Anna Popplewell (born 16 December 1988)[1][2] is an English actress. She began acting with minor roles in television films and, notably, the drama films Mansfield Park (1999) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003). Her breakthrough role was Susan Pevensie in the fantasy film series The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–2010), which grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide and earned her a number of awards.
Anna Popplewell | |
|---|---|
 Popplewell in 2013 | |
| Born | 16 December 1988 London, England |
| Education | Magdalen College, Oxford (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse |
Sam Caird (m. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
| Father | Andrew Popplewell |
| Relatives |
|
Popplewell went on to play Chyler Silva in the web series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012) and Lady Lola in the historical drama series Reign (2013–2016). After a series of independent film roles, she played Kate in the horror film The Nun II (2023). Also in 2023, she made her stage debut as the title character in Hedda Gabler.
Early life and education
editPopplewell, the eldest of three children, is the daughter of Lord Justice Sir Andrew Popplewell, a Court of Appeal judge, and Debra Lomas, a dermatologist who studied at Newnham College, Cambridge.[3] She was born in London. Her siblings are Lulu and Freddie. Her paternal grandfather, Sir Oliver Popplewell, is a former judge, and her uncle, Nigel Popplewell, is a former cricketer.
Popplewell attended North London Collegiate School,[4] and was admitted to Oxford University in 2007 where she studied English Language and Literature at Magdalen College.[5][6]
Career
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2024) |
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Popplewell began acting at the age of six, taking classes at the Allsorts Drama School. She began acting professionally in the TV production Frenchman's Creek in 1998. She made her film debut in 1999 in the film Mansfield Park, and followed up with supporting roles in the films The Little Vampire (2000) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003), with Scarlett Johansson. In 2001, she appeared as Victoria in the BBC serial Love in a Cold Climate.[2]
Popplewell's first major role was in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), where she played Susan Pevensie at the age of 16. She has a fear of mice, requiring a double to undertake part of her scene at the Stone Table.[7] The film emerged as a blockbuster, and earned acclaim from critics and audiences.[8] She reprised her role in the sequel, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), in which she acted with William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley and Ben Barnes.[9] She also made a cameo appearance in the third Narnia film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).[10] Collectively, the films have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide.[11]
In 2012, Popplewell played the character Chyler Silva in the live action 5-part mini series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. In 2013, she began playing Lola, a friend of Mary, Queen of Scots, in the CW television series Reign. Filming took place in Ireland and Canada.[12] She played the role until 2016.[13]
Since 2018, Popplewell has narrated the audiobooks Dear Mrs. Bird and its sequels Yours, Cheerfully and Mrs. Porter Calling for Simon & Schuster Audio; London's Number One Dog-Walking Agency, for HarperAudio; Queen of Coin and Whispers for Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd; Jane Eyre for Penguin Audio; Everything is Lies for Michael Joseph Publishers; and her grandfather Sir Oliver Popplewell's novel, The Prime Minister and His Mistress, for Lulu Publishing Services.[14]
In 2023, Popplewell played Kate in the horror film The Nun II, which was a commercial success.[15][16] Writing for Forbes, Simon Thompson praised her return, calling Popplewell a "familiar and welcome face in the cast".[17] Alison Foreman of IndieWire described her as "especially warm" and "easy-to-root-for".[18] Also in 2023, she made her stage debut playing the titular role in the play Hedda Gabler.[19]
Personal life
editPopplewell married Sam Caird in 2016. The couple have one daughter.[20]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Mansfield Park | Betsey | |
| 2000 | The Little Vampire | Anna Sackville-Bagg | |
| 2001 | Me Without You | Young Marina | |
| 2002 | Thunderpants | Denise Smash | |
| 2003 | Girl with a Pearl Earring | Maertge | |
| 2005 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Susan Pevensie | |
| 2008 | The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Susan Pevensie | |
| 2010 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | Susan Pevensie | Cameo appearance |
| 2012 | Payback Season | Izzy Jacobs | |
