From Egyptian Ramadan dramas to sharing the screen with Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino, Maya Talem is making some pretty major moves.
The Tunisian-Italian actress has built a career across European, Arab, and international productions, and her latest project, Maserati: The Brothers, might just be her biggest one yet.
But before she joins Hollywood’s A-list, here’s a closer look at the actress whose career spans four languages, two cultures, and quite a few screens.
She Was Born in Tunisia and Raised in Italy
Born on July 20, 1988, Talem moved from Tunisia to Italy at a young age. Growing up between the two cultures helped shape her identity and eventually gave her a unique place in both European and Arab entertainment.
She Speaks Four Languages
Italian, Arabic, French, and English. Talem is fluent in all four, which comes in handy when your acting career takes you across different countries and film industries.
It’s also part of what makes her such a natural fit for international productions.
Her Acting Career Started on Italian Television
Before Egyptian audiences got to know her, Talem was already making a name for herself in Italy.
Her television credits include Non Uccidere (Thou Shalt Not Kill), Un Passo dal Cielo, Il Bello delle Donne, Che Dio Ci Aiuti, and L’Alligatore. She has also appeared in films such as Tutto Molto Bello and Il Gatto e la Luna.
‘Esh Esh’ Wasn’t Her First Egyptian Project
Talem gained wider recognition in Egypt through the 2025 Ramadan series Esh Esh, playing Faten alongside Mai Omar.
However, she had already appeared in Cairo: Kabul, making her Ramadan success less of a debut and more of a well-deserved return to Egyptian screens.
She Starred Alongside Mike Tyson
In 2019, Talem appeared in the Egyptian action film Hamlet Pheroun, starring alongside boxing legend Mike Tyson, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Amr Saad, and Ruby.
Not a bad addition to the filmography, especially for an actress whose career has been moving between local and international productions.
Her Performance in ‘The Goat’ Earned International Recognition
Talem also starred in The Goat, directed by Ilaria Borrelli, alongside Mira Sorvino, John Savage, Amr Saad, Nelly Karim, and Fathy Abdel Wahab.
She played Rabab Saube, the mother of the young protagonist in a film exploring women’s rights, dignity, and violence against women. Her performance received recognition at the Rome Film Festival, and she has also received the Nations Award in Taormina and the Artis Suavitas Civitas Award.
She’s Joining Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino in ‘Maserati: The Brothers’
Now for the big Hollywood moment.
Talem plays Rosa Maserati, wife of Ettore Maserati, in Maserati: The Brothers, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Bobby Moresco and produced by Andrea Iervolino.
The film explores the story of the family behind the iconic Italian car brand, with a cast featuring Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Jessica Alba, Andy Garcia, Michele Morrone, and Salvatore Esposito.
Yes, that’s quite the lineup.
She’s Also Showing Off Her Singing Voice
Talem’s role in Maserati: The Brothers goes beyond acting. She performs a song in Italian and English within the film and also joins Andrea Bocelli and Jennifer Hudson on its official title track.
Written by Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren, the song brings together three languages, with Talem singing in Arabic, Bocelli in Italian, and Hudson in English.
A pretty fitting collaboration for someone whose career has always crossed cultural boundaries.
From Cairo to Hollywood, She’s Just Getting Started
With Italian television, Egyptian Ramadan hits, international films, and now a project featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest names, Maya Talem has built a career that refuses to stay in one lane.
Her journey is a reminder that talent can travel, and with Maserati: The Brothers adding another major credit to her name, we’re likely to be seeing a lot more of her.
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