Keira Knightley

What can you say about Keira Knightley that isn’t already known? She is simply one of the most successful British actors of the century, with two Oscar nominations, three Golden Globe nominations, and over 100 other award wins and nominations to her name. She has starred in major films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Begin Again, The Imitation Game, and Anna Karenina, and has also appeared in major theatrical productions (being nominated for an Olivier Award for her part in The Misanthrope) and television series.

Knightley was born in London to a theatrical family and began acting young — among her early roles was an appearance on The Bill when she was ten years old. By her late teens, despite having appeared in numerous films and television series on both sides of the Atlantic, she was still relatively unknown. Her breakthrough came in 2002 with a co-starring role in Bend It Like Beckham, which became a smash in the UK and America, where it broke records in its genre. The following year, she appeared as Elizabeth Swann, one of the main cast of Pirates of the Caribbean. The film became a worldwide smash, grossing over half a billion dollars worldwide and giving rise to a series of sequels that Knightley also appeared in.

In 2006, Knightlety was nominated for her first Oscar thanks to her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. In 2007, she further cemented her reputation with Atonement and was nominated for a second Oscar in 2015 thanks to her role in the brilliant British drama film The Imitation Game.