Miya Cech
Miya Cech is a rising star in Hollywood, captivating audiences with her versatile performances from a young age. Born in Tokyo and raised in California, her journey from child model to acclaimed actress highlights a remarkable talent. She's quickly becoming a familiar face on screens big and small, with exciting roles that hint at a brilliant future. Miya Cech began her career as a child model before making a celebrated transition to acting. She is known for her compelling performances in both critically praised indie films and popular streaming series. Cech has consistently received commendation for her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters, even in challenging roles.
AI Summary
Miya Cech is a rising star in Hollywood, captivating audiences with her versatile performances from a young age. Born in Tokyo and raised in California, her journey from child model to acclaimed actress highlights a remarkable talent. She's quickly becoming a familiar face on screens big and small, with exciting roles that hint at a brilliant future.
- Miya Cech began her career as a child model before making a celebrated transition to acting.
- She is known for her compelling performances in both critically praised indie films and popular streaming series.
- Cech has consistently received commendation for her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters, even in challenging roles.
Miya Cech: A Rising Star
Miya Cech—born Miyako Cech on March 4, 2007—is an American actress who has quickly become a prominent young talent in Hollywood. With a striking presence and a knack for memorable performances, she's captured the attention of audiences and critics alike.
A Global Beginning
Miya was born in Tokyo, Japan, and adopted at just five weeks old, then raised in Davis, Northern California. She is one of four children adopted from Japan and Kazakhstan, reflecting a truly global family background. Her heritage is both Chinese and Japanese.
Stepping into the Spotlight
Before gracing the silver screen, Miya began her career as a child model, working with major brands like Gap, Ralph Lauren, and Skechers. This early exposure to cameras and sets likely honed her comfort and poise, paving the way for her acting debut.
Her acting journey officially began in 2015 with a guest role on CBS's 'Hawaii Five-0,' portraying a younger version of Grace Park's character. Subsequent appearances in popular shows like 'American Horror Story' and 'American Housewife' showcased her early versatility.
Breaking into Film
In 2018, Miya made her big-screen debut in 'The Darkest Minds,' playing Zu, a mute girl with unique powers. While the film itself received mixed reviews, critics singled out Cech's performance, with Deadline Hollywood noting she did 'what she can with nothing.'
The following year, Miya starred in the Netflix sci-fi adventure 'Rim of the World' as ZhenZhen. Again, despite the film's lukewarm reception, her portrayal earned high praise, with Decider highlighting her 'quiet, confident swagger' and calling her 'funnier' than her co-stars.
Also in 2019, Cech took on the role of a pre-teen Sasha Tran in the hit Netflix rom-com 'Always Be My Maybe,' a role Variety magazine considers her most well-known. Her charming portrayal added a special touch to the film's flashback sequences.
Later that year, she delved into the spooky world of Nickelodeon's 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' revival, playing Akiko Yamato. The critically acclaimed series saw Cech hailed as its 'sleeper star' by Decider, proving her knack for standout performances.
Expanding Horizons
From 2020 to 2021, Cech led the Nickelodeon drama 'The Astronauts' to critical acclaim, with Common Sense Media praising the entire young cast. Her talent further shone in 'Marvelous and the Black Hole,' which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where her 'angst of teendom' was lauded by IndieWire.
Miya was then cast in a lead role for the Apple TV+ series 'Surfside Girls' in December 2021, playing Jade, a character determined to find scientific explanations for ghosts. This unique role further demonstrates her willingness to explore diverse and intriguing projects.
Stepping into a Beloved Universe
A highly anticipated announcement confirmed Miya Cech will embody the iconic character of Toph Beifong in Netflix's live-action 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' series for seasons 2 and 3. This role places her squarely in one of the most beloved animated universes, exciting fans worldwide.
A Portfolio of Diverse Roles
Film
Year Title Role 2018 The Darkest Minds Suzume "Zu" Kimura 2019 Rim of the World ZhenZhen 2019 Always Be My Maybe 12-year-old Sasha 2021 Marvelous and the Black Hole Sammy 2022 Dealing with Dad Young Margaret 2023 A Great Divide Ellie Licht 2023 American Girl: Corinne Tan Corinne Tan 2023 You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah Kym Chang Cohen 2025 Marshmallow May
Television
Year Title Role 2015 Hawaii Five-0 Young Kono Kalakaua 2016 American Horror Story Amy Chen 2017–2019 American Housewife Marigold 2019 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Akiko Yamato 2020–2021 The Astronauts Samantha "Samy" Sawyer-Wei 2022 Surfside Girls Jade 2022–2023 The Santa Clauses Doc Martin 2023 Young Rock Bad Cindy 2023 Beef Teenage Amy Lau 2026– Avatar: The Last Airbender Toph Beifong
Article
Miya Cech
Miyako Cech (born March 4, 2007), known professionally as Miya Cech, is an American actress. She made her film debut in The Darkest Minds (2018). She then starred in Rim of the World (2019), the second revival of Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019), The Astronauts (2020–21) and Marvelous and the Black Hole (2021).
