I had the honor to interview Martha Argyriou. With her inspiring career, she opened up about her journey as an actress her artistic quirks and the lessons along the way. She is the kind of actress whose energy fills a room before she even says a word. Trust me you’ll want to read the full interview to catch all the gems and her refreshing honest take.
Martha, for readers discovering you for the first time, how would you describe your journey so far and what moments or experiences have most defined who you are today as an actress?
My journey as an actress has been shaped by movement—between countries, cultures, languages, and emotional worlds. I grew up in Greece, trained in the UK, and built my career in the US, and each place has added a different layer to who I am both as a person and as an artist. Greece gave me emotional instinct and passion; the UK gave me discipline, structure, and respect for craft; and New York gave me courage, risk-taking, and the belief that my individuality has a place in this industry.
Some of the most defining moments of my journey have been the ones where I felt exposed and yet more connected than ever. I’m drawn to telling hard stories with humor—not because the subjects are light, but because humor often carries truth in a way that feels safe. There’s a private, almost sacred moment that happens when an audience member sees something in a character they’ve never dared to express themselves. That feeling of being seen in secret, without having to explain anything—that’s why I do this. That’s the impact I hope to make.
Living between cultures has also shaped me deeply. It’s made me curious about the in- between spaces: the tension between who we are and who we’re expected to be, the push and pull of identity, the complexity of family dynamics—father–daughter, mother–daughter, sisterhood, friendships, queer relationships, found family. These themes show up again and again in the roles I choose and the stories I’m drawn to.
Becoming a working actress in New York has been another defining chapter. This city demands everything from you, but it also gives you the chance to discover who you are artistically.
You’ve lived and trained in multiple countries, Greece, the UK, and the US. How have these different cultures and experiences shaped you as an actress, and how do they influence the kind of roles or stories you’re drawn to?
Living and training in Greece, the UK, and the US has shaped me profoundly—both as an actress and as a human being. Each place has its own rhythm, its own style of expression, and its own relationship to truth in storytelling, and being immersed in these different cultures has broadened the way I see character, conflict, humor, and emotion.
Growing up in Greece, I was surrounded by a culture that is deeply expressive and unapologetically emotional. Greek storytelling is bold, raw, and honest, and it taught me never to fear big feelings or the beautiful messiness of human relationships. It gave me instinct, passion, and a love for emotional truth.
Training in the UK gave me structure, discipline, and a deep appreciation for text and technique. British acting culture values precision and nuance, and it taught me how to analyze, how to sit in subtext, and how to let stillness speak when words don’t.
In the US—especially here in New York—acting became a lived, daily practice. The American industry pushed me to take risks, to embrace vulnerability, and to trust that my individuality has value. It’s also where I’ve grown into being a working actress in NYC, navigating the pace, grit, and ambition of this city while continuing to sharpen my craft.
I’m also very active in the Greek American theater community here in New York, which has been incredibly meaningful to me. It allows me to stay connected to my roots, collaborate with artists who share a cultural language, and bring Greek stories and voices to an American audience.
Because of all these influences, I’m drawn to roles that live at the intersection of cultures, identities, and emotional truths. I’m fascinated by characters who feel in-between—between countries, families, expectations, or versions of themselves. I’m pulled toward stories about belonging, displacement, complex relationships, and the ways humor and pain often exist side by side.
Ultimately, living between worlds taught me that there is no single way to be human—and that universality is what I try to bring into every character I play.
Many actors talk about the ‘why’ behind their craft. What is the deeper purpose or drive that keeps you committed to acting, even though the uncertainty and rejection the industry brings?
My “why” for acting comes from a very personal place. I’ve always believed that seeing someone else speak a truth you’re afraid to say out loud can be incredibly healing. There’s something powerful about watching a character express feelings or experiences that you’ve kept buried—suddenly, you feel seen, understood, and less alone, even if you never say a word about it to anyone. That private, intimate moment between the storyteller and the audience is what keeps me committed to this craft.
Acting allows me to offer that experience to others. Even when I’m exposing something vulnerable or raw in myself, someone out there might recognize their own truth in it. They feel seen in secret—no explanation, no conversation, just a quiet understanding. That’s what I love most about acting. It creates connection without demanding anything in return. It gives people permission to acknowledge things they may not feel strong enough to say themselves.
That silent impact—those unseen, unspoken moments of recognition—is what keeps me going, despite the uncertainty and rejection this career comes with. If my work can give even one person that feeling of being understood, then all the challenges are worth it.
Looking ahead, what kind of stories do you feel compelled to tell? Either as an actress or director, that you believe the world needs more of right now?
What drives my work is the opportunity to dive into complicated, emotionally rich stories in a way that still feels accessible and deeply human. I’m especially drawn to telling hard stories through a tone of humor. I’ve always believed that humor is rooted in truth—sometimes it’s the only way we can really face something painful, understand it, or even accept it. Using humor as a lens allows me to bring vulnerability and honesty to my characters while creating space for audiences to breathe, connect, and reflect.
I’m endlessly fascinated by complex relationships—the ones that shape us, challenge us, and sometimes break us before they rebuild us. Father–daughter dynamics, mother–daughter relationships, and sisterhood continue to be central themes in my work. But I’m also drawn to
the intricacies of friendships, found families, romantic relationships that are imperfect or transformative, queer identity and connection, generational trauma, cultural expectations, and the quiet tension between who we are and who we’re supposed to be. These relationships are full of unspoken truths and emotional layers, and exploring them is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.
Finally, where can our readers follow your upcoming projects, and what should we keep an eye out for next?
I’m also excited to be starring in two productions this January. The first is Ice Cream for Breakfast, a show that dives into the wild world of modern online dating—its vanity, absurdity, sadness, and the humor that often helps us survive it. It’s painfully relatable, funny, and a sharp reflection of the times we’re living in. The second is Sexy Sadie, where I’m portraying a queer character, a role that allows me to explore identity, intimacy, vulnerability, and the complexities of queer relationships with depth and authenticity.
