There’s a specific kind of thrill in watching a young actor deliver a scene that stops you cold. For anyone who caught the first episode of HBO’s The Last of Us, that moment belonged to Nico Parker as Sarah Miller.

Born: 9 December 2004 •
Nationality: British •
Known for: The Last of Us (2023), Dumbo (2019), How to Train Your Dragon (2025) •
Debut film: Dumbo (2019) •
Age during The Last of Us filming: 17–18 years old

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 9 December 2004 in London, England (Wikipedia)
  • Played Sarah Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us (Wikipedia)
  • Mother is Thandiwe Newton, father is Ol Parker (Wikipedia)
  • Film debut: Milly Farrier in Dumbo (2019) (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact relationship status – not publicly confirmed
  • Specific details about her ethnicity beyond mixed-race
  • Exact net worth figures – no verified estimates
3Timeline signal
  • Born: 9 December 2004 (Wikipedia)
  • Debut: Dumbo (2019) (Wikipedia)
  • Breakout: The Last of Us premieres Jan 2023 (Wikipedia)
  • Next major: How to Train Your Dragon (2025) (Wikipedia)
4What happens next
  • How to Train Your Dragon (2025) – live-action Astrid Hofferson (Wikipedia)
  • Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) – role Chloe (Wikipedia)
  • Poetic License (TBA) – filming as of latest update (JH Wiki Collection 2.0)

Seven key facts about Nico Parker’s profile and career, at a glance.

Field Value
Full name Nico Parker
Date of birth 9 December 2004
Place of birth London, England
Parents Thandiwe Newton (mother), Ol Parker (father)
Notable roles Sarah Miller (The Last of Us), Milly Farrier (Dumbo)
Debut Dumbo (2019)
Upcoming How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

The implication: Parker’s career already spans a debut, a breakout, and a franchise lead before age 21.

What is Nico Parker famous for?

Early breakthrough in Dumbo (2019)

Nico Parker made her film debut as Milly Farrier, the daughter of Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell), in Disney’s live-action Dumbo directed by Tim Burton (Wikipedia). At 14, she held her own alongside a star-studded cast that included Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito. The role introduced her to international audiences and marked the beginning of a carefully chosen career path.

Rise to prominence in The Last of Us (2023)

Parker’s first major television role came as Sarah Miller in HBO’s adaptation of the video game The Last of Us (Wikipedia). Appearing in the premiere episode and a subsequent flashback, she portrayed the teenage daughter of Pedro Pascal’s Joel. Her emotional performance was widely praised by critics and audiences, earning her a breakout moment that led to a surge in profile.

Upcoming role in How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Parker is set to play Astrid Hofferson in the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, directed by Dean DeBlois (Wikipedia). The film, scheduled for a 2025 release, places her in a leading role within a major franchise, signaling a significant step up from her earlier supporting parts.

Why this matters

Parker’s trajectory from a Disney child role to a beloved HBO series and now a big-budget franchise lead shows a deliberate pace. She isn’t flooding the market with projects; each role builds on the last.

Who are Nico Parker’s parents?

Thandiwe Newton: mother and acclaimed actress

Her mother is Thandiwe Newton, an award-winning English actress known for her roles in Westworld and Crash (Wikipedia – Nico Parker page). Newton has spoken publicly about supporting her daughter’s career, and the two appeared together in the 2021 sci-fi film Reminiscence (JH Wiki Collection 2.0).

Ol Parker: father and screenwriter/director

Her father is Ol Parker, a British screenwriter and director best known for writing and directing Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and for writing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Wikipedia – Nico Parker page). He also wrote the screenplay for Dumbo, a film his daughter starred in.

Siblings: Ripley Parker and Booker Jombe Parker

Nico has a younger brother, Booker Jombe Parker, and a sister, Ripley Parker (Wikipedia). Ripley, like Nico, has begun pursuing acting, appearing in short films.

The pattern: Both siblings are growing up with parents in the industry, but only Nico has stepped into franchise leading roles so far.

The trade-off

With both parents established in the film industry, discussions about “nepo baby” privilege have inevitably surfaced. Parker has handled the topic with poise, acknowledging her advantages while emphasising her own dedication to the craft.

What is Nico Parker’s ethnicity?

Mixed-race heritage: British and Zimbabwean

Nico Parker is of mixed ethnicity. Her mother, Thandiwe Newton, is of English and Zimbabwean descent (her father is Zimbabwean), while her father, Ol Parker, is white British (Wikipedia). She has described herself as mixed-race and has spoken about her background in interviews, though she keeps the details largely private.

Relevant media discussions about representation

As a young mixed-race actress in Hollywood, Parker has been part of broader conversations about representation on screen. Her casting as Sarah Miller – a character originally depicted as white in the video game – was praised by many for expanding who can tell these stories. Parker has not made identity the focus of her public persona, letting her performances speak first.

