There are actors who quietly build a career, and then there are those who land a role that changes everything. Amber Midthunder did exactly that with Prey, the 2022 Predator prequel that turned her into a household name and made history with its Native American lead. This article unpacks her background, her breakout, and the projects that are shaping her next chapter.
Born: April 26, 1997 ·
Age: 27 (as of 2024) ·
Ethnicity: Nakoda/Lakota/Dakota and Thai ·
Known for: Prey (2022), Legion, Roswell, New Mexico ·
Net worth: Not publicly disclosed
Quick snapshot
- Born April 26, 1997, in Shiprock, New Mexico (Wikipedia biography)
- Native American of Nakoda/Lakota/Dakota descent and Thai descent (Yahoo / In The Know interview)
- Lead role as Naru in Prey (2022) (Italian Wikipedia filmography)
- Net worth is not publicly disclosed — no verified figures exist (Bored Panda biography)
- Height is not officially confirmed by reliable sources (Bored Panda biography)
- Relationship status is private and unconfirmed (Bored Panda biography)
- 2022: Breakout lead in Prey on Hulu (Italian Wikipedia release date)
- 2023: Guest role in Reservation Dogs (Italian Wikipedia release date)
- 2024: Filming Novocaine and Centurion: The Dancing Stallion (Italian Wikipedia release date)
- Action comedy Novocaine with Jack Quaid (Apple TV biography)
- Drama Centurion: The Dancing Stallion (Apple TV biography)
- Unannounced Prey sequel or franchise continuation rumored (Apple TV biography)
The table below compiles Midthunder’s core biographical details from verified sources.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Amber Midthunder |
| Date of birth | April 26, 1997 |
| Place of birth | Shiprock, New Mexico, USA |
| Ethnicity | Nakoda/Lakota/Dakota and Thai |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Notable works | Prey, Legion, Roswell, New Mexico |
Is Amber Midthunder an Indian?
Short answer: No. Amber Midthunder is not Indian (from India) or Chinese — she is a Native American actress of Nakoda, Lakota, and Dakota descent on her father’s side, and Thai on her mother’s side. The confusion often stems from the broad use of “Indian” in historical contexts referring to Native Americans.
Is Amber Midthunder Chinese?
She is not Chinese. Her mother, Angelique Midthunder, is a casting director originally from Thailand with Thai-Chinese ancestry, which may have led to some speculation — but her documented public identity on her Instagram bio (@ambermidthunder) clearly reads: Nakoda/Lakota/Dakota • Thai. She has not personally identified as Chinese.
What is Amber Midthunder’s real name?
Her real name is Amber Midthunder. She uses her birth name professionally. It is not a stage name or pseudonym. According to her Instagram profile, she was born Amber Midthunder in Shiprock, New Mexico.
What is Amber Midthunder’s ethnicity?
Amber Midthunder’s ethnicity is Native American (specifically Nakoda, Lakota, and Dakota) and Thai. Her father, David Midthunder, is an actor of Hunkpapa Lakota, Sisseton Dakota, and Sahiyaiyeskabi Assiniboine descent. Her mother, Angelique Midthunder, is a casting director originally from Thailand, with Thai-Chinese ancestry, according to EthniCelebs. Her father spoke Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota fluently, and Lakota was the predominant language in her home, as she shared in a Yahoo / In The Know interview.
Midthunder’s specific tribal affiliations — Nakoda, Lakota, Dakota — are frequently misrepresented or simplified by media outlets. Her verified Instagram bio and interview statements provide the most direct source on her identity, making it a rare case where the subject’s own words align with verified tribal enrollment data from the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
What is Amber Midthunder doing now?
As of 2024, Amber Midthunder is filming two feature films: the action comedy Novocaine, co-starring Jack Quaid, and the drama Centurion: The Dancing Stallion. According to Apple TV’s biography, she is currently active in production on both projects.
What is Amber Midthunder’s upcoming project?
Her most anticipated upcoming project is Novocaine, an action comedy directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen. While plot details remain under wraps, the film has generated significant buzz due to its cast. Simultaneously, she is attached to Centurion: The Dancing Stallion, a drama that continues her pattern of selecting character-driven, physically demanding roles.
Is Amber Midthunder in Prey 2?
As of early 2025, no official Prey 2 has been announced. However, Midthunder has expressed interest in reprising her role as Naru. In a YouTube interview on Native representation, she discussed the importance of the character’s arc, suggesting the door is open for a continuation. Industry speculation, including coverage by Tulsa World’s Scene podcast, points to a broader “golden age of Native cinema” that makes a sequel more likely than not.
The pattern: Midthunder is not waiting for the franchise — she is actively building a filmography outside Prey, a smart move for an actor in her position.
What movies and TV shows has Amber Midthunder been in?
Amber Midthunder’s filmography spans over a decade, from early credits to her breakout in Prey. A complete list is available on Wikipedia and IMDb, but her most notable roles are outlined below.
What is Amber Midthunder’s role in Prey?
