From Journalism to Vertical Dramas: Tetiana Zlova's Unplanned Acting Journey

An unexpected turn led Tetiana Zlova from journalism studies to a thriving acting career. Along the way, she found a creative home in vertical dramas and some of her most memorable roles to date.

Tetiana Zlova never set out to become an actress. Before building a career in television and vertical dramas, she studied journalism and imagined a very different future for herself. But a chance opportunity changed everything.

“Suddenly by accident, I became an actress,” Zlova said in a 2025 interview. What began as an unexpected job gradually became a passion.

Today, the Ukrainian actress is one of the most recognizable faces working across English-language vertical dramas, with credits that span romance, mafia stories, thrillers, and fantasy-inspired series.

Finding Her Place on Screen

Based in Kyiv, Zlova has worked as an actress, presenter, and voice actress. Over the years, she has appeared in a wide range of film and television projects before expanding into vertical dramas.

Earlier credits include titles such as "Stranger," "The Diners," "Early Swallows," "Dramatize Me," and "LoveBuster," and "Taming Mr. Black."

The poster for "Taming Mr. Black" | Source: instagram/taniazlova

In recent years, she has appeared in a steady run of vertical drama titles, including "My World Ends With You," "The Woman Starts the War," "The Mafia Beast Won Me in a Gamble," "Contracted Love," "Hidden Detective Falls for Criminal," "Stuck with the Spoiled Heiress," "Desired by Two: The Vampire and the Hunter," "No Escape from the Mafia King's Embrace," "Love in Oblivion," and "Overdrive to My Heart."

For Zlova, the appeal of vertical dramas comes from the variety they offer.

“It's a breath of fresh air,” she has said, explaining that the format allows her to explore genres and characters she does not often encounter in her regular work.

She has played everything from romantic leads to women caught in dangerous situations, and that creative range is part of what keeps her excited about the work.

A Lifelong Love of Movies

Long before acting became her career, movies were already a major part of her life. Growing up, Zlova spent countless hours watching films and memorizing stories, characters, and dialogue.

Among her early influences were Halle Berry's performance in "Catwoman," along with classic Hollywood icons Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. She also cites films like "Spider-Man" and the original "X-Men" trilogy among her favorites.

Her enthusiasm for cinema remains obvious today. She describes herself as someone who constantly references movies and still finds inspiration in the endless possibilities that acting provides.

From First Vertical to a Breakthrough Year

Although she is now closely associated with vertical dramas, Zlova did not immediately embrace the format.

She initially turned down some opportunities because the style felt unfamiliar. Eventually, she decided to step outside her comfort zone, taking on English-language projects before making the transition into vertical storytelling.

Zlova's English-language acting journey was shaped in part by the shows she loved growing up. A devoted fan of "The Vampire Diaries," she began watching episodes in English before translations were available, a habit that helped her develop an ear for the language long before she started performing in it herself.

The move into English-language and vertical productions proved to be a turning point in her career.

Looking back on 2025, Zlova said the year was defined by work. She spent nearly the entire year on set, working for “11 months straight” while taking on project after project. She described it as a year with almost no vacation, but also one that allowed her to stay on set, meet creative people, and keep making movies.

The busy schedule reflected a growing demand for her work, particularly in vertical dramas. After a slower start in the format, she suddenly found herself filming continuously.

“I'm just living in my dreams,” she said.

The Roles Fans Remember Most

Among her many projects, two roles stand out.

Zlova said Scarlett Hart in "My World Ends With You" remains the role she is most recognized for, noting that fans continue to reach out about the series.

Her personal favorite, however, is Cynthia Collins in "The Woman Starts the War." The mafia romance allowed her to step into a world of family rivalries, danger, and high-stakes emotions—elements she particularly enjoys.

“I'm just waiting for the novel where I can fight a lot,” she said, adding that she would love to play “something like Lara Croft.”

Life Beyond Acting

When she is not working, Zlova enjoys reading, painting, karaoke, traveling, and spending time with friends. Her social media offers glimpses of those interests.

She has also spoken openly about the ongoing war in Ukraine, encouraging people not to forget those affected by the conflict and expressing gratitude to fans who have offered support.

For someone who entered the profession unexpectedly, Zlova has built an impressive and varied career. From journalism student to actress, from Ukrainian television to international vertical dramas, her path may have been unplanned, but it has clearly led her exactly where she was meant to be.