Anecdotes

One of the Supporting Actresses of the Year in the New York Film Poll of Village Voice for "Mysteries of Lisbon".

Born in the Parish of Benavente.

Was victim of armed robbery while shooting a TV series in Brazil: that resulted in a security guard getting wounded and the robbers later trying to fire on Maria João as she angrily attacked one of them after they were apprehended. It took her some time to recover from this traumatic experience, something she achieved through boxing and self-defense classes.

Sister of Maria Matilde David da Silva Bastos and Susana David Bastos.

Last name is pronounced bus-too-shh.

Aunt of Gonçalo and Carolina.

Often works with Mário Laginha.

Daughter of Jaime da Silva Bastos (b. Socorro, Lisbon) and wife Maria Matilde Ramalho David (b. Benavente, Benavente), both residing at the Bairro de Santa Cruz, in Benavente, paternal granddaughter of Manuel Marques Bastos and wife Maria da Silva and maternal granddaughter of Fernando David and wife Guilhermina Perpétua Ramalho.