Emily Watson

Emily Margaret Watson OBE (born 14 January 1967) is an English actress. She began her career on stage and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1992. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her debut film role as Bess McNeil in Lars von Trier's Breaking the Waves (1996) and for her role as Jacqueline du Pré in Hilary and Jackie (1998), winning the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress for the latter. Watson's other films include The Boxer (1997), Angela's Ashes (1999), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Red Dragon (2002), Equilibrium (2002), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), Corpse Bride (2005), Miss Potter (2006), Synecdoche, New York (2008), The Theory of Everything (2014), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), The Happy Prince (2018) and God's Creatures (2022). For her role in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for playing Janet Leach in the 2011 ITV television biopic Appropriate Adult and was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Actress for the 2017 BBC miniseries Apple Tree Yard.

2 3 4

Angela's Ashes (1999)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

Based on the best selling autobiography by Irish expat Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes follows the experiences of young Frankie and his family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan Parker
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Robert Carlyle  •  Joe Breen  •  Michael Legge

Based on the best selling autobiography by Irish expat Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes follows the experiences of young Frankie and his family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan Parker
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Robert Carlyle  •  Joe Breen  •  Michael Legge

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

A theater director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charlie Kaufman
CAST:  Philip Seymour Hoffman  •  Samantha Morton  •  Jennifer Jason Leigh  •  Michelle Williams

A theater director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charlie Kaufman
CAST:  Philip Seymour Hoffman  •  Samantha Morton  •  Jennifer Jason Leigh  •  Michelle Williams

Breaking the Waves (1996)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

In a small and conservative Scottish village, a woman's paralytic husband convinces her to have extramarital intercourse so she can tell him about it and give him a reason for living.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lars von Trier
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Stellan Skarsgård  •  Katrin Cartlidge  •  Jean-Marc Barr

In a small and conservative Scottish village, a woman's paralytic husband convinces her to have extramarital intercourse so she can tell him about it and give him a reason for living.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lars von Trier
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Stellan Skarsgård  •  Katrin Cartlidge  •  Jean-Marc Barr

Corpse Bride (2005)

RomanticBeautifulOriginalInspiring

Set in a 19th-century European village, this stop-motion animation feature follows the story of Victor, a young man whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious corpse bride, while his real bride Victoria waits bereft in the land of the living.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Burton  •  Mike Johnson
CAST:  Johnny Depp  •  Helena Bonham Carter  •  Emily Watson  •  Tracey Ullman

Set in a 19th-century European village, this stop-motion animation feature follows the story of Victor, a young man whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious corpse bride, while his real bride Victoria waits bereft in the land of the living.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Burton  •  Mike Johnson
CAST:  Johnny Depp  •  Helena Bonham Carter  •  Emily Watson  •  Tracey Ullman

Cradle Will Rock (1999)

A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Robbins
CAST:  Hank Azaria  •  Rubén Blades  •  Joan Cusack  •  John Cusack

A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tim Robbins
CAST:  Hank Azaria  •  Rubén Blades  •  Joan Cusack  •  John Cusack

Equilibrium (2002)

Action-packedFuturisticIntenseFast paced

In a dystopian future, a totalitarian regime maintains peace by subduing the populace with a drug, and displays of emotion are punishable by death. A man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Wimmer
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Dominic Purcell  •  Sean Bean  •  Christian Kahrmann

In a dystopian future, a totalitarian regime maintains peace by subduing the populace with a drug, and displays of emotion are punishable by death. A man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Wimmer
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Dominic Purcell  •  Sean Bean  •  Christian Kahrmann

Gosford Park (2001)

CleverComplexMysteriousThought provoking

In 1930’s England, a group of pretentious rich and famous gather together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Helen Mirren  •  Clive Owen  •  Maggie Smith  •  Geraldine Somerville

In 1930’s England, a group of pretentious rich and famous gather together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, each one of these interesting characters becomes a suspect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Helen Mirren  •  Clive Owen  •  Maggie Smith  •  Geraldine Somerville

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

A socially awkward and volatile small business owner meets the love of his life after being threatened by a gang of scammers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Thomas Anderson
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Emily Watson  •  Philip Seymour Hoffman  •  Luis Guzmán

A socially awkward and volatile small business owner meets the love of his life after being threatened by a gang of scammers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Paul Thomas Anderson
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Emily Watson  •  Philip Seymour Hoffman  •  Luis Guzmán

Red Dragon (2002)

ViolentSuspensefulDisturbingDark

Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Ratner
CAST:  Anthony Hopkins  •  Edward Norton  •  Ralph Fiennes  •  Harvey Keitel

Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brett Ratner
CAST:  Anthony Hopkins  •  Edward Norton  •  Ralph Fiennes  •  Harvey Keitel

The Proposition (2005)

Thought provokingViolentDisturbingDark

In 1880s Australia, a lawman offers renegade Charlie Burns a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother, who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Hillcoat
CAST:  Guy Pearce  •  Ray Winstone  •  Emily Watson  •  Danny Huston

In 1880s Australia, a lawman offers renegade Charlie Burns a difficult choice. In order to save his younger brother from the gallows, Charlie must hunt down and kill his older brother, who is wanted for rape and murder. Venturing into one of the Outback's most ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Hillcoat
CAST:  Guy Pearce  •  Ray Winstone  •  Emily Watson  •  Danny Huston

