You probably recognize her face, even if the name takes a second to register. Maybe it’s the icy stare. Or that specific way she carries herself like she owns every room she walks into—even when she’s playing a bloodthirsty vampire from the 1800s. Honestly, Mariana Klaveno has built a career out of being the most interesting person on screen, usually by being the most dangerous.
From the mossy, humid heat of Bon Temps in True Blood to the polished, deceitful mansions of Beverly Hills in Devious Maids, she’s carved out a niche that few actresses can touch. She doesn't just play "the bad guy." She plays the complicated, tragic, and often hilarious antagonist.
The Breakout: Lorena Krasiki and the True Blood Phenomenon
Let's be real. If you’re looking up Mariana Klaveno movies and tv shows, you’re almost certainly thinking of Lorena.
Lorena Krasiki was a game-changer for the HBO series. As the "maker" of Bill Compton, she wasn't just some jilted ex; she was a centuries-old predator who didn't understand the word "no." Klaveno brought a weird, haunting vulnerability to a character that, on paper, was just a monster.
You remember the scene. Everyone does. The one where Bill twists her head 180 degrees while they’re… well, you know. It won a Spike Scream Award for "Holy Shit Scene of the Year," and frankly, it deserved it. That moment basically summarized her tenure on the show: beautiful, grotesque, and impossible to look away from. She wasn't just a guest star; she was the shadow hanging over the show's central romance for years.
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From Vampires to Devious Maids
After the fangs came the designer dresses. In Devious Maids, Klaveno took a hard turn into comedy-drama as Peri Westmore. Peri was a nightmare. She was a self-absorbed movie star who treated her husband and her staff like disposable accessories.
But here’s the thing: Klaveno made her funny.
There is a specific skill in playing a "vain adulteress" (as some wikis literally categorize the character) and still making the audience want to see what she does next. She played Peri for the first season as a series regular, and even after she moved to guest status, her presence felt massive. The show dealt with some heavy themes—rape, classism, deportation—and Klaveno’s character was often at the center of the mess.
A Quick Detour: The Munsters Remake That Wasn't
Not many people know this, but Mariana was actually cast as Lily Munster in Bryan Fuller's Mockingbird Lane (the high-budget Munsters reboot). She actually had to pass on it because she was under contract for Devious Maids. It’s one of those "what if" moments in Hollywood. Portia de Rossi ended up taking the role, but seeing Klaveno’s take on a classic gothic icon would have been something else.
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The "Good" Side: Stalker and Beyond
Eventually, she got to put down the villain mantle—sort of. In the CBS crime drama Stalker, she played Detective Janice Lawrence.
Working alongside Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott, Klaveno got to show a different gear. Janice was the bridge. She brought the sociology and psychology background to the LAPD’s Threat Assessment Unit. It was a darker, grittier procedural, and while critics weren't always kind, the fans loved the chemistry of that cast. It only lasted a season, but it proved she could carry a badge just as well as a dagger.
A Career Built on Range
If you look at the full list of her work, it’s surprisingly dense. She didn't just fall into big roles; she paid her dues.
- Early Guest Spots: She was the "Young Woman" in Alias (thanks to a chance meeting with J.J. Abrams while she was hostessing at Morton’s).
- Procedural Royalty: You’ve probably spotted her in ER, Hawaii Five-0, and a particularly creepy two-episode arc on Dexter as Carissa Porter.
- Recent Hits: Most recently, she’s been playing Lara Lor-Van (Superman’s Kryptonian mom) in Superman & Lois. Going from a sadistic vampire to the mother of the Man of Steel is some serious range.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her
People think she only does "mean." That’s the trap.
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In her real life, she’s a farm girl from Washington State who grew up driving a truck named "The Silver Bullet" and loves baking. She’s gone on record saying she’s actually drawn to "duplicitous" characters because they have more layers to peel back. She doesn't see Lorena or Peri as evil—she sees them as people who are desperately, albeit destructively, looking for love or validation.
Where to Start if You're New to Her Work
If you’re diving into her filmography for the first time, don't just stick to the hits.
- True Blood (Seasons 2-3): Essential viewing. This is the peak "Vampire Vixen" era.
- Devious Maids (Season 1): If you want to see her nail a comedic, "mean girl" archetype.
- While the Children Sleep (The Sitter): This is a 2007 Lifetime movie where she plays a psychotic nanny. It's campy, it’s tense, and it’s pure Klaveno.
- Superman & Lois: For a more regal, subdued performance that shows how she’s matured as an actress.
She’s one of those actors who makes the projects around her better just by showing up. Whether she’s a detective or a demon, you know the performance is going to be sharp.
If you want to keep up with what she's doing now, your best bet is to check out her recent episodes of Superman & Lois or track down the indie film West of Redemption, where she gives a really grounded, gritty performance that’s a far cry from the glitz of her TV roles.