“Part of what I loved about exploring Lee Israel was she was a woman who was often overlooked and judged. And it was fun to find all the ways that I could sympathise and feel as though I was like her.”

American actress, director, and screenwriter

Marielle Stiles Heller is an American actress, director, and screenwriter. She is best known for her work in film and television, especially for directing The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and for appearing in The Queen's Gambit. Heller's work as a filmmaker has brought her attention for stories that balance humor, character, and emotional precision. As an actor, she has also appeared on screen, adding another dimension to a career that spans both performance and storytelling.