Els Dottermans enjoyed her theatrical training at Studio Herman Teirlinck in Antwerp. Since her graduation, she has appeared in various successful plays by De Blauwe Maandag Compagnie, Het Toneelhuis, De Tijd, and many other companies.

Els has received numerous awards, including a Gouden Kalf (film) and the Theo D’Or (theatre). Her best-known roles comprise amongst others Moeder waarom leven wij, Kongo (television series), various guest appearances (Als ’t maar beweegt, Peulengaleis, Nefast voor de Feestvreugde), and remarkable parts in films such as Antonia and Meisje.

As of February 2006, she features in the motion picture Dennis Van Rita by Hilde Van Mieghem, for which she won the Best Actress award at the 9th International Shanghai Film Festival.