Celebrity Info
Anna Madeley is an English actress who initially rose to prominence through her work on stage before making a successful transition into film and television. Born on March 8, 1976, in London, England, Madeley began acting while still a student at North London Collegiate School. Her first onscreen appearance came at the young age of 9 in the film Claudia (1985). After receiving formal training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, she started gaining recognition in British television, with appearances in shows like Cold Feet (ITV, 1997–2003, 2016–), Dad (BBC1, 1997–1998), and An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (ITV, 1997–2001).
Madeley also enjoyed a fruitful association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing with them during the 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 seasons. During that time, she shared the stage with the esteemed Sir Anthony Sher in a production of The Roman Actor. The following year proved to be particularly busy and successful for Madeley on the stage, as she appeared in three off-West End productions in 2005 alone—Colder Than Here, The Philanthropist, and The Cosmonaut’s Last Message. To wrap up the year, she took on the roles of Aaron and Young Alexander Ashbrook in the Royal National Theatre’s production of Coram Boy.
In the years that followed, Madeley returned her focus to television, starring in BBC TV original films such as The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton (2006) and Aftersun (2006), as well as the controversial ITV drama The Outsiders (2006). She made a guest appearance on the crime drama Consent (Channel 4, 2007) before returning to the stage, stepping in last minute to play Nina in a production of The Seagull when the original actress had to withdraw due to health reasons.
In 2008, Madeley took on a small but memorable role in playwright Martin McDonagh’s debut feature film In Bruges. The following year, she made her Broadway debut by reprising her role in The Philanthropist, becoming the only original cast member to appear in the revival. She then co-starred in the historical drama The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010), which explored the life of Britain’s so-called “first modern lesbian.”
In 2013, Anna Madeley made a chilling return to the stage as part of the first-ever theatrical production from the iconic horror studio Hammer Films—an adaptation of The Turn of the Screw. After a successful run as Elizabeth Proctor in the Old Vic’s revival of The Crucible in 2014, Madeley landed one of her most significant roles to date: portraying Clarissa Eden in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown (2016–), a performance that further solidified her status as a versatile and accomplished actress across stage and screen.
So, when it comes to Anna Madeley’s filmography, things get a bit interesting. Anna Madeley has been part of several projects over the years, but if we’re talking about critical reception, one standout is definitely In Bruges from 2008—that’s widely considered her highest rated movie. It’s a dark comedy with great performances all around, and Anna Madeley’s role contributes nicely to the overall tone. On the flip side, Anna Madeley also appeared in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms back in 2018, which ended up being her lowest rated film. While it had big production value and a star-studded cast, the movie didn’t quite resonate with critics or audiences the same way. So overall, Anna Madeley’s career includes both high points and a few missteps, but her involvement in a cult favorite like In Bruges certainly adds a strong highlight to her resume.
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