Born in London to Greek parents,  Marina began her passion for acting at the Guild Hall School of Music and Drama and,  shortly after graduation,  became a full time member of the Worthing Repertory Theatre.  Their production of Hamlet was Marina's entrée into the world of theatre.  She went on to appear with a variety of European companies such as Coventry Rep's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in the role of Esmerelda and in The Rocky Horror Picture Show as Magenta.

Marina made her American theatre debut in Hartford Stage's production of Loot and then starred in the world premiere of Neil Simon's Hotel Suite at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia,  both of which won her exceptional praise for her performances.

Once Marina had distinguished herself in theatre,  she began to expand her acting career into television.  She appeared in several popular television series such as Minder,  Up The Elephant and Round the Castle and Hazel,  and starred in the critically acclaimed made-for-television film One Last Chance.

Marina also appeared in feature films produced on both sides of the Atlantic including: The Wicked Lady with Faye Dunaway;  Death Wish III opposite Charles Bronson;  Blind Date with Bruce Willis and The Thief of Baghdad.

However,  it was Marina's portrayal of Deana Troi,  the empathic counsellor,  for seven years on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as the Star Trek feature films: Generations,  First Contact,  Insurrection and Nemesis,  that brought her legions of fans throughout the world.  Marina was originally cast in role of Tasha Yar,  but Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry switched her and Denise Crosby around.

Most recently, Marina has gained a whole new legion of fans for her work in the huge hit show NCIS,  where she plays Orli Elbaz, the Director of Mossad.

She is a keen supporter of Tottenham Hotspur and has a tattoo of their logo!