Vera Cherny was born Vera Chernysheva in Primorsky Krai, Russia, to Lyubov, a teacher, and Vasily, a former Soviet Army officer. Because of her father's profession the family moved a lot. The first time they relocated, Vera was less than two months old and her parents carried her onto a military truck in an open suitcase, instead of a bassinet.Vera began performing at three and a half years old, as a student at a local dance school in Altengrabow, in the former East Germany. No matter where she found herself, she continued taking dance classes and doing school productions.At sixteen years old, Vera came to the United States, on a full-time scholarship from the Freedom Support Act. She continued pursuing her undergraduate and graduate studies in the U.S., while also participating in college and regional theatre productions. She graduated with an M.F.A. in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City.Currently, Vera appears on the FX series "The Americans", as a recurring character of Tatiana Evgenyevna (Seasons 3 and 4). She is also playing a recurring character of Vera on Crackle's "StartUp".