Emily Watson is an acclaimed English actress with a rich and diverse career in both theatre and film. Born on January 14, 1967, in London, England, Watson was educated at St James Independent Schools in west London and then at the University of Bristol, where she obtained a BA in English in 1988. She later trained at Drama Studio London.
Watson began her career on stage, working with prestigious companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she appeared in productions like “The Children’s Hour,” “Three Sisters,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “The Lady from the Sea.” In 2002, she starred in Sam Mendes’ repertory productions of “Uncle Vanya” and “Twelfth Night,” earning critical acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination for her performance in “Uncle Vanya.”
Her film debut was in Lars von Trier’s “Breaking the Waves” (1996), where she delivered a stunning performance as Bess McNeill. This role won her several awards, including the Los Angeles, London, and New York Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Actress, and earned her nominations at the Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. Watson continued to gain recognition with her portrayal of the cellist Jacqueline du Pré in “Hilary and Jackie,” earning her another Oscar nomination. Other notable films in her career include “Cradle Will Rock,” “Angela’s Ashes,” “The Luzhin Defence,” “Gosford Park,” and “Red Dragon.”
Emily Watson has also had a successful career in television, with notable roles in series like “Chernobyl,” where she played Ulana Khomyuk, and “Appropriate Adult.” In addition to these, her filmography includes a wide range of movies like “The Book Thief,” “Punch-Drunk Love,” “War Horse,” and “Everest.”
Watson is married to English actor Jack Waters, with whom she shares a personal life away from the screen.