Lia Williams

Lia Williams (born 26 November 1964) is an English actress, notable for many stage, film, and television appearances. She is possibly best known for her role in the motion picture, Dirty Weekend (1993). Williams received a Tony Award nomination for her lead performance in the 1996 production of Skylight. She has also worked as a director.

Life and early career

Williams trained at the Arts Educational School in Hertfordshire and then the London Studio Centre. She gained early experience in amateur theatre at The Nomads in East Horsley Surrey, where she met her first husband, Brandon. After graduating, she worked a season at Paco Borau's Benidorm Palace as a show-girl, in order to gain her Equity Membership. She made her stage debut understudying in the comedy Daisy Pulls it Off at Southampton's Nuffield Theatre, which moved to London's Gielgud Theatre in 1983 where she graduated to a leading role.

Career

Theatre

An accomplished stage actress, Williams’s breakthrough performance came in 1991 when she was awarded the London Critics Circle Most Promising Newcomer Award for her performance in The Revengers' Comedies. In 1993, she created the role of Carol in the London production of David Mamet's Oleanna. In 1997, Williams appeared in London's West End and on Broadway in David Hare's Skylight. Her performance earned her a Best Actress Tony Award nomination. In 2001, Williams appeared again in the West End and on Broadway in Harold Pinter's The Homecoming.