Ester Expósito Gayoso, born on January 26, 2000, in Madrid, Spain, is a Spanish actress who rose to international prominence as a breakout star of the Netflix teen drama series Elite. She is widely celebrated for her captivating performance as Carla Rosón Caleruega, a role she portrayed from 2018 to 2021, which cemented her status as one of Spain's most recognizable young talents. With a career that spans both television and film, Expósito has demonstrated remarkable versatility, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase.
Expósito's interest in acting emerged at a young age, leading her to pursue formal training at a local acting school. She made her television debut in 2016 with a minor role in the Spanish series Vis a Vis, but her first significant break came in 2017 when she was cast in the supernatural drama Estoy vivo. That same year, she landed a supporting role in the film Your Son, a thriller that marked her feature film debut. However, it was her casting in Elite in 2018 that transformed her career. As the manipulative yet complex Carla, Expósito became a fan favorite, and the show's global success on Netflix introduced her to audiences worldwide. Her performance in Elite earned her nominations for the Premios Feroz and the Premios Iris.
Following her rise to fame, Expósito expanded her repertoire with a variety of roles. In 2019, she starred in the crime drama television series La caza. Monteperdido, showcasing her ability to handle darker, more intense material. She then took on a leading role in the 2020 Netflix miniseries Someone Has to Die, a period drama that further demonstrated her range. On the big screen, she starred in the 2022 Spanish horror film Venus, directed by Jaume Balagueró, and appeared in the 2023 thriller Lost in the Night. In 2024, she featured in the horror film The Wailing and took on the lead role in the Netflix action-adventure series Bandidos, which aired from 2024 to 2025. Her filmography continues to grow with the 2025 film The Talent.
Expósito's talent has been recognized by the industry, culminating in a major milestone in 2026 when she received the Golden Nymph Award for Most Promising Talent from the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. This honor underscored her potential as a rising star in international entertainment. Beyond acting, she has become a fashion icon and a prominent figure on social media, where she engages with millions of followers. As of 2025, Expósito remains active in both film and television, with several projects in development, solidifying her place as a leading figure in Spanish cinema and a promising talent on the global stage.