Cech has also been revealed to be portraying Toph Beifong in the Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024-present), adapted from the critically acclaimed animated series of the same name.
Early life
Miya Cech
Cech, who is of Chinese and Japanese descent, was born on March 4, 2007, in Tokyo. She was adopted at five weeks old and raised in Davis, Northern California. She is the third of four children adopted from Japan and Kazakhstan.
Career
Miya Cech
Cech began her career as a child model, landing gigs with Gap, Ralph Lauren, Skechers, and Gymboree. She made her acting debut in a 2015 episode of the CBS police procedural Hawaii Five-0 as a young version of Grace Park's character. This was followed by further guest roles in American Horror Story and American Housewife in 2016 and 2017 respectively. In 2018, Cech made her film debut in The Darkest Minds as Zu, a mute girl who can manipulate electricity. The film received generally negative reviews, but her performance received praise. Deadline Hollywood said "Cech do[es] what [she] can with nothing", while IndieWire considered her a standout.
The following year, Cech starred in the Netflix film Rim of the World as ZhenZhen. Released on May 24, 2019, the film was negatively received by critics; Cech's performance received commendation, however. John Serba of Decider said, "Cech is my favorite, carrying the character in her sideways glances and quiet, confident swagger[.] ... She's funnier [than the males], too." Later that month, she portrayed a pre-teen version of the protagonist Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) in the Netflix film Always Be My Maybe. According to Variety, this is Cech's most well-known film role. Later that year, she starred as Akiko Yamato in the second revival of Nickelodeon's Are You Afraid of the Dark?. The series was critically acclaimed; Decider called Cech the "[s]leeper [s]tar" of the show.
From 2020 to 2021, Cech starred in the Nickelodeon drama series The Astronauts. Common Sense Media praised the child actors, calling them wonderful. Cech played a lead role of Sammy in Marvelous and the Black Hole, which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Critics acclaimed her performance. IndieWire stated, "[the film is] grounded by... Cech, who effectively channels the angst of teendom into an offbeat tale... [and] does solid work in immersing us in Sammy's frustration and sadness, even if the script doesn't always give her the best lines to punch with." In December 2021, she was announced to have been cast in a lead role alongside YaYa Gosselin in Apple TV+ series Surfside Girls. She will portray Jade, who seeks to "find a scientific explanation for the existence of ghosts".
On September 19, 2024, it was announced that she would play Toph Beifong in the Netflix live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series.
Filmography
Film
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2018</td><td>The Darkest Minds</td><td>Suzume "Zu" Kimura</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Rim of the World</td><td>ZhenZhen</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Always Be My Maybe</td><td>12-year-old Sasha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Marvelous and the Black Hole</td><td>Sammy</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Dealing with Dad</td><td>Young Margaret</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>A Great Divide</td><td>Ellie Licht</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>American Girl: Corinne Tan</td><td>Corinne Tan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah</td><td>Kym Chang Cohen</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Marshmallow</td><td>May</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Television
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2015</td><td>Hawaii Five-0</td><td>Young Kono Kalakaua</td><td>Episode: "Mo'o 'olelo Pu"</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>The Thundermans</td><td>Ice Cream Kid</td><td>Episode: "Why You Buggin'?"</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Hand of God</td><td>Little Girl</td><td>Episode: "Contemplating the Body"</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>American Horror Story</td><td>Amy Chen</td><td>Episode: "Chapter 4"</td></tr><tr><td>2017–2019</td><td>American Housewife</td><td>Marigold</td><td>3 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Arrow</td><td>Young Emiko Queen</td><td>Episode: "Inheritance"</td></tr><tr><td>Are You Afraid of the Dark?</td><td>Akiko Yamato</td><td>Main role; 3 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2020–2021</td><td>The Astronauts</td><td>Samantha "Samy" Sawyer-Wei</td><td>Main role; 9 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Surfside Girls</td><td>Jade</td><td>Lead role; 10 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2022–2023</td><td>The Santa Clauses</td><td>Doc Martin</td><td>3 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>Young Rock</td><td>Bad Cindy</td><td>2 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>Beef</td><td>Teenage Amy Lau</td><td>Episode: "The Drama of Original Choice"</td></tr><tr><td>2026–</td><td>Avatar: The Last Airbender</td><td>Toph Beifong</td><td>Main role; season 2-3</td></tr></tbody></table>