Shaping culture and breaking barriers
'Pride & Prejudice' (2005), 'The Duchess' (2008), and 'Anna Karenina' (2012) are just three films that have earned Keira Knightley a reputation as the "Queen of Period Pieces," such is her effortless portrayal of heroines in historical dramas.
Known, of course, for her role as Hermione Granger in the 'Harry Potter' film series, Emma Watson has also won acclaim for her portrayal as Meg March in 'Little Women' (2019).
Felicity Jones has appeared in a number of films where she's played cultured and educated women of standing. These include 'Northanger Abbey' (2007) and 'Brideshead Revisited' (2008). In 2014, she portrayed Jane Wilde Hawking in the film 'The Theory of Everything,' a biopic charting the life and love between Wilde Hawking and the world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking.
Susannah York was a familiar face on the big screen and in theater and television in the 1960s and early 1970s. She played the titular character in the TV movie 'Jane Eyre' (1970), and Maria Fitzherbert, the clandestine wife of the future George IV, in 'Prince Regent' (1979).
Helena Bonham Carter's early period roles saw her typecast as a virginal "English rose," a label she was uncomfortable with. However, films like 'A Room with a View' (1985), 'Lady Jane' (1986), and 'Howards End' (1992) proved huge successes. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 'The King's Speech' (2010) was especially acclaimed.
Once billed as Britain's youngest "prima donna," Julie Andrews in considered one of England's national acting treasures. She made her feature film debut in 'Mary Poppins' (1964) as the magical and loving nanny. She, of course, is especially remembered for 'The Sound of Music' (1965), though her character, Maria von Trapp, is Austrian.
A major name in Hollywood throughout the 1950s, Jean Simmons began her career as a "well-spoken young starlet" before maturing into roles such as Ophelia in 'Hamlet' (1948) and as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Young Bess' (1953).
She's known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy television series 'Game of Thrones' (2011–2019), but Emilia Clarke has also turned heads on the big screen, notably in the romantic drama 'Me Before You' (2016). She's set to play the English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning in the film 'Let Me Count the Ways,' which is currently in pre-production.
Sophie Turner has also appeared in 'Game of Thrones' (2011–2019), as Sansa Stark. Elsewhere, among other roles, the actress has appeared in the British television film 'The Thirteenth Tale' (2013) opposite Vanessa Redgrave.
Deborah Kerr actually hailed from Scotland and made her name playing the cultured and debonair Anna Leonowens in the musical 'The King and I' (1956) opposite Yul Brynner. Incidentally, Kerr was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and holds the record for an actress most nominated in the lead actress category without winning.
It was in theater appearing in Shakespeare plays and later on television, in productions that included 'A Rather English Marriage' (1998) and the period drama miniseries 'Wives and Daughters' (1999), that Rosamund Pike cut her acting teeth. Her big screen appearances include 'Pride & Prejudice' (2005), alongside Keira Knightley.
Born in British India, Vivien Leigh will always be remembered for her definitive performance as Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind' (1939). But her career also included portraying classic Shakespearean characters such as Ophelia, Cleopatra, Juliet, and Lady Macbeth.
Early television roles for Jenna Coleman included playing Queen Victoria in the period drama 'Victoria,' the first series of which aired in 2016.
Natascha McElhone began her career in the theater, with starring roles in 'Richard III' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Shakespeare is close to her heart: in 2013, she costarred in an adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet' as Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet. In 2015, McElhone starred as Sarah Churchill in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Helen Edmundson's 'Queen Anne.'
Former Bond girl Gemma Arterton made her professional stage debut in 2007 playing Rosaline in Shakespeare's 'Love's Labour's Lost' at London's Globe Theatre. After she appeared in 'Quantum of Solace' (2008), Arterton played Elizabeth Bennet in the British television serial, 'Lost in Austen,' a fantasy adaptation of the 1813 novel 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen.
British television audiences will recognize Holliday Grainger from the Showtime series 'The Borgias' (2011) and as Estella in the 2012 film adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1861 novel 'Great Expectations.'
Emma Thomson is one of Britain's most acclaimed actresses. An early television appearance was in 'Fortunes of War' (1988). She won acclaim for her work in the period drama 'Howards End' (1992) and in 'Sense and Sensibility' (1995), based on Jane Austen's 1811 novel of the same name.