| 2015 | Freak of Nurture | Nurse Bethany Lane | |
| 2017 | The Last Birthday | Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia | Short film |
| 2019 | You Are Here | Tanya | |
| 2023 | The Nun II | Kate | |
| TBA | Plastic Surgery † | Dr. Terra | Short film |
| Fairytale † | Frankie |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Frenchman's Creek | Henrietta | Television film |
| 2000 | Dirty Tricks | Rebecca | |
| 2001 | Love in a Cold Climate | Victoria | Miniseries |
| 2002 | Daniel Deronda | Fanny Davilow | Miniseries; 3 episodes |
| 2011 | Comedy Lab | Herself | Episode: "Totally Tom" |
| 2011 | Brave New World | Maura Taft | Television film |
| 2012 | Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn | Chyler Silva | Web series; main role |
| 2012 | Looking Back | Herself | Documentary short |
| 2013–2016 | Reign | Lady Lola/Lola Narcisse | Main role |
| 2020 | Prop Culture | Herself | Disney+ docuseries; Episode: "The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe" |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Susan Pevensie | Voice role |
| 2008 | The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Susan Pevensie | |
| 2022 | The Gallery | Morgan/Dorian | Interactive film |
Podcast
edit- The Left Right Game (2020)
Stage
edit- Hedda Gabler (2023)
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Fantasy Movie Actress | The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe | Nominated | |
| CAMIE Awards | — | Won | [21] | ||
| 2008 | Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards | Best Film Star | The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble Cast | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Streamy Awards | Best Female Performance: Drama | Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Henley, Georgie (16 December 2018). "Georgie Henley Instagram Post about Anna's Birthday". Instagram. [Link]https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/georgiehenley/1935789502226163469_1935787607414190389. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Child stars of new Narnia film unveiled". Irish Examiner. 12 October 2005. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ^ O’Connell, Alex (25 February 2023). "Anna Popplewell — from Narnia to a gay Hedda Gabler". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "The Big 6" (PDF). Newsletter. North London Collegiate School. March 2006. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
- ^ Little, Reg (27 June 2008). "Magdalen's leading lady". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ Griffiths, Sian (15 June 2008). "The chronicles of Narnia's children". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ Anna Popplewell and Andrew Adamson (2006). The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [Cast Commentary] (DVD).
- ^ "Holiday 2005: 'Kong' vs. 'Narnia' vs. 'Goblet'". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ Popplewell, Anna (25 June 2008). "RT Interview: Anna Popplewell on a Different Side to Narnia in Prince Caspian". Rotten Tomatoes (Interview). Interviewed by Joe Utichi. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Martin, Paul (17 September 2010). "Anna Popplewell confirms Tiny role in Dawn Treader". Narnia Fans. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "'Narnia' vs. 'Narnia'". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "M3 – Details". bellmediapr.ca. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
- ^ Valentine, Genevieve (20 June 2016). "In a bitter finale, Reign goes gloriously for broke". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
- ^ "Audiobooks narrated by Anna Popplewell | Audible.com". www.audible.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (26 October 2022). "'The Nun 2': Anna Popplewell & Katelyn Rose Downey Board New Line Sequel". Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (24 September 2023). "The Nun 2' Puts 'The Expendables' In Detention At Box Office In What's Shaping Up To Be A Low Weekend For 2023 At $52M". Deadline. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Simon. "'The Nun II' Review: Horror Sequel Conjures Up A Winning Tale Of Terror". Forbes. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Foreman, Alison (7 September 2023). "'The Nun II' Review: The Conjuring Universe Delivers a Tightly Crafted (Painfully Pro-Catholic) Second Coming". IndieWire. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Masso, Giverny (6 January 2023). "Narnia star Anna Popplewell to make stage debut in queer Hedda Gabler". The Stage. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ The Permanent Rain Press Interview with Anna Popplewell. The Permanent Rain Press (published 2 April 2022). March 2022. Event occurs at 35:16 – via YouTube.
- ^ "2006 Camie Awards". Archived from the original on 9 February 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
External links
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