Biography

Trained at Oxford School of Drama.

Was in a relationship with actor Joseph Fiennes, between 1998 and 2000.

Her mother died when she was 6 years old. She was brought up Catholic by her father, a steelworker.

Her paternal grandfather was Irish.

She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 (2000 season) for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "All My Sons" at the Royal National Theatre, Cottesloe Stage.

[on her preference for theater work over film]: Theater really is an actor's medium: you're on stage with no director anymore, whereas in film very rarely do you get much rehearsal other than running through the scene very quickly. Then everyone comes in and shoots it.

In my entire career? I am so sick of being asked, What's it like to kiss Mel Gibson?

It's funny, I listen to friends who talk about back when they were 14, eight, 16, whatever, as if it was yesterday. Me, I've no idea what I did. It's all a blur, I'm afraid.

Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it's even begun.

I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.