Margaret Mazzantini (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarɡaret mattsanˈtiːni]; born 27 October 1961) is an Italian-Irish writer and actress. She became a film, television and stage actor, but is best known as a writer. Mazzantini began her acting career in 1980 starring in the cult horror classic Antropophagus, she has also appeared in television and theatre. As a successful writer, her novels include Non ti muovere (Don't Move) which was adapted into the namesake film and is directed by her husband Sergio Castellitto and stars Penélope Cruz. Her career as a writer and actress has earned her several awards and nominations including Campiello Awards, a Golden Ticket Award, and a Goya Award.

Mazzantini was born in Dublin, Ireland to Carlo Mazzantini, an Italian writer and artist, and Anne Donnelly, an Irish artist. She has three sisters (one of whom is Giselda Volodi). She spent her childhood around Europe, Spain, and Tangier, until the family settled in Tivoli. In 1982 she graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome.

She married Sergio Castellitto in 1987. They have four children, Pietro (b. 1992), Maria (b. 1997), Anna (b. 2001) and Cesare (b. 2006). She lives in Rome.

In 2003, she was awarded the title of Knight Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on the initiative of the President of the Republic.

• 1982: Ifigenia di Goethe
• 1983-1983: Venezia salvata di T.
• 1984-1985: La tre sorelle di Cechov (The Three Sisters of Cechov)
• 1984-1985: L'onesto Jago di C.
• 1984-1985: L'Alcade di Zalamea di Calderon de la Barca (The Governor of Zalamea Calderon de la Barca)
• 1985-1986: La Signora Giulia di Strindberg
• 1986: Antigone di Sofocle
• 1987: Faust di Goethe
• 1987: Mon Faust di Paul Valéry
• 1988: Bambino di Susan Sontag (Child of Susan Sontag)
• 1989: Praga Magica-Valeria (Magic Prague-Valeria)
• 1992-1993: A piedi nudi nel parco (Barefoot in the Park)
• 1994: Colpi bassi (Low Blows)

• Il Catino Di Zinco, Venezia : Marsilio Editori, 1994. ISBN 88-317-5897-7
• Manola, Milano : Mondadori, 1998. ISBN 88-04-41016-7
• Non ti muovere, Milano : Mondadori, 2001. ISBN 88-04-48947-2
  • translated into English by John Cullen Don't move, London : Chatto & Windus, 2004. ISBN 0-7011-7677-6
  • adapted as the film Non ti muovere (Don't Move), directed by Sergio Castellitto, released 2004
• Zorro. Un eremita sul marciapiede, Milano : Mondadori, 2004. ISBN 88-04-53516-4
• Venuto al mondo, Mondadori, Milano 2008. ISBN 88-04-57370-8
  • translated into English by Ann Gagliardi Twice Born, Oxford : Oneworld, 2011. ISBN 1-85168-844-7
  • adapted as the film Venuto al mondo, directed by Sergio Castellitto, released 2012
• Nessuno si salva da solo, Milano : Mondadori, 2011, ISBN 978-88-046-0865-3
• Mare al mattino, Turino: Einaudi, 2011 ISBN 978-88-062-1113-4
• Splendore, Milano, Mondadori, 2013. ISBN 978-88-04-63808-7

• 1984: UBU Award - Best Young Actress
• 1985: Golden Mask IDI
• 1994: Golden Ticket Award
• 1994: Rapallo Carige Prize
• 1994: Campiello Prize Selection
• 2002: Rapallo Carige Prize
• 2002: Premio Strega
• 2002: Grinzane Cavour Prize
• 2002: Bari Award
• 2004: Boccaccio Prize
• 2005: Silver Ribbon - Best Screenplay (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto)
• 2009: Campiello Prize - for Come to the World
• 2004: Nomination - David Award - Best Screenplay (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto)
• 2005: Nomination - CEC Award - Best Screenplay, adapted (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto)
• 2005: Nomination - Goya Award - Best Screenplay, adapted (for Don't Move shared with Sergio Castellitto)