Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson is an acclaimed British actress and screenwriter, celebrated for her versatility across stage and screen, including her award-winning work in period dramas and mainstream Hollywood productions. After collaborating with fellow Footlights alumni Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie on the BBC television comedy sketch program ‘Alfresco’ (1983–1984), Emma Thompson garnered critical attention with a leading role in the West End adaptation of ‘Me and My Girl’ (1985). This momentum led to her breakthrough in television miniseries such as ‘Fortunes of War’ (1987) and ‘Tutti Frutti’ (1987), for which she earned a BAFTA Award. Her career gained significant momentum in the late 1980s and early 1990s through her film appearances, including ‘Henry V’ (1989) and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ (1993).

She also earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance on ‘Ellen’ in 1998. In recognition of her extensive contributions to drama, Emma Thompson was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018. Her recent work includes acclaimed performances as The Baroness in Disney’s ‘Cruella’ (2021) and as Miss Trunchbull in the Netflix musical fantasy ‘Matilda the Musical’ (2022). Thompson continues to be celebrated for her impactful and versatile career across stage and screen.