Émilie Dequenne, the acclaimed Belgian actress known internationally for her role in the BBC drama The Missing, has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, two years after her diagnosis.
She was diagnosed in October 2023 with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal gland. In April 2024, she shared hopeful news with fans that she had gone into remission and was preparing to return to acting, writing about the difficulty of her hospital stays and the strength it took to keep fighting.
Her press representative, Charlotte Tourret, paid tribute on Instagram, sharing a photo of Dequenne from the 76th Cannes Film Festival and writing: “Quelle injustice!! You have been an example to us all, with your extraordinary strength, your courage… You are an inspiring woman, a great soul, a great actress.”
Throughout her celebrated career, Dequenne starred in numerous films, including The Girl on the Train and Our Children, earning critical acclaim for her emotional depth and powerful screen presence.
She is remembered not only for her talent, but for her resilience, warmth, and the light she brought to audiences and colleagues alike.