A philosophy graduate, Maria Chiara Giannetta studied acting at the Experimental Centre of Cinematography in Rome.
Her television debut came in 2014, in the TV series “Don Matteo”, where she initially played a supporting role. But four years later, in the same series, she was cast in the role of Captain Anna Olivieri, a part entrusted to a woman for the first time. At the same time, from 2016 to 2018, she joined the cast of the TV series “Baciato dal sole” and, on the big screen, she appeared in Marco Danieli’s film “La ragazza del mondo” alongside actor Michele Riondino, in the horror film “Tafanos”, in which she played the role of Christine, and in “Ricordi?” directed by Valerio Mieli (2018). During the same period, she also made a name for herself in two other TV dramas: “Un passo dal cielo” and “Che Dio di aiuti”. In 2019, Maria Chiara starred in the films “Mollami”, directed by Matteo Gentiloni, and “Bentornato Presidente” by G. Fontana and G. Stasi, alongside Claudio Bisio.
In 2021, she returned to television with two projects: “Buongiorno, mamma” as the female lead, alongside Raul Bova, broadcast on Canale 5, and for the first time as the sole lead in “Blanca”, directed by Jan Maria Michelini. The highly successful series is based on the novels by Patrizia Rinaldi and sees her in the role of a young blind woman who becomes a police consultant. For this performance, Maria Chiara Giannetta was awarded the Nastro d’Argento for Best Leading Actress, and the series went on to win the C21 International Drama Awards as one of the most innovative productions globally and for Best Dramedy, as well as the Nastro d’Argento for Best Series, the Biagio Agnes Award and the TV Talk Award.
“Blanca” premiered at the 78th Venice Film Festival and achieved record viewing figures, both on Rai Uno and subsequently on Netflix. In 2022, Maria Chiara Giannetta was among the co-hosts alongside Amadeus at the Sanremo Festival during the evening dedicated to cover versions. Also in 2022, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Series at the Cinearti International Award “La Chioma di Berenice” and won the “Afrodite” Award for Women in Audiovisual Media 2022. Tv Sorrisi dedicated a cover to her and presented her with the Telegatto award for Breakthrough Artist and Personality of the Year 2022. In July 2023, the actress received the Giffoni Award, appearing on the third day of the 52nd edition of the Festival. In 2023, the second season of BLANCA reaffirmed its huge success. In December 2023, she appears in cinemas in “Santocielo”, the new Christmas comedy by Ficarra and Picone, directed by Francesco Amato, in which Maria Chiara Giannetta plays the role of Sister Luisa.
In 2024, she is on set for two feature films as a co-star: “Muori di lei”, in which she stars alongside Riccardo Scamarcio, directed by Stefano Sardo and due for release in March 2025, and Giampaolo Morelli’s new comedy, “L’amore e altre seghe mentali”, released in cinemas in October. She is also part of the international cast of “Costiera”, a new series produced by Amazon MGM STUDIOS and Lux, directed by Adam Bernstein and filmed in English, and features in the cast of “Follemente”, Paolo Genovese’s new film due for release on 20 February 2025, and returns with the TV series “Blanca”. Also in 2025, he stars in “Noi un po’ meglio”, a film for Netflix with Elio Germano, and the film “La sindrome degli amori” by Chiara Malta, alongside Maurizio Lastrico, and hosts his first podcast, “Voci Italiane Contemporanee”, produced with Mubi and Chora Media. In 2026, he is on set for “La Valanga”, about the Rigopiano tragedy, coming soon to Netflix, and on Sky with the Sky Original series “Rosa Elettrica”.