14 Actresses You Probably Didn’t Know Are British

From blockbuster action movies to acclaimed dramas and hit streaming shows, British actresses have become some of the biggest names in entertainment. Many are so closely associated with Hollywood that audiences may not realize they were born or raised in the UK. Here are some famous actresses whose British roots might surprise you.

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan was born in London and began her career in British theater and television before finding success in Hollywood. She earned her second Oscar nomination in 2021 for Promising Young Woman, more than a decade after her first nomination in 2010 for her role of Jenny in An Education.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike was born in London and began her career on the British stage and television before making her film debut opposite Pierce Brosnan in the 2002 James Bond movie Die Another Day. She later became internationally known for her chilling performance in Gone Girl. Pike’s polished presence and wide acting range have made her one of Britain’s most recognizable stars.

Alice Eve

Alice Eve was born in London and raised in a family of British actors before building a career in both UK and American productions. She became widely known for playing Dr. Carol Marcus in Star Trek Into Darkness. Her mix of comedy, drama, and action roles has helped make her a familiar British presence in Hollywood.

Lauren Cohan

Lauren Cohan was born in New Jersey but moved to England with her family when she was 13, where she spent her teenage years before launching her acting career. She later gained international fame playing Maggie Greene on The Walking Dead. Her American birth and British upbringing have allowed her to move naturally between productions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown was born to British parents and raised partly in Dorset, England, before becoming an international star. She rose to fame as Eleven on Stranger Things, earning two Primetime Emmy nominations. Her success has made her one of the most recognizable young British actresses working today.

Ella Purnell

Ella Purnell was born in London’s Whitechapel neighborhood and grew up in East London before launching her acting career. She later gained international recognition through roles in Yellowjackets and Fallout. Her success has made her one of the most recognizable British actresses of her generation.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton was raised in Cornwall, England, where she began acting before building an international career. She became widely known for roles in films and television, including her Emmy-winning performance on Westworld. Her range and emotional intensity have made her one of Britain’s most respected actresses.

Mia Goth

Mia Goth was born in Southwark, London, and began her career in dark, unconventional films before gaining wider recognition. She became a leading figure in modern horror through the X trilogy, Infinity Pool, and Frankenstein. Her daring role choices have established her as one of Britain’s most distinctive contemporary actresses.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins was born in Guildford, England, and is the daughter of English musician Phil Collins. She spent her early childhood in the UK before moving to Los Angeles, giving her strong ties to both countries. Her transatlantic upbringing has helped shape a career that spans British and American productions.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh was born in Oxford, England, and began building her career in British film before gaining international recognition. Her performances in Midsommar and Little Women established her as a major talent.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami and spent part of her childhood in Buenos Aires before moving to London with her family at age six, according to Biography.com. She later began her acting career in the UK and gained international recognition through roles in The Witch and The Queen’s Gambit.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer was born and raised in Liverpool, England, and began her career in British television before gaining international recognition. Her performance as Villanelle on Killing Eve earned her both an Emmy and a BAFTA Award in 2019.

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller was born in New York City but moved to London with her family while she was still an infant. She grew up in England and began her career as a model before moving into British and American film and television.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts was born in Shoreham, England, and spent her early childhood in the UK before moving to Australia as a teenager. She gained international recognition with Mulholland Drive and went on to earn two Oscar nominations and a 2024 Emmy nomination.