Wah-Wah (2005)

Set at the end of the 1960s, as Swaziland is about to receive independence from United Kingdom, the film follows the young Ralph Compton, at 12, through his parents' traumatic separation, till he's 14.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard E. Grant
CAST:  Gabriel Byrne  •  Emily Watson  •  Julie Walters  •  Nicholas Hoult

Set at the end of the 1960s, as Swaziland is about to receive independence from United Kingdom, the film follows the young Ralph Compton, at 12, through his parents' traumatic separation, till he's 14.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard E. Grant
CAST:  Gabriel Byrne  •  Emily Watson  •  Julie Walters  •  Nicholas Hoult

The Luzhin Defence (2000)

Based upon the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, a chess grandmaster travels to Italy in the 1920s to play in a tournament and falls in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marleen Gorris
CAST:  John Turturro  •  Emily Watson  •  Geraldine James  •  Stuart Wilson

Based upon the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, a chess grandmaster travels to Italy in the 1920s to play in a tournament and falls in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Marleen Gorris
CAST:  John Turturro  •  Emily Watson  •  Geraldine James  •  Stuart Wilson

Hilary and Jackie (1998)

The tragic story of world-renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré, as told from the point of view of her sister, flautist Hilary du Pré-Finzi.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Anand Tucker
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Rachel Griffiths  •  James Frain  •  David Morrissey

The tragic story of world-renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré, as told from the point of view of her sister, flautist Hilary du Pré-Finzi.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Anand Tucker
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Rachel Griffiths  •  James Frain  •  David Morrissey

Metroland (1997)

After ten years absence Toni, Chris's best friend, suddenly reappears in London to bring chaos and doubt into Chris's calm, tranquil, slightly boring, predictable life. Chris starts to remember his carefree youth as a photographer in Paris when he lived with and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philip Saville
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Emily Watson  •  Lee Ross  •  Elsa Zylberstein

After ten years absence Toni, Chris's best friend, suddenly reappears in London to bring chaos and doubt into Chris's calm, tranquil, slightly boring, predictable life. Chris starts to remember his carefree youth as a photographer in Paris when he lived with and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philip Saville
CAST:  Christian Bale  •  Emily Watson  •  Lee Ross  •  Elsa Zylberstein

Trixie (2000)

Passed over at work and numbed after she witnesses a colleague's murder, security guard Trixie Zurbo takes a relatively easy job at a lakefront casino, working undercover keeping an eye out for pickpockets. Trixie meets an assortment of colorful regulars: Kirk ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan Rudolph
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Nick Nolte  •  Dermot Mulroney  •  Nathan Lane

Passed over at work and numbed after she witnesses a colleague's murder, security guard Trixie Zurbo takes a relatively easy job at a lakefront casino, working undercover keeping an eye out for pickpockets. Trixie meets an assortment of colorful regulars: Kirk ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan Rudolph
CAST:  Emily Watson  •  Nick Nolte  •  Dermot Mulroney  •  Nathan Lane

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)

The turbulent personal and professional life of actor Peter Sellers (1925-1980), from his beginnings as a comic performer on BBC Radio to his huge success as one of the greatest film comedians of all time; an obsessive artist so dedicated to his work that neglected ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Hopkins
CAST:  Geoffrey Rush  •  Charlize Theron  •  Emily Watson  •  John Lithgow

The turbulent personal and professional life of actor Peter Sellers (1925-1980), from his beginnings as a comic performer on BBC Radio to his huge success as one of the greatest film comedians of all time; an obsessive artist so dedicated to his work that neglected ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Hopkins
CAST:  Geoffrey Rush  •  Charlize Theron  •  Emily Watson  •  John Lithgow

The Boxer (1997)

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Daniel Day-Lewis  •  Brian Cox  •  Emily Watson  •  Lorraine Pilkington

Nineteen-year-old Danny Flynn is imprisoned for his involvement with the I.R.A. in Belfast. He leaves behind his family and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend, Maggie Hamill. Fourteen years later, Danny is released from prison and returns to his old working class ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Daniel Day-Lewis  •  Brian Cox  •  Emily Watson  •  Lorraine Pilkington

Separate Lies (2005)

Following a traffic accident, things take a turn when the victim's identity is revealed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julian Fellowes
CAST:  Tom Wilkinson  •  Emily Watson  •  Rupert Everett  •  Hermione Norris

Following a traffic accident, things take a turn when the victim's identity is revealed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Julian Fellowes
CAST:  Tom Wilkinson  •  Emily Watson  •  Rupert Everett  •  Hermione Norris

Miss Potter (2006)

Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", struggles for love, happiness and success.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Noonan
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Emily Watson  •  Barbara Flynn

Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", struggles for love, happiness and success.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Noonan
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Emily Watson  •  Barbara Flynn

The Theory of Everything (2014)

PowerfulInspiringDramaticEmotional

The Theory of Everything is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Marsh
CAST:  Felicity Jones  •  Emily Watson  •  Harry Lloyd  •  David Thewlis

The Theory of Everything is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Marsh
CAST:  Felicity Jones  •  Emily Watson  •  Harry Lloyd  •  David Thewlis
2 3 4