Known for her work in period dramas and an early "corseted English rose persona," Kate Winslet's movie credits in the genre include 'Sense and Sensibility' (1995) and 'Jude' (1996).
The wonderfully named Tuppence Middleton made her screen breakthrough in the historical drama 'The Imitation Game' (2014). She appeared later in cinema's 'Downton Abbey' (2019) and in television as Miss Havisham in 'Dickensian' (2015–2016). Of course, many lovers of television will recognize her from 'Sense8' (2015–2018).
The mid-1960s onward saw Jacqueline Bisset appear in movies on both sides of the Atlantic. She nurtured her prim English persona in 'Murder on the Orient Express' (1974 film). Now for a bit of trivia: Bisset is godmother to actress Angelina Jolie.
Widely known for the roles of eccentric and well-spoken Cathy Gale in the British television series 'The Avengers' (1962–1964) and as the iconic Bond girl in 'Goldfinger' (1964), Honor Blackman appeared in a string of classic 1950's British films. In 2005, she returned to theater in productions that included 'My Fair Lady.'
Well known to British and American television audiences as Alexis Colby in the hugely successful soap opera 'Dynasty' (1981–1989), Joan Collins initially became known for her "bad girl" roles. She still managed, however, to convey a charming innocence in the historical dramas and musicals she appeared in.
Born in British India, Joanna Lumley is a very familiar face on British television, and has one of the most recognized voices in the UK. As such she has specialized in playing upper class parts in numerous plays and small screen dramas. But younger fans will remember her best for her role as Patsy Stone on the 'Absolutely Fabulous' series and specials (1992–2012) and 'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie' (2016).
Sarah Miles began her career in the early 1960s, but achieved her greatest success in the 1970s and '80s with films like 'Ryan's Daughter' (1970), 'White Mischief' (1987), and 'Hope and Glory' (1987).
Daughter of British actor Sir John Mills (1908–2005), Hayley Mills' innocent, childlike charm won her early plaudits as a promising newcomer in British cinema. She appeared in six Walt Disney-produced films before appearing in more mature roles. She is another actress on this list that on stage has appeared as Anna Leonowens in 'The King and I.'
Sources: (TV Tropes)
See also: On-screen couples with great chemistry
The "English rose" personified, Jane Seymour achieved international fame in her role as Bond girl Solitaire in 'Live and Let Die' (1973). The film opened the door to Hollywood. It also launched her highly successful US television career.
Her leading performance as Lady Mary Crawley in the British television period drama series 'Downton Abbey' (2010–2015) made good use of Michelle Dockery's training as a classical actress. The show's success advanced her Hollywood career, though she returned to her groundbreaking role in the 2019 film adaptation of 'Downton Abbey.'
The curtain went up on Tamsin Egerton's career as a child actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She later appeared in 'Chalet Girl' (2011) alongside Felicity Jones. In the same year, she portrayed Guinevere in the historical fantasy drama series 'Camelot.'
Critically acclaimed for her performances in several British television appearances, Andrea Riseborough has also made her mark in theater productions, including August Strindberg's 'Miss Julie' and Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure.' She's now regularly seen on the big screen.
An "English rose" is broadly defined as a nostalgic idea of a beautiful and elegant young English lady. The representation has been borrowed by the entertainment industry to describe a celebrity—more often than not an actress—who possesses a certain type of modest, natural beauty, and is well-educated and well-spoken. These qualities are well suited to female stars of film, stage, and television who are predisposed to roles in period and costume dramas where composure and dignity are the requirements of proper social etiquette. So, who has what it takes to be an English rose?
Click through this gallery and take a look at those actresses who have blossomed in the role.
Be charmed by these celebrity 'English roses'
These actresses possess the ideal qualities to play the part of an English rose
CELEBRITY England
An "English rose" is broadly defined as a nostalgic idea of a beautiful and elegant young English lady. The representation has been borrowed by the entertainment industry to describe a celebrity—more often than not an actress—who possesses a certain type of modest, natural beauty, and is well-educated and well-spoken. These qualities are well suited to female stars of film, stage, and television who are predisposed to roles in period and costume dramas where composure and dignity are the requirements of proper social etiquette. So, who has what it takes to be an English rose?
Click through this gallery and take a look at those actresses who have blossomed in the role.