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Last updated on the 16 June 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 20 November 1981, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England.
Andrea Riseborough is a highly acclaimed English actress known for her versatile and often transformative performances across film, television, and theatre. Her early life saw her grow up in Whitley Bay. Her passion for acting ignited at a young age, leading her to become a member of the Young People’s Theatre in Newcastle. She pursued her formal education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2005 with a BA in Acting.
Andrea Riseborough’s career highlights are marked by a diverse range of roles that showcase her chameleon-like ability to inhabit different characters. Her film debut was a small part in “Venus” (2006), but she quickly gained prominence with roles in films such as “Brighton Rock” (2010), “W.E.” (2011), “Shadow Dancer” (2012), for which she won a British Independent Film Award for Best Actress, “Oblivion” (2013) and the Academy Award-winning “Birdman” (2014), where she was part of the ensemble cast that won a Screen Actors Guild Award.
On television, her talent was recognised with a “BAFTA nomination” for her portrayal of a young Margaret Thatcher in “The Long Walk to Finchley” (2008)”. The same year, she also secured an “RTS Television Award” for her work in “The Devil’s Whore” (2008)”. More recently, her performance in “To Leslie” (2022) garnered significant critical attention and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her extensive theatre work includes acclaimed performances in “Miss Julie” and “Measure for Measure.”
She grew up with parents, Isabel, a secretary and beautician and George, a car dealer. In 2020, she met actor Karim Saleh on the set of the film “Luxor” and has spoken about finding the “love of her life” with him.
Suggested viewing
The Devil’s Whore (2008)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
Set against the backdrop of England’s Civil War, a fiery woman confronts love, loss and political turmoil. Through marriages to men on opposing sides of the conflict, she challenges societal expectations, seeking her own path amidst a nation at war.
Top cast: Andrea Riseborough, John Simm, Peter Capaldi, Dominic West, Michael Fassbender, Maxine Peake, Tom Goodman-Hill, Harry Lloyd.
Shadow Dancer (2012)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.2
Torn between loyalty and desperation, a young mother entangled with the IRA is forced to betray them to protect her child. Working undercover for a government agent, she weaves a dangerous web of deceit, risking everything as she tries to escape the clutches of her past.
Top cast: Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough, Gillian Anderson, Aidan Gillen, Barry Barnes, Maria Laird, Ben Smyth, Brid Brennan.
Brighton Rock (2010)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 5.7
In “Brighton Rock”, a murder mystery set in 1930s Brighton, news reporter Charles Hale faces danger from Pinkie and his gang. Hale’s life hangs in the balance due to a story he wrote about the gang’s deceased former leader, Kite. Meanwhile, Pinkie woos Rose, a plain waitress, to keep her silent about their crimes.
Top cast: Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough, Helen Mirren, John Hurt, Phil Davis, Nonso Anozie, Craig Parkinson, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, Geoff Bell.
Alternative version
Crocodile (2017)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3
Years after a fatal hit-and-run, a seemingly perfect life crumbles when a new technology allows investigators to access memories. A desperate woman, haunted by her past, embarks on a path of violence to keep her dark secret buried.
Top cast: Andrea Riseborough, Kiran Sonia Sawar, Andrew Gower, Anthony Welsh, Claire Rushbrook, Joshua James, Adelle Leonce, Brian Pettifer.
Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley (2008)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.1
A young, ambitious woman with a sharp mind tackles the male-dominated world of 1950s British politics. Facing prejudice and party scepticism, she fights for recognition while juggling her burgeoning political career with the challenges of balancing family life.
Top cast: Andrea Riseborough, Philip Jackson, Michael Gould, Jonathan Aris, Rory Kinnear, Samuel West, Lydia Leonard, Marcia Warren, Michael Cochrane, Sylvestra Le Touzel.
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