Honestly, the way people talk about child actors is usually pretty predictable. They’re either "the next big thing" or they disappear after one big blockbuster. But Carmel Laniado feels different. You probably recognize her as the poised, slightly demanding Lady Rose from the 2020 film Dolittle, or maybe you saw her as the eerie Violet in The Witcher.
She’s got this weirdly mature energy for someone who basically fell into a massive Universal Pictures project as her first-ever audition. Seriously. Imagine having your first day on a job be opposite Robert Downey Jr. while he’s talking to a CGI polar bear.
The Breakout: Dolittle and the "Lady Rose" Effect
When we look back at Carmel Laniado movies and tv shows, we have to start with the 2020 Dolittle. It was a polarizing movie, sure. Critics weren't exactly kind to the writing, but Laniado held her own.
She played Lady Rose, the lady-in-waiting to a young Queen Victoria. What’s interesting here is that Lady Rose wasn't actually in the original books. Carmel basically had to build that character from scratch. She brought a level of optimism and grit that acted as a bridge between the grumpy, reclusive Doctor Dolittle and the royal court.
She wasn't just there to look pretty in Victorian dresses. She was the catalyst for the entire plot. If Rose hadn't tracked down Dolittle to save the Queen, there wouldn't be a movie. Laniado has talked in interviews about how she stayed up late watching documentaries about the British royal family just to figure out how to stand and walk. That’s a lot of homework for a fifteen-year-old.
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Switching Gears: From Period Drama to Gritty Fantasy
If you thought she was only good at playing posh royals, you probably missed her turn in The Witcher on Netflix. This is where her range actually starts to show.
In Season 2, she joined the cast as Violet. Now, The Witcher is notorious for being dark, muddy, and pretty violent. Laniado played a young girl whose "playful and whimsical" personality was a total front. In reality, the character was much smarter and—let’s be real—way more sadistic than she appeared at first.
- The Contrast: Going from the sunshine of Lady Rose to the "sadistic" undertones of Violet is a massive leap.
- The Lore: Just like in Dolittle, her character in The Witcher was an original creation for the show, meaning fans of the books couldn't predict what she’d do next.
- The Impact: Even though she was only in a few episodes (notably "Kaer Morhen"), she left a mark on Ciri's storyline that fans are still debating in Reddit threads.
A Christmas Carol: The Darker Side of Dickens
Before the big movie deals, Laniado appeared in the BBC/FX miniseries A Christmas Carol (2019). If you haven't seen this version, be warned: it’s not the Muppets version. It’s bleak. It’s gritty. It’s basically a horror story.
She played Young Lottie. While it was a smaller role, it was her first real taste of a professional set. It’s fascinating to see her work with actors like Guy Pearce and Andy Serkis. Most people skip over this when looking at her filmography, but it’s where she learned to handle the "darker" material that eventually helped her land The Witcher.
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What's Next? Crookhaven and the 2026 Slate
So, what is she doing now? If you've been keeping up with BBC casting news, you might have heard about Crookhaven.
Based on the books by J.J. Arcanjo, Crookhaven is basically about a secret school for crooks. Not "bad" crooks, but kids who are taught how to pickpockets and hack systems to do good. It’s sort of like Harry Potter meets Ocean’s Eleven.
Carmel is heavily linked to this production alongside Dougray Scott. It feels like the perfect pivot for her—moving into that "young adult" lead territory where she can lead a series rather than just supporting the big names.
Why Most People Get Her Career Wrong
The common mistake is thinking Carmel Laniado is "just a child actor." Usually, by the time someone reaches her age, they've done a dozen commercials and bit parts. She didn't do any of that.
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She went straight into a $175 million budget movie. That’s insane.
Because she started at the top, her career trajectory is actually moving toward more "prestige" TV and character-driven roles. She isn't chasing the Disney Channel fame. She’s chasing roles with "intentions," as she put it in an interview with Schön! Magazine. She wants to play people who are demanding, ruthless, or complicated.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re following her career or just interested in how these young stars navigate the industry, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Watch the Miniseries: Don't just stick to the movies. Her work in A Christmas Carol shows a lot more nuance than the big-budget stuff.
- Keep an eye on BBC/FX: She seems to have a strong relationship with these networks, which usually means she’s going for high-quality scripts rather than just fame.
- Follow the Adaptations: Most of her roles are based on (or added to) literary adaptations. If a new book-to-screen project is announced, there's a decent chance her name will pop up in the casting rumors.
Carmel Laniado is basically the personification of "quality over quantity." She doesn't have a 50-credit long IMDB page, but the credits she does have are heavy hitters. Whether she's playing a lady-in-waiting or a secret thief, she has a way of making the character feel like they’ve existed long before the camera started rolling.
Keep an eye on the Crookhaven release dates—that’s likely going to be the project that cements her as a household name for the next generation of viewers.