Who is N.A.T.A.L.I.E.? N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is an artificial intelligence Riri/Ironheart creates, based subconsciously on a friend from her past. N.A.T.A.L.I.E. stands for “neuro-autonomous technical assistant & laboratory intelligence entity.”
Riri is taken aback when N.A.T.A.L.I.E. appears, not expecting this facsimile of her friend instead of the Wakandan AI she was trying to program. Soon, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. becomes instrumental, helping Riri operate her Ironheart suit and navigate the harrowing situations in which she finds herself.
N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is played by Lyric Ross: Lyric Ross’s performance is a highlight of Ironheart. She brings authenticity, openness, and joy, which moves the AI character past anything potentially robotic or superficial. As played by Ross, N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is indistinguishable from the real person she is based on, except when the program experiences a glitch, which is when the heart-breaking vulnerability Ross brings to N.A.T.A.L.I.E. comes through.
Previously seen in: Ross has had roles in This is Us and the animated Wendall & Wild.
Notable next projects: Next for Ross is an untitled project from writer-producer-actor Lena Waithe, according to IMDB. Hopefully, we see her again in a future MCU project featuring Ironheart.
Favorite character quote: “See, I just don’t know why you want to erase me when I am literally perfection.”
Great performance moment: Two scenes come to mind: When Riri meets N.A.T.A.L.I.E. for the first time in her bedroom after running an overnight upload for what she thought would be a standard AI. During this scene, Ross gives so many small touches to her character, from her facial expressions to her line readings (“That’s only weird if you make it weird.”) that you understand how incredibly jarring it is for Riri to see her there, because this AI is coming across as so lifelike and so much like her real-life friend.
The second scene is a flashback when the human Natalie and Riri are in the garage that belongs to Riri’s step-dad. They are looking at a car. Ross has the best line here complete with a perfect head toss: “Girl, just wait ‘til we start road-trippin’ in that thing, hair blowing dramatically in the wind…” It’s such a cute, fun moment, right before a pivotal event takes place.
This show had only six episodes to build this relationship and explore its significant lingering effect on Riri’s life and outlook. Lyric Ross and Dominique Thorne did fantastic work making their bond real and palpable.
Something special Lyric Ross gives N.A.T.A.L.I.E.: The familiarity and connection she has with Riri. Both actors did a wonderful job creating the sense of shared history, in-jokes, and ribbing two long-time friends have with each other, even if Riri remembers this N.A.T.A.L.I.E. is just a realistic recreation.
Featured image credit: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Addictive Mints 