Christina Ochoa

Spanish actress Christina Ochoa gained degrees in three different scientific fields before switching her attention to Hollywood where she landed recurring roles in CIA drama "Matador" (El Rey, 2014), gritty crime series "Animal Kingdom" (TNT, 2016- ) and the grindhouse-inspired "Blood Drive" (Syfy, 2017- ). Born in Barcelona, Spain in 1985, Ochoa initially followed in the footsteps of her Nobel Prize-winning biochemist great uncle, Severo Ochoa, studying Oceanographic Engineering, Advanced Marine Biology and Particle Physics at institutions in the Canary Islands, Australia and Madrid respectively. But after discovering a love of acting in her early twenties, Ochoa put her scientific ambitions on hold. Following one-off parts in popular Spanish sitcom "La que se avecina" (Telecinco, 2007-) and TV movie "Contact@me" (2009), Ochoa appeared in her first English-language production, "Stay With Me" (2011), an erotic short film she also co-wrote and co-produced, and guest starred on sitcoms "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" (Fox, 2011-12), "Modern Family" (ABC, 2009- ) and "The Neighbors" (ABC, 2012-14). Ochoa still continued to explore her earlier passion, hosting educational podcast "Know Brainer," various events for the Science for Society and the Public organization and serving as a scientific correspondent on web series "Chaotic Awesome" (2014). She landed her first recurring gig when she was cast as lead Gabriel Luna's strong-willed best friend Karen Morales on the Robert Rodriguez-produced espionage drama "Matador" (El Rey, 2014). A year later she made her film debut with a bit-part in revenge movie "Cats Dancing on Jupiter" (2015) but soon returned to the small screen to play Craig's drug dealer girlfriend Renn Randall in the hit adaptation "Animal Kingdom" (TNT, 2016- ). Ochoa then bagged her first lead role as femme fatale Grace D'Argento in the death race action series "Blood Drive" (Syfy, 2017- ) and signed on to play chopper pilot Nora in the military drama "Valor" (The CW, 2017-).