Actress Natalia Dontcheva Dies at 56 After Long Illness

French-Bulgarian actress Natalia Dontcheva, a familiar face on French television best known for her role in the adaptation of the series "Doc Martin," has died at age 56 after a long illness. Her death was confirmed on Saturday, August 1, 2026, by her agent, Laurent Savry.

Dontcheva’s passing prompted an emotional tribute from her stepson, film producer Hugo Sélignac, who described a decade-long health battle in a social media post. He wrote that after a ten-year fight, she was finally able to rest and thanked her for nurturing their family bond and for her 25-year relationship with his father, director Arnaud Sélignac. Savry issued a statement calling Dontcheva a profoundly talented artist whose performances were marked by elegance, sensitivity, and dedication.

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on December 31, 1969, Dontcheva was the daughter of Bulgarian actor Plamen Dontchev. She trained at Bulgaria's National Conservatory before moving to France in 1989, where she continued her studies in Paris. Her career began on stage before she established herself on screen over a span of more than 30 years.

Dontcheva’s most prominent role was as Julie Derville, the romantic partner of the title...