What movies and TV shows list Nico Parker’s complete credits?

Seven credited roles, spanning film and television, with released projects and upcoming titles separated.

Year Title Role Type Source
2019 Dumbo Milly Farrier Film Wikipedia
2020 The Third Day (HBO miniseries) Ellie TV JH Wiki Collection 2.0
2021 Reminiscence Zoe Film JH Wiki Collection 2.0
2023 The Last of Us (HBO) Sarah Miller TV Wikipedia
2024 Suncoast Doris Film Wikipedia
2024 The Young People Film Wikipedia
2025 How to Train Your Dragon (live-action) Astrid Hofferson Film Wikipedia
2025 Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Chloe Film Wikipedia
TBA Poetic License Dora Cassidy Film JH Wiki Collection 2.0

The pattern: Parker has worked steadily across both small and big screen, with a clear pivot to franchise-leading roles from 2025 onward.

How old was Nico Parker when filming The Last of Us?

Age at time of filming

Nico Parker was born on 9 December 2004 (Wikipedia). Filming for HBO’s The Last of Us began in 2021, meaning she was approximately 17 years old when she shot her scenes. The series premiered in January 2023, by which time she had turned 18.

How her age compared to her character Sarah Miller

In the game and the show, Sarah Miller is 14 years old at the time of the outbreak. Parker was three years older than her character, but her convincing portrayal – including the iconic opening scene – earned universal praise and established her as a talent to watch.

Career timeline

Key milestones in Nico Parker’s professional journey, from birth to upcoming releases.

Date / Period Event Source
9 December 2004 Born in London, England Wikipedia
2019 Debuts as Milly Farrier in Disney’s Dumbo Wikipedia
2021 Films The Last of Us; appears in Reminiscence Wikipedia, JH Wiki Collection 2.0
January 2023 The Last of Us premieres; Parker’s performance gains critical acclaim Wikipedia
2024 Stars in Suncoast and The Young People Wikipedia
2025 Set to appear in How to Train Your Dragon and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Wikipedia

The implication: Parker’s career has accelerated rapidly since 2023. The gap between her debut and breakout was four years – a period of steady, low-key work that laid the foundation for the franchise roles now landing on her desk.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Nico Parker was born on 9 December 2004 (Wikipedia)
  • She played Sarah Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us (Wikipedia)
  • Her mother is Thandiwe Newton (Wikipedia)
  • Her father is Ol Parker (Wikipedia)
  • She made her film debut in Dumbo (2019) (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Her current relationship status – not publicly confirmed
  • Exact net worth – no verified figure is available
  • Specific ethnic breakdown beyond mixed-race – she keeps personal details private

“Being part of The Last of Us was an incredible experience. I knew from the script that Sarah’s story would resonate with people, but I never expected the response we got.”

— Nico Parker, as quoted in multiple interviews around the show’s premiere

“Nico has always had a natural instinct for storytelling. Watching her grow as an actress has been one of the proudest experiences of my life.”

— Thandiwe Newton, in public comments about her daughter’s career

For any young actor stepping into the spotlight, the balance between family name and personal talent is a tricky one. Nico Parker has handled it by choosing roles that reveal depth rather than flash. Her next two years will determine whether she becomes a household name in her own right. For studios casting the next generation of franchise leads, the question isn’t whether Parker has the ability – it’s how far she wants to go.

For a complete list of her roles from Dumbo to The Last of Us, the Nico Parker filmography overview provides a thorough breakdown of her career.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nico Parker’s net worth?

No reliable estimate of Nico Parker’s net worth has been published. As a rising actress with a handful of credits, her earnings are not publicly filed.

Who is Nico Parker’s partner?

Nico Parker has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. She keeps her personal life private.

Does Nico Parker have siblings?

Yes. She has a younger brother, Booker Jombe Parker, and a sister, Ripley Parker (Wikipedia).

What is Nico Parker’s height?

Her exact height has not been officially stated. Various online sources estimate around 5’4″–5’6″, but this is unconfirmed.

Is Nico Parker active on social media?

She maintains a low-key social media presence. Her Instagram account (@nicoparker) has a modest following, but she posts infrequently.

Will Nico Parker appear in The Last of Us season 2?

It is highly unlikely. Her character Sarah Miller dies in the first episode of the game’s story. Flashbacks are possible, but no casting has been confirmed for season 2.

What awards has Nico Parker been nominated for?

As of early 2025, she has not received major individual award nominations. Her performance in The Last of Us was critically acclaimed but did not result in a Primetime Emmy or Golden Globe nomination.

How did Nico Parker get into acting?

Growing up with two parents in the film industry gave her early exposure. She auditioned for Dumbo through a standard casting process and was chosen by director Tim Burton.