Marta Milans: Biography, Career, Movies & TV Shows

Who Is Marta Milans?

Marta Milans is a Spanish-American actress best known for her movies and TV shows spanning two continents — most notably as Rosa Vasquez, the warm-hearted foster mother in the Warner Bros./DC blockbuster Shazam! (2019) and its sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). Her other standout credits include Devoured (2012), Killer Women (2014), White Lines (2020), The Pier (2019–2020), and Shame (2011) alongside Michael Fassbender — a critically acclaimed Steve McQueen drama that featured mature, boundary-pushing content. As for Marta Milans on Instagram, she is active under @martamilans, where she shares updates on her work, travels, and personal milestones with over 127,000 followers.

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Milans pursued her dream of acting in New York, earning a double degree from NYU before steadily building a career across Hollywood, Spanish television, and international film. Fluent in nearly seven languages, she is one of the most versatile and globally active actresses working today.

Quick Facts — Marta Milans

Early Life & Family

Marta Milans was born on April 19, 1982, in Madrid, Spain, and spent her childhood in the Spanish towns of Madrid and Ibiza. She attended a British school and, later, a German school.

She grew up with a sister, Gadea Pérez-Andújar, and a brother, Sander Pérez-Andújar. Her father is Alfonso Pérez-Andújar and her mother is María Cavestany Milans del Bosch.

Her childhood was marked by an early passion for music — she began playing violin at age three at her grandmother’s encouragement. She was also a competitive tennis player in her youth. These early experiences in discipline and performance shaped the work ethic she would bring to acting.

Education

At 19, Milans began studying theatre and art history at New York University (NYU). She has said that if she did not become an actress, she would have worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Her double major gave her both the performance skills and the cultural literacy to tackle complex, multilayered roles — a combination that has defined her career ever since.

She also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, further sharpening her craft before making her professional debut.

Career Overview

A charismatic and multi-lingual actress, Marta Milans has appeared across all genres in television, film and theater. She started working Off-Broadway in New York City and eventually landed roles in TV shows like Law & Order: SVU.

Her career has unfolded in three distinct phases: early indie and stage work in New York, a breakthrough in American network television, and a dual-market career across Hollywood blockbusters and prestige Spanish television.

Complete Filmography & TV Timeline

Breakthrough: Devoured (2012)

Milans appeared in Devoured, for which she received two Best Actress Awards — at the Molins International Film Festival in Barcelona and the New York Horror Film Festival.

This role put her firmly on the map as an actress capable of carrying a film on her own, and opened doors to bigger productions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Shame (2011) — Mature Content & Critical Acclaim

In film, Milans starred in Steve McQueen’s Shame alongside Michael Fassbender.

Shame is a critically acclaimed drama directed by Steve McQueen that deals with themes of addiction and intimacy in unflinching, adult terms. The film received an NC-17 rating in the United States due to its explicit content, and it earned Fassbender a Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival.

Milans’ appearance in the film — which includes mature, adult scenes consistent with the film’s serious artistic intent — is often searched online. It is important to note this was a serious dramatic work, not exploitative content. The film is widely considered one of the most significant art-house dramas of the 2010s.

Killer Women (2014) — American TV Breakthrough

In October 2013, Milans became one of the leads — playing character Becca Parker — in the TV show Killer Women, which aired in 2014 on ABC. It was produced by Martin Campbell, Disney Studios, Ben Silverman and Sofia Vergara, and also stars Tricia Helfer, Michael Trucco, Marc Blucas and Alex Fernandez.

This was her first series regular role on American network television and introduced her to a mass US audience.

Shazam! (2019) — Rosa Vasquez & the DC Universe

This is the role that made Marta Milans a household name for superhero fans worldwide.

Rosa Vásquez is the foster mother of Billy Batson and the Shazam Family. Billy and the other foster children are cared for by Rosa and her spouse, Victor. Rosa is an endearing and relatable character thanks to Milans’ warmth and authenticity in the part.

She is the emotional core of the movie and a positive maternal figure that helps shape the title character.

Milans has spoken about how personally meaningful the role was to her — she modeled Rosa after her own mother, describing her as the inspiration for the character’s unconditional love and warmth.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) — Returning as Mama Rosa

Milans said that Shazam! Fury of the Gods is the largest production she has ever worked on: “I remember walking through the stages and seeing the huge air fans and the cranes and the light balloons and thinking, ‘Wow, I don’t think it gets any bigger than this.'”

