Yael Grobglas

Biography

Yael Grobglas (Hebrew: יעל גרובגלס‎) is an Israeli actress, best known for her roles as Petra Solano and her twin sister Anezka on the CW television series Jane the Virgin.

Her first major role was in three seasons of the Israeli sci-fi TV series Ha’i (English: The Island, 2007–09), which established her popularity among Israel’s teenage audiences. She gained recognition for her debut film role in the first Israeli horror film Rabies (Hebrew: כלבת‎, translit. Kalevet, 2010), which participated in the Tribeca Film Festival, and a number of other venues internationally. Through 2010–11 Grobglas performed a number of lead and supporting roles in prime time Israeli television shows, including in the sitcom Ha-Shualim (English: The Foxes 2010), Ramzor (English: Traffic Light, Hebrew: רמזור), and Hatzuya (2011) (English: Split, Hebrew: חצויה). Grobglas is also known for her role as “The Girl” in the interactive video of We the Kings “Say You Like Me,” and as Gabi in the popular Israeli series Tanuhi (Hebrew: תנוחי, English: Relax, 2012).

It was announced on 22 February 2013 that the actress was cast in the lead role of “America Singer” in The CW’s second pilot for The Selection, though that was ultimately not picked up as a television series. That same year, Grobglas was cast for The CW’s’s Reign as Olivia, an Italian born noblewoman who is an old flame of Prince Francis (Toby Regbo).

Since 2006, Grobglas has been in a relationship with Israeli businessman Artem Kroupenev, her high school sweetheart.