Trivia

Was Joe Wright's first choice for the role of Elizabeth Bennett in Pride & Prejudice (2005) before Keira Knightley auditioned. But Joe being a huge admirer of Romola's talent then offered her the role of Briony Tallis in Atonement (2007) as he really wanted to work with her.

Was brought up in Hong Kong and Singapore until she was 10.

Was among 80 women who accused Harvey Weinstein in sexual harassment or assault in October 2017.

She had no professional dancing experience before arriving on the set of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004).

Director François Ozon affectionately calls Romola "his muse".

In her Master's degree, she graduated with a first in English Literature from Open University (2010).

Romola has said her ideal role would be to play the eighteenth century feminist Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797).

In January 2008, Romola visited the Syrian-Iraqi border to make a short film called 'No Man's Land' for UNHCR about the 800 Palestinian refugees living in Al Tanaf refugee camp, who have been displaced since the Iraq war.

Has 2 children with her husband Sam Hoare - a daughter (b. March 2013) and second child whose birth date, gender and name unknown.

Her proudest work as an actress is Angel (2007).

Her two oldest siblings Ralph and Rosie were adopted as babies before she and her sister were born.

Was François Ozon's first and only choice for the role of Angel Deverell in Angel (2007).

She was at university studying English Literature. She used to sing in a jazz band. A casting agent, scouting at her school for young girls, chose her for her first acting role in The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (2000).

Received a standing ovation at the Berlin Film Festival for her performance in Angel (2007).

While filming Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), she became good friends with Diego Luna. They remain close and have a very strong bond.

Her favorite movies are The Wizard of Oz (1939), Orlando (1992) and Fargo (1996).

Romola's paternal great-grandfather, Bernhard "Bert" Garai, was a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who founded the Keystone Press Agency in London in 1924. Romola's other ancestry is English.

She has three siblings: one brother named Ralph and two sisters named Rosie and Roxy.

Finishing her degree in English Literature from Queen Mary, University of London (2008).

Favorite actresses are Samantha Morton and Emily Watson.

Attended the National Youth Theatre.

Was 1 month pregnant with her daughter when she completed filming on The Last Days on Mars (2013).

Hailed by The Sunday Times Magazine as one of Britain's finest Rising Stars along with Matthew Goode, Hugh Dancy, Eddie Redmayne, Gemma Arterton, Hayley Atwell, Andrea Riseborough, Richard Coyle, Tom Sturridge, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Eliza Bennett, Daniel Mays and Kaya Scodelario (2009).

Frequently appears dancing in scenes from her films, including Angel (2007), Daniel Deronda (2002) (TV), Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), I Capture the Castle (2003), Rory O'Shea Was Here (2004) and Vanity Fair (2004).

Very good friends with Jamie Bell and Charlie Hunnam, whom she met while filming Nicholas Nickleby (2002).

Her last name, "Garai", is Hungarian and is pronounced like "Garaie".

Was officially in the BAFTA long list (equivalent to the semi-finals) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, for her role in Atonement (2007), which consisted of 15 finalists for each category (except Animated Film). However, she was eliminated in the next round, during which the five official nominees were selected [2008].

Cites Mike Leigh, Michael Winterbottom, Ken Loach, The Coen brothers, David Lynch and Todd Haynes as her favorite directors and would love to work with them in the future.

Returned to work 6 months after giving birth to her daughter to film Legacy (2013).

Real hair color is blonde but she occasionally dyes it in real life and for movie roles.

Named as one of the Actresses of the Year by The Independent (2008) for Angel (2007).

Her favorite horror movie is The Blair Witch Project (1999).

Has visited Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta, Venice, Australia, Italy, Belgium and Indonesia.

Was considered for the female lead in Good (2008), but was not able to do it due to schedule conflicts.

She has appeared in two unrelated films entitled "Scoop": Scoop (2006) and Scoop (2024).