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Emily Watson Biography

Birth Name:Emily Anita Watson

Birth Place:London, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Often supports the children's non-profit NSPCC and was later inducted into the society's hall of fame for successfully spearheading the campaign to appoint a Children's Commissioner of England
Became one of the few actresses to receive an Oscar nomination for her feature film debut in "Breaking the Waves․"
Graduated from the University of Bristol with an English degree before applying to the Drama Studio in London
Married actor Jack Waters in 1995
Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1992
Quote: "I grew up without a television․ It meant that I read lots of books and entertained myself․ I was taught the value of imagination at an early age․ I developed a good sense of storytelling․"
Quote: "It's such a pleasure going to work, and I love my job, but if I had to give it up tomorrow, I would․ But I can't because I'm the breadwinner and I have to keep going ․․․ I have to find a way of making it all work and putting it all together․"
Began her career working for the Royal Shakespeare Company before transitioning to both film and television
Gained critical acclaim for her debut film performance in 1996's "Breaking the Waves" after Helena Bonham Carter dropped out of production at the last minute
Claims to never correct fans who confuse her with Emma Watson, as she enjoys being confused with the much younger "Harry Potter" star
Learned to play the cello in three months to prepare for her role in "Hilary and Jackie․"

Awards

1996ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1996BSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996European Film Award-European Actress of the Year: winner
1996President Award-Best Actress: winner
1996New Generation Award-: winner
1996NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1997Bodil-Best Actress (Bedste kvindelige hovedrolle): winner
1997CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997CFCA Award-Most Promising Actress: nominated
1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
1997Robert-Best Actress (Årets kvindelige hovedrolle): winner
1997Evening Standard British Film Award-Most Promising Newcomer: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1997ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
1997ALFS Award-British Newcomer of the