Natalia Dontcheva’s death has left the French and Bulgarian entertainment industries mourning. The news of her death at the age of 56 came on August 1, 2026 (ET). The actress was best known in the television industry for her recurring role in the French adaptation of Doc Martin as ‘Julie Derville’. Her passing has led tributes from colleagues, friends, and fans to continue pouring in.
Natalia Dontcheva’s death has come as an absolute shock to her fans. The news of her passing was confirmed by her agent, Laurent Savry, who described the actress as “a profoundly talented artist and woman of great sensitivity.” While she enjoyed a wide-ranging career across films, television and theatre, many viewers knew her best from her appearances alongside Thierry Lhermitte. So, as the world mourns the loss, let’s take a look at her cause of death and family life.
Meet Natalia Dontcheva’s partner and family
Natalia Dontcheva shared a long-term relationship with French director, writer, and producer Arnaud Sélignac. Although the couple kept much of their personal life private, they were partners for approximately 25 years. The couple frequently collaborated professionally, with the director casting her in several stage and screen productions.
The actress was also a stepmother to Arnaud Sélignac’s son Hugo Sélignac and shared an extremely close relationship with him. Hugo thanked Natalia Dontecheva for her unwavering support following her death. Reflecting on the love and support, he was quoted as saying:
“I never liked the title ‘stepmother’…but you have no idea what a truly beautiful person I found you to be.”
What happened to Natalia Dontcheva?
While Natalia Dontcheva’s death came as a shock to her fans, the cause of her passing was something she had been living with for the past decade. According to her family, the actress was battling a long-term illness. However, neither her representatives nor relatives publicly disclosed the specific condition.
Nonetheless, Natalia Dontcheva’s stepson Hugo Selignac, in his heartfelt tribute, revealed that she had endured a difficult 10-year period before her death. He described the actress as someone who had fought till the very last. Her agent Laurent Savry also chose not to go into medical detail, saying she remained dedicated to her work throughout her career.
“After a ten-year battle, you are finally going to rest.”
Talking about her career and personal life, Natalia Dontcheva was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on December 31, 1969, into a family that was closely involved in the world of performing arts, as her father, Plamen Donchev, was a Bulgarian actor. Although she initially considered pursuing medicine or international relations, her future changed after she was offered a role in a Bulgarian film through one of her father’s friends.
She moved to France at the age of 20 in 1989, where she trained at a Paris acting conservatory. Throughout the 1990s, Natalia Dontcheva worked mainly on stage before expanding into television and cinema, building a career in drama, comedy and historical productions. While her biggest breakthrough came in 2011 when she joined the French adaptation of Doc Martin as ‘Julie Derville’, she appeared in several other projects that made her a household name.
Beyond Doc Martin, Natalia Dontcheva appeared in numerous French television series and films, including Joséphine, Ange Gardien, Julie Lescaut, Section de recherches, Les Petits Meurtres d’Agatha Christie, Les Rivières pourpres and Les Disparus de la Forêt noire. On the big screen, Dontcheva won over the audience with her performance in Mademoiselle de Joncquières (Lady J) and Sashinka, with the latter earning her a Prix Iris nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
RIP Natalia Dontcheva.
PC: HugoSelignac/IG, StreamTV/YT, TF1
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