In the sequel, Billy’s foster family is revealed to include Marta Milans and Cooper Andrews as Rosa and Victor Vásquez, the foster parents of Billy and his siblings.

The film also stars Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler as the Daughters of Atlas, alongside the returning ensemble of young heroes. Milans has described the sequel as even more emotionally powerful than the first film, particularly in the scenes where Rosa finally learns her foster children are superheroes.

Spanish Television Career

The Pier / El Embarcadero (2019–2020)

In 2018, Milans starred in Emmy award-winning producer Álex Pina’s Spanish television series The Pier, which aired on HBO in Europe and the Middle East and on Starz in the US.

She played Katia across both seasons of this acclaimed Spanish drama — a pivotal supporting character in a story about grief, love, and identity.

White Lines (2020)

Milans stars in Netflix’s hit original series White Lines, which premiered in May 2020. It hails from internationally acclaimed and Emmy award-winning producer Álex Pina, who also created Money Heist. In the drama, Milans plays the character of “Kika,” who returns to Ibiza after many years away in Miami, quickly becoming embroiled in her dysfunctional family’s drama, and gets sucked back into island life and the misadventures of her teenage friends.

The Minions of Midas (2020)

In 2019, she starred in the Netflix Spain series The Minions of Midas, directed by Academy Award winner Mateo Gil.

Awards & Recognition

Personal Life

Marriage

Milans married her husband Jamie Munro in 2022. The couple are known to keep their relationship largely private.

Fertility Journey

Milans told People magazine that she was considering going through IVF after losing an ectopic pregnancy, saying: “I am not going to lie. It hasn’t been easy. I got married last year and was very excited about trying to get pregnant right away. Sadly, by the time I was able to try and I did have a pregnancy, sadly it was an ectopic pregnancy.”

She has since become a public advocate for open conversations around IVF and fertility challenges, speaking candidly about her experience to help reduce stigma.

Daughter

In November 2024, Milans shared via social media that she had given birth to her first child, a daughter.

American Citizenship

On 13 March 2020, Milans announced that she had become an American citizen. She holds dual nationality — Spanish and American.

Where She Lives

Milans spends her time across Spain, New York, and Los Angeles.

Beyond Acting: Business & Philanthropy

Santa Gadea Organic Goat Cheese

In 2003, her family founded a goat farm and creamery called Santa Gadea in the northern Province of Burgos, which they run to this day. Milans herself became vice president of the company.

She has worked to bring the family’s organic goat cheese to American supermarkets, including a launch at Whole Foods.

Art of Elysium

Milans is actively involved with Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing art to sick and developmentally challenged children both in Los Angeles and New York City.

Languages

Marta Milans speaks nearly seven languages — Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and is working on Russian. This multilingual ability has allowed her to work seamlessly in both American and European productions throughout her career.

Social Media

She uses Instagram primarily to share updates on her professional work, personal travels, and advocacy efforts, including her openness about her fertility journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Marta Milans’ most notable movies and TV shows? Her most notable credits include Shazam! (2019), Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), Shame (2011), Devoured (2012), Killer Women (2014, ABC), White Lines (2020, Netflix), The Pier (2019–2020), and The Minions of Midas (2020, Netflix).

What is Marta Milans’ role in Shazam? She plays Rosa Vasquez, the loving foster mother of Billy Batson and the entire Shazam family. She appeared in both Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), and is widely regarded as the emotional heart of both films.

What is the context of Marta Milans’ appearance in Shame? Shame (2011) is a serious, award-winning art-house drama directed by Steve McQueen, starring Michael Fassbender. The film deals with addiction and intimacy in explicit, mature terms and carries an NC-17 rating. Milans appeared in the film in a supporting role. Online searches for “Marta Milans nude” typically relate to this film — it is a critically acclaimed work of cinema, not exploitative content.

Who is Marta Milans married to? She is married to Jamie Munro, whom she wed in 2022. In November 2024, she announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.

Where is Marta Milans from? She was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, and later became an American citizen on March 13, 2020. She holds dual Spanish-American nationality.

What languages does Marta Milans speak? She is fluent in approximately seven languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and is learning Russian.

What is Marta Milans’ Instagram? Her official Instagram handle is @martamilans, with approximately 127,000 followers.

What is Marta Milans’ educational background? She graduated from New York University (NYU) with a double major in Acting and Art History. She also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.