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Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson was born in Middlesex and studied at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2002. She continued her studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art from where she graduated in 2005.

In early 2006, Wilson exploded onto the scene by winning the title role in the BBC's major new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre – her first job out of drama school. Directed by Susanna White and co-starring Toby Stephens and Francesca Annis, the drama aired in September 2006 in the UK and received massive critical acclaim. Wilson's performance was described as sensational (Radio Times), splendidly contained (The Observer) and the key to the success of the adaptation (The Times). She went on to gain a BAFTA TV nomination for Best Actress in 2007 and was also caught the attention of Hollywood with her Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globe Awards.

Suddenly labeled the new British bright young thing, Wilson next proved her versatility and tremendous talent by appearing onstage in Maxim Gorky's The Philistines at the National Theatre. The play, which depicts the lives of a bigoted patriot and his bullied children in 1902 Russia, garnered high praise from critics and audience alike. The Independent referred to her as the excellent Ruth Wilson, while the Telegraph said her performance cracks the heart. The Sunday Telegraph called her portrayal riveting.

Following these successes, Wilson found herself very quickly in demand and became muse to the renowned auteur, Stephen Poliakoff, playing the lead in his critically-acclaimed 2007 films, Capturing Mary, starring alongside Dame Maggie Smith and David Williams, and A Real Summer, written specifically for Wilson and which she performed alone as a monologue.

Since then, Wilson has spent the last year and a half filming two high profile projects that will cement her position as one of the UK's most in demand young actresses. In 2008 she moved to South Africa to film AMC's much-anticipated mini-series The Prisoner. She also went on to play the female lead in Small Island, the forthcoming adaptation of the hugely popular book, which will form the centerpiece of the BBC's Autumn 2009 season.

Alongside these two projects, Wilson also tackled the role of Stella in the Donmar Warehouse production of A Streetcar Named Desire, starring opposite Rachel Weisz. The play opened in late July and the run all but sold out in its opening week. Mark Shenton at The Sunday Express calls Ruth superb, while Michael Billington at The Guardian praises Ruth's performance as impeccable.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2010.

Ruth Wilson Facts

OccupationActress
BirthdayJanuary 13, 1982 (42)
SignCapricorn
BirthplaceAshford, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Selected Filmography

The Lone Ranger
The Birds
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde
Anna Karenina
The Great Debaters
Locke
Saving Mr. Banks
The Shakiest Gun in the West
Don Knotts Reluctant Hero Pack
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