Actress Marisa Abela has given a rare and candid health update, speaking publicly for the first time in detail about her battle with thyroid cancer. The 29-year-old star of the hit BBC series Industry was diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 23.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis and Recovery
Marisa first sought medical advice after experiencing unusual fatigue. During that appointment, her GP discovered a lump on her neck, which led to the shocking diagnosis. The treatment required a major eight-hour operation to remove the tumour, followed by a course of radioactive iodine therapy.
She is now thankfully 'all in the clear' from the cancer, though she will require lifelong medication to replace her thyroid function and must attend regular check-ups. "I don't have a working thyroid so these pills sort of create one," Marisa explained to The Sunday Times. "I'm never going to miss those appointments."
The actress described the profound impact the illness had on her relationship with her body, creating a sense of distrust. "This thing existed inside me for years without me knowing it was there – and that has changed my relationship with my body," she revealed.
Career Fears and a New Perspective
In 2024, Marisa recalled the harrowing moment she first saw her post-surgery body, fearing it had ended her acting career. "When I first went to the bathroom after surgery and I saw myself in the mirror, I thought, 'That's it, my career is over'," she said. "[My neck] was stapled, bloody. It wasn't pretty at all, and the scar is big."
She worried future roles would be limited to characters defined by a neck scar. However, her experience on cancer wards also gave her a powerful new perspective. "When you're on cancer wards, you're seeing things that are so bleak and so sad, and it really does just put everything into perspective," she noted.
A Fairytale Wedding in Sussex
Amidst her health journey, Marisa found happiness with West End actor Jamie Bogyo, 31. The couple, who met while studying at RADA in 2016, tied the knot in September last year at the picturesque 15th-century Firle Place in Sussex.
In a charming anecdote, Marisa admitted she had expected a proposal weeks earlier during a trip to Paris. When Jamie left a dinner claiming illness, she anticipated a romantic hotel room scene. "I got back later, expecting roses and champagne to be everywhere, and instead found Jamie in a ball on the floor being sick!" she laughed. He eventually proposed in July 2024 during a walk on London's Primrose Hill.
Their wedding was a deeply personal affair. Marisa walked down the aisle to the theme from Cinema Paradiso, the film they watched before first saying "I love you." She wore a stunning, Audrey Hepburn-inspired satin gown by Emilia Wickstead, paired with personalised Jimmy Choo heels. After a confetti-filled ceremony, guests celebrated at Soho House Brighton for dinner and dancing.
Marisa Abela's story is one of remarkable resilience, blending a serious health challenge with personal triumph and a celebration of love, offering an inspiring glimpse into the life of the rising star.
