The Fanning Dynasty: 7 Shocking Facts About Elle Fanning's Sister, Dakota, And Their First Film Together
For years, Hollywood has been captivated by the two shining stars of the Fanning family, but as of late 2025, the dynamic between Elle Fanning and her older sister, Dakota Fanning, is more newsworthy than ever. The biggest news is their long-awaited, first-ever on-screen collaboration in a major motion picture, a project that has been decades in the making and promises to be a career-defining moment for both actresses.
The younger Fanning sister, Elle, has always spoken warmly of her sibling, but their professional paths have mostly run parallel—until now. This article dives deep into the life and career of Elle Fanning's sister, Dakota, revealing fresh details about their joint project, their surprising family background, and the individual blockbuster careers that have made them two of the most respected young talents in the industry.
Hannah Dakota Fanning: Biography and Career Profile
Hannah Dakota Fanning, known simply as Dakota Fanning, is the older sister of Mary Elle Fanning. Born in Conyers, Georgia, the sisters quickly moved to Los Angeles to pursue their acting careers, becoming one of Hollywood's most successful sibling duos.
- Full Name: Hannah Dakota Fanning
- Date of Birth: February 23, 1994
- Age (as of 2025): 31
- Place of Birth: Conyers, Georgia, U.S.
- Parents: Steven J. Fanning (former minor league baseball player) and Heather Joy Arrington (former professional tennis player)
- Sibling: Mary Elle Fanning (actress)
- Early Career Breakthrough: Starring role in the 2001 film I Am Sam at age seven, for which she received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
- Notable Films: Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, Charlotte’s Web, The Twilight Saga, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
- Recent/Upcoming Projects (2024-2025): The Watchers (2024), Ripley (2024 TV series), The Perfect Couple (2024 TV series), Vicious (2025).
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Between $12 million and $16 million.
The Nightingale: Their First On-Screen Collaboration is Officially Happening
The most anticipated news for fans of the Fanning sisters is the confirmation of their first-ever on-screen collaboration: the film adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s best-selling novel, The Nightingale.
This World War II drama has been in development for years, facing numerous delays, but the project is now officially moving forward, with a confirmed theatrical release date set for February 12, 2027.
The film, directed by Michael Morris and written by Dana Stevens, will see the real-life sisters play fictional sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are separated by the war in France.
The story focuses on the resilience of women during the German occupation of France. Dakota Fanning will play Vianne, the older sister forced to house a German officer, while Elle Fanning will play Isabelle, the younger, rebellious sister who joins the Resistance. The emotional weight of the story, coupled with the sisters' real-life bond, is expected to make this a cinematic milestone. Elle Fanning has expressed excitement about the project, noting that it was finally "the perfect time" to act opposite her sister.
This project is significant because, despite both being successful child stars and working in Hollywood for over two decades, they have never shared a scene until now. Elle’s first film role, in fact, was playing the younger version of Dakota’s character in the 2001 film I Am Sam, but they were never on screen together. The production is being handled by TriStar Pictures.
5 Fascinating Facts That Define the Fanning Sisters' Dynamic
Beyond their upcoming collaboration, the relationship and careers of Dakota and Elle Fanning are full of unique details that showcase their individual journeys and shared history. These facts highlight why they are so often discussed in the media.
1. Elle’s First Role Was Dakota’s Shadow
Many people forget that Elle Fanning’s professional acting career literally began by following in her older sister’s footsteps. In the movie I Am Sam, Elle played the two-year-old version of Dakota's character, Lucy Dawson. This trend continued in the miniseries Taken, where Elle played the younger version of Dakota's character, Allie Keys. It wasn't until 2002's Daddy Day Care that Elle landed her first independent role, proving she was a formidable actress in her own right.
2. They Share a Surprising Royal Connection
The Fanning sisters are not just Hollywood royalty; they are distantly related to actual European royalty. Through their mother's side of the family, the Fannings are reportedly 22nd great-granddaughters of King Edward III of England. This connection makes them distant cousins of Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton). This detail adds an unexpected layer to their already storied family history.
3. Dakota is the Queen of Prestige TV in 2024/2025
While Elle Fanning is known for her Golden Globe-nominated role as Catherine the Great in the hit series *The Great*, Dakota Fanning has had a massive presence on the small screen in 2024 and 2025. She starred as Marge Sherwood in the critically acclaimed Netflix limited series Ripley and is a key part of the ensemble cast in the upcoming Netflix limited series The Perfect Couple (2024). She also took on the main role of Mina/Lucy in the 2024 horror film The Watchers, cementing her status as a versatile, in-demand actress across all genres.
4. They Are Both Producers, Not Just Actresses
The Fanning sisters have strategically moved beyond simply acting roles to take control of their creative careers. Dakota Fanning served as an executive producer on the series *The First Lady* (2022), where she played Susan Ford. Similarly, Elle Fanning was an executive producer on *The Great*, and both sisters are attached as producers on *The Nightingale* alongside starring in the film. This shift demonstrates their long-term commitment to shaping the projects they are involved in.
5. Their Parents Have a Strong Athletic Background
The Fanning sisters' talent for performance may come from their mother, but their competitive drive likely stems from their athletic family background. Their father, Steven Fanning, played minor league baseball, and their mother, Heather Joy Arrington, was a professional tennis player. Their maternal grandfather, Rick Arrington, was a former NFL quarterback. This sports lineage suggests a deep-seated drive and discipline that has clearly translated into their demanding Hollywood careers.
The careers of Mary Elle Fanning and Hannah Dakota Fanning continue to evolve, with their latest projects proving they are more than just former child stars. From Dakota's recent work in Ripley and The Watchers to Elle's highly anticipated role in A Complete Unknown alongside Timothée Chalamet, both siblings are at the peak of their professional game. Their collaboration in The Nightingale is set to be a significant cultural moment, celebrating not only their immense talent but also the powerful bond of sisterhood.
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