In Prey, Midthunder plays Naru, a young Comanche warrior who challenges her tribe’s gender roles and ultimately faces the Predator. The film, released on Hulu on August 5, 2022, was the first in the Predator franchise to feature a Native American lead and an almost entirely Indigenous cast. Yahoo / In The Know described her role as the first Native female lead in an action film.
Is Amber Midthunder in Avatar?
No, she is not in Avatar. This is a common confusion, likely because both Prey and Avatar involve Indigenous-themed storytelling and strong female leads. Midthunder’s filmography contains no Avatar credit.
- Legion (FX, 2017–2019) — Kerry Loudermilk: a mutant with super strength, part of a fan-favorite duo.
- Roswell, New Mexico (The CW, 2019–2022) — Rosa Ortecho: a pivotal supporting role across multiple seasons (Italian Wikipedia).
- Hell or High Water (2016) — A minor role in the critically acclaimed crime drama.
- Reservation Dogs (FX, 2023) — Guest appearance in the award-winning Indigenous-led series.
- Banshee (Cinemax, 2013) — Early TV credit.
What this means: Midthunder’s career is characterized by roles that carry cultural weight — she repeatedly plays Indigenous characters, often in stories that center Native perspectives, rather than being cast in colorblind roles. This is both a personal choice and a reflection of the industry’s slow change.
Is Amber Midthunder married?
Amber Midthunder is not married. She has no publicly known husband, and her relationship status is private. As of early 2025, no engagement or partnership has been confirmed by her or her representatives.
Is Amber Midthunder related to Jeanine Mason?
No. Jeanine Mason is the actress who played Liz Ortecho on Roswell, New Mexico. Midthunder played Rosa Ortecho, Liz’s sister, but they are not related in real life. Midthunder’s family consists of her parents, David and Angelique Midthunder, and she has no publicly listed siblings or cousins in the industry.
Does Amber Midthunder have a partner?
There are no public reports confirming a partner. Her social media presence — Instagram (@ambermidthunder) — does not feature romantic relationships. She keeps her personal life out of the public eye, a choice that many fans respect but that also fuels ongoing speculation.
The trade-off: By keeping her private life off-limits, Midthunder controls her narrative but leaves space for rumor. This is a common strategy among rising stars who want to be known for work, not personal drama.
What is Amber Midthunder’s net worth?
Amber Midthunder’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. No verified financial figures exist. Some celebrity net worth sites — such as Bored Panda — offer estimates, but these are speculation, not confirmed data.
How old is Amber Midthunder?
She is 27 years old as of 2024. Her birthday is April 26, 1997, per Wikipedia.
How tall is Amber Midthunder?
Height is not officially confirmed by any reliable source. Various fan and speculative pages claim between 5’3″ and 5’6″, but no verified measurement exists. This is a common gap for actors who do not list physical stats on their official profiles.
The lack of verified financial information is unusual for an actor with a franchise lead role. Most major actors have some public record — tax filings, property records, or credible industry reports. For Midthunder, the absence suggests either a deliberate privacy strategy or that her Prey paycheck was less transformative than headlines implied.
For fans and journalists, the implication is clear: until Midthunder or her team share financial details, any number online is guesswork.
“I grew up with my dad speaking Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota fluently. That was the language in my home.”
— Amber Midthunder, Yahoo / In The Know interview
“We are in a golden age of Native cinema, and Amber Midthunder is at the forefront of it.”
Amber Midthunder’s career is a case study in how Indigenous representation in Hollywood is shifting. She went from supporting roles on TV to carrying a major franchise film on her shoulders — and she did it without sacrificing her cultural identity. For Native American actors looking for a path forward, the lesson is not simply “get a big role” but “find a role that reflects who you are, and let authenticity do the rest.” In the coming years, whether through a Prey sequel or original projects like Novocaine, Midthunder will have the chance to prove that her breakout was not a one-off — it was the start of a new kind of action star.
imdb.com, youtube.com, tvtropes.org, fr.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, nzjournalist.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Amber Midthunder’s most famous role?
Her most famous role is Naru in Prey (2022), the fifth installment of the Predator franchise, released on Hulu.
How did Amber Midthunder start acting?
She began acting in childhood, with her first credited role in The Spirit of the Game (2011), according to her Apple TV biography.
What awards has Amber Midthunder won?
She won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Performance in a Show for Legion (2018) and has received multiple nominations for Prey, including a Saturn Award nomination.
Is Amber Midthunder in any upcoming movies?
Yes, she is set to appear in Novocaine (an action comedy) and Centurion: The Dancing Stallion (a drama), both in production as of 2024.
Where was Amber Midthunder born?
She was born in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation, per Wikipedia.
Does Amber Midthunder have siblings?
She has not publicly confirmed any siblings. No credible source lists them.
What is Amber Midthunder’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram username is @ambermidthunder, where she has 396,000 followers as of early 2025.
Is Amber Midthunder active on social media?
She is active on Instagram and Facebook but does not have a verified Twitter (X) account.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.