Hey there, hi there, I’m Lydia-Renee Darling.

You can call me Lyd.

I’m an actor and development producer committed to social impact. I’m originally from Madison, WI and grew up in a vibrant community full of culture, art, and of course… cheese curds.

I was raised by my German-American mom with the help of my Puerto Rican hermana, supportive neighbors who were much like grandparents, and a babysitter who became a second mom before she passed.

My culture and values are reflected in all of my projects: family is more than blood, community is essential, belonging is elusive, and bliss is being who you are. My blended background made me who I am today: a creative who believes no person should be reduced to a single box on a form.

As a multiracial and multinational creative, my goal is to showcase marginalized communities on stage and screen. My passion for acting and producing is rooted in my desire to create work that fosters inclusivity in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

I completed high school with a 4.0 as valedictorian and was accepted into Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts, one of the most competitive and respected B.F.A performance programs in the United States. I earned my degree with departmental honors in May 2020.

During the pandemic, I produced and acted in projects ranging from a short film created over Zoom to a one-woman comedy webseries while working alongside amazing colleagues at Second City. I also trained with The Barrow Group in Screen Acting while preparing for my next international move to the UK to pursue my master’s degree.

In the fall of 2022, I earned my MA with Merit from the world-famous Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Since my move to London, I’ve become part of Equity UK alongside my US EMC status.

If you couldn’t tell, I have a bit of an obsession with pink. In my free time, I can be found sipping on matcha lattes and crafting while binging anime or historical documentaries in the background. I also run a production company and DEI advocacy brand, Oh! (My Gosh) Creative Co.

In the pre-COVID days, I put my love for language and culture to good use by traveling frequently. I attended Concordia University’s Japanese lingo-cultural summer programs before interning in Tokyo. I also studied at Webster Vienna Private University and traipsed across Spain, Switzerland, France and Korea.

Since the severity of the pandemic waned, I transitioned to splitting time between London and the US, where I indulge my appetite for bookstores, travel and cute cafes.

To connect with me, scroll down to the contact form or email contact (@) lydiareneedarling.com.

For UK acting bookings, please contact Isles Management at 07793 022170 or info@islesmanagement.com.