Biography

Graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England (2005).

A former contortionist, she is able to coil either leg up behind her head so that the calf is resting against the nape of her neck.

She was awarded the 2006 Ian Charleson Award which recognizes exceptional classical stage performances from actors under 30, for her performances in "Miss Julie" and "Measure for Measure".

Born in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne and partly raised in Whitley Bay.

In a relationship with with Los Angeles based Street Artist Joe Appel known as Thrashbird since 2009.

I love my work and I love working hard. But I feel lucky every day that in this capitalist society in which we live, one can make one's living doing what one loves.

If I weren't an actress I'd like to be an author. Either that or the proprietor of a pool hall in Texas where I'd show cabaret with homosexual undertones.

[on working with Madonna in W.E. (2011)] She always said, "I'm here if you need anything from me", but she gave us a sense of freedom in regards to embodying the characters. When it came to shooting, she's a very visual, detailed director. She loves blocking things out. Before I walked on-set, she would choose my shoes and jewelery. It was her little ritual.

[on Edward, Duke of Windsor] I was fascinated by this detail in a documentary about Edward. When he and Wallis were living together, he would wait at the bottom of the stairs while she was dressing. After a certain amount of time, the butler would bring him a chair, and he would sit and wait. In a little more time, the butler would bring him a cigarette, and he'd sit there and smoke and wait. He'd wait and wait. Sometimes she would come down and they would leave. And sometimes he'd wait so long that he would end up in tears. There's something about that story that hit me in my heart.

I have lots of early film memories. I used to like watching black & white movies in the afternoon; I would sit kind of transfixed in front of the TV screen.