 2000 in Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province. During her childhood, she relocated with her family to Colegiales, in the City of Buenos Aires. She started acting as a hobby early in her childhood.
Career From 2009 to 2012, Lanata studied acting at the Escuela de Nora Moseinco. Her early screen work included two short films: Mineros de Chile (directed by Nicolás Puenzo, 2009) and Passage (directed by Shekhar Kapur, 2009). In 2010, after an extended casting process, she was selected for the lead role of Julia Castillo in Javier Van de Couter's debut film , which explored the lives of transgender women in marginalized communities. The film's release preceded Argentina’s passage of the Gender Identity Law (2012).
In 2011, Lanata portrayed Alma Bilbao, an autistic girl, in the telenovela El elegido (Telefe). The role marked one of Argentine television’s first depictions of autism during prime-time programming. To prepare, she underwent a three-month training period focused on breathing techniques and concentration methods.
From 2012 to 2013, Lanata continued advanced acting studies with Nora Moseinco, and later attended workshops at IUNA (now the National University of the Arts), including Introducción al Teatro del Oprimido and Disparando texto en acción (2015). That same year, she played Luna Lunati in El marginal (2015–2016), a manipulative teenager whose kidnapping drives the series' plot.
In 2018, Lanata portrayed Juani, a transgender teenager, in 100 días para enamorarse, a role that depicted gender transition and familial support, a narrative first for Argentine television. Her performance earned the 2018 Martín Fierro Award for Best Supporting Actress and received praise from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
She made her theatrical debut in Carla Moure's Jazmín de Invierno (2018), playing the titular character at ages 10 and 18. Later that year, she joined the cast of season 2 as Casilda/Moira Danubio, starring alongside Joaquín Furriel.
Lanata is a social communication student at the University of Buenos Aires.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2009Mineros de ChileDaughterShort filmPassageLittle AbbyShort film2011MíaJulia Castillo2015Francis: Pray for MeAmalia2018Yanka y el espíritu del volcánYanka 2019BrujaFátima4 metrosGabi2020IntuitionMinerva del Valle2021La sombra del gatoEmma2022El paraísoYoung Magdalena ScilkoVoice role2023LennonsBeggar2025GatilleroIsa
Television Year Title Role Notes2010Lo que el tiempo nos dejóPatriciaEpisode: "Los niños que escriben en el cielo"2010–2011Contra las cuerdasDalma2011El elegidoAlma Bilbao 2014Somos familiaMalena MirandaLa celebraciónLulaEpisode: "Niño" 2016UltimátumCecilia LociurEstocolmoInés Pardo2016–2022El marginalLuna LunatiMain role (season 1 and 5); recurring (season 3)2017–2023El jardín de bronceMoira Danubio / Casilda RauchMain role (season 2-3), guest (season 1)2018100 días para enamorarse"Juani" Castelnuovo SalinasMain role2019Argentina, tierra de amor y venganzaCarmen Trauman Main role (season 1, part 2) 2023El reinoAlejandra OrsiRecurring role (season 2)PrócerEva PerónEpisode: "Eva Perón"2025En el barroLuna LunatiPost-production
References
External links