Olivia Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olivia Williams
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Williams in 2014
|
|
| Born |
Olivia Haigh Williams
26 July 1968 North London, England
|
| Alma mater | Newnham College, Cambridge Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Rhashan Stone
(m. 2003) |
| Children | 2 |
Olivia Haigh Williams (born 26 July 1968) is a talented British actress. She has appeared in many popular movies and TV shows in both the UK and the USA. Olivia studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and also spent time with the famous Royal Shakespeare Company.
She first gained attention in the TV film Emma in 1996. This movie was based on a book by Jane Austen. Olivia then starred in films like The Postman (1997), Rushmore (1998), and the very popular The Sixth Sense (1999).
More recently, from 2017 to 2019, she played Emily Silk in the science fiction TV series Counterpart. She also played Camilla Parker Bowles in the final two seasons of Netflix's historical drama The Crown from 2022 to 2023.
Contents
About Olivia Williams
Early Life and Education
Olivia Williams was born in North London, England. Both of her parents were barristers, which means they were lawyers who argued cases in court.
Olivia went to South Hampstead High School, which is a private school for girls. She then studied English literature at Newnham College, Cambridge university. After that, she spent two years learning drama at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She also spent three years working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, which is a very famous theatre group.
Starting Her Acting Career
After finishing her studies, Olivia worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She performed in plays in both Stratford-upon-Avon and London. In 1995, she toured the United States in a play called Richard III, starring the famous actor Ian McKellen.
Her first big role on screen was in the 1996 TV film Emma. This film was based on a classic novel by Jane Austen.
Big Roles in Movies
Olivia made her first movie appearance in 1997 in The Postman. She then got a main role in Wes Anderson's movie Rushmore (1998). A year later, she starred as Bruce Willis' wife in the huge hit movie The Sixth Sense (1999).
_2.jpg)
_cropped.jpg)
Since 2001, Olivia has been in many British films. These include Lucky Break (2001) and The Heart of Me (2002). For The Heart of Me, she won an award for Best Actress. She also appeared in An Education (2009). In 2003, she played Mrs. Darling in the film Peter Pan.
In 2010, Olivia received great reviews for her role as Ruth Lang in The Ghost Writer. She won several awards for this performance, including the National Society of Film Critics Award. She also appeared in Hanna (2011), playing Rachel, a mother traveling across North Africa and Europe.
In 2014, Olivia co-starred in Maps to the Stars, a movie about Hollywood. She also played Meg Hamilton in the mystery film Altar.
Television Work
On TV, Olivia played the famous British author Jane Austen in Miss Austen Regrets (2008). She was also a main character, Adelle DeWitt, in the TV series Dollhouse from 2009 to 2010.
From 2017 to 2019, Olivia starred in the science-fiction series Counterpart. She played Emily, the wife of the main character. In 2021, she was chosen to play Camilla Parker Bowles in the last two seasons of The Crown. This role was very popular and she played it from 2022 to 2023.
Personal Life
Olivia Williams was engaged to actor Jonathan Cake for seven years, but they broke up just before their wedding. In 2003, she married actor and writer Rhashan Stone. They have two daughters together.
After filming The Postman, Olivia spent some time in Bolivia. There, she studied spectacled bears in the rainforest.
In 2018, Olivia was diagnosed with a rare illness called VIPoma. After getting treatment, she became an ambassador for Pancreatic Cancer UK. This means she helps raise awareness and support for people with pancreatic cancer.
Awards and Recognition
Olivia Williams has won and been nominated for several awards for her acting.
- In 2002, she won the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress for her role in The Heart of Me.
- In 2010, she won the London Film Critics Circle Award for British Supporting Actress of the Year and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Ghost Writer.
- She was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2023 and 2024 for her role in The Crown.
Selected Filmography
Olivia Williams has appeared in many films and television shows. Here are some of her notable roles:
Films
- 1997: The Postman as Abby
- 1998: Rushmore as Rosemary Cross
- 1999: The Sixth Sense as Anna Crowe
- 2001: Lucky Break as Annabel Sweep
- 2002: The Heart of Me as Madeleine
- 2003: Peter Pan as Mrs. Darling
- 2009: An Education as Miss Stubbs
- 2010: The Ghost Writer as Ruth Lang
- 2011: Hanna as Rachel
- 2012: Anna Karenina as Countess Vronskaya
- 2012: Hyde Park on Hudson as Eleanor Roosevelt
- 2014: Sabotage as Caroline Brentwood
- 2014: Maps to the Stars as Cristina Weiss
- 2017: Victoria & Abdul as Jane Spencer
- 2020: The Father as The Woman
Television Shows
- 1996: Emma as Jane Fairfax (TV film)
- 1998: Friends as Felicity (2 episodes)
- 2009–2010: Dollhouse as Adelle DeWitt (Main role)
- 2014–2015: Manhattan as Liza Winter (Main role)
- 2017–2019: Counterpart as Emily Burton Silk (Main role)
- 2021–2023: The Nevers as Lavinia Bidlow (Main role)
- 2022–2023: The Crown as Camilla Parker Bowles (Main role in seasons 5–6)
- 2024: Dune: Prophecy as Tula Harkonnen (Main role)
See also
In Spanish: Olivia Williams para niños
