Meet Jessie Mei Li, Who Played Alina Starkov in “Shadow and Bone”

Jessie Mei Li (age: 27 years; born on August 27, 1995) is an actor from Brighton, England, who has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with her talent and captivating performances on both the big and small screens.

Li started her journey in the entertainment industry in 2018 with the TV mini-series “Shortflix,” where she showcased her acting prowess and caught viewers’ attention. Li’s versatility as an actress is evident in her diverse roles, including a guest appearance in season 12 of “Locked Up Abroad.”

Her breakout performance, however, came in 2021 when she played the lead role of Alina Starkov in the Netflix series “Shadow and Bone.” Her portrayal of the protagonist, a young soldier with a rare and powerful ability to summon light, earned her critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide.

On March 16, 2023, the makers of “Shadow and Bone” ended the wait of fans who had been waiting for season 2 of their beloved show. If you have not watched it already, check it out on Netflix.

Is that Jessie Mei Li queer?

Are you surprised? But yes, according to the Evening Standard, Mei identifies herself as a queer and takes pride in being one of the LGBTQ+ actors who have earned fame through their talent and skills.

She says that she likes to be gender nonconforming but does not feel offended when someone calls her, saying ‘she’ instead of ‘they.’ Mei is also a climate lover and claims she once spent 6 months practicing nihilism to counter her climate anxiety.

How Old is Jessie Mei Li?

On August 27, 1995, Jessie Mei Li (age 27) was born in Brighton, England, UK, to a Chinese father and an English mother, meaning her upbringing was infused with a rich blend of cultural influences.

Growing up with her older brother, Tom Li, Jessie spent her childhood in Redhill, Surrey, where she attended St. Bede School.

After completing her formal education, Jessie’s passion for languages led her to pursue a degree in Spanish and French at the prestigious University of Sussex.

During this time, Jessie discovered her love for acting, leading her to join the National Youth Theatre, where she honed her craft for a year before moving to the Identity School of Acting.

Jessie Mei Li’s Career Timeline

After spending two years at ISA, Li debuted in the TV business with the mini-series “Shortflix.” It was a Luna Carmoon-directed drama featuring Ruby Stokes, Lily Newmark, Savannah Steyn, and Ambreen Razia.

The same year she also appeared in two short movies, “Together, They Smoke” and “Uri Sade – A Thousand Ringing Bells.”

The following year, Jessie starred alongside Lily James and Gillian Anderson in “All About Eve” and earned a lot of appreciation for her performance. Moving forward, she continued working on various projects, including a few more short movies like “Travelooper” and “Pork Scratchings.”

Finally, in 2020 Mei received her chance to prove her talent after getting picked by Suzanne Smith to play the protagonist Alina Starkov in the series “Shadow and Bone,” which landed on Netflix on April 23, 2021.

Jessie Mei Li Q&A

Ques: What is Jessie Mei Li’s age?

Ans: 27 (in 2022).

Ques: How tall is Jessie Mei Li?

Ans: 5 feet 3¼ inches (1.60m).

Ques: From where is Jessie Mei Li?

Ans: Brighton, England, UK.

Ques: Which college did Jessie Mei Li attend?

Ans: Reigate College.