Julia Stiles is heading to the ballroom! The actress, best known for films including 10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance and the Bourne franchise, is among the 16 celebrities competing on Dancing With the Stars Season 35. Stiles will be paired with professional dancer Ezra Sosa as she takes on a completely different kind of performance challenge.
But who is Julia Stiles and why does her casting have fans talking? Here is everything to know about the actor before she hits the DWTS dance floor.
Who Is Julia Stiles?
Julia Stiles is an American actor and filmmaker who began working professionally at a young age. She first gained recognition in the late 1990s before becoming one of the most recognisable young stars of the early 2000s.
Her breakthrough came with the 1999 teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, in which she played the outspoken Kat Stratford opposite Heath Ledger. The film became a cult favourite and remains one of the roles most closely associated with Stiles.
What Is Julia Stiles Famous For?
While 10 Things I Hate About You introduced Stiles to a wider audience, her career soon expanded beyond teen movies. She starred in Save the Last Dance in 2001 as Sara Johnson, a young ballet dancer who moves to Chicago and dreams of auditioning for Juilliard. The film became a major box-office success and is particularly relevant to her Dancing With the Stars journey because it required Stiles to perform extensive dance sequences.
Stiles also appeared in Mona Lisa Smile, The Prince and Me, Silver Linings Playbook and Hustlers.
Was Julia Stiles In The Bourne Movies?
Yes. Stiles played Nicky Parsons, a CIA operative and ally of Jason Bourne, in the Bourne franchise. She appeared in The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum and Jason Bourne, starring alongside Matt Damon.
The franchise helped establish Stiles as an actor capable of moving between romantic dramas, teen films and action thrillers.
Was Julia Stiles In Dexter?
Yes. Stiles also made a major mark on television with Dexter. She played Lumen Pierce during the show’s fifth season, earning critical recognition for the role. Her television work also includes Riviera, The Mindy Project and The Lake.
What Was Julia Stiles’ Directorial Debut?
Stiles expanded her work behind the camera with Wish You Were Here, her directorial debut. She wrote, directed and produced the romantic drama, which was released in 2025. The project marked a new chapter in her career beyond acting.
Does Julia Stiles Have Dance Experience?
This is perhaps the biggest question surrounding her DWTS casting. Stiles already has some dance experience thanks to Save the Last Dance. In the 2001 movie, she played a ballet dancer training for a Juilliard audition, requiring her to learn and perform choreography.
However, ballroom dancing is very different from the ballet and hip-hop-inspired dance styles featured in the film. So while Stiles isn’t completely new to dance, Dancing With the Stars will still present a fresh challenge.
Who Is Julia Stiles’ Dancing With The Stars Partner?
Julia Stiles has been paired with Ezra Sosa for Season 35. The professional dancer is among the pros taking part in the new season, with Stiles and Sosa competing against 15 other celebrity-professional pairings for the Mirrorball Trophy.
When Does Dancing With The Stars Season 35 Premiere?
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 will premiere as a two-night event on September 15 and 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. New episodes will also stream on Hulu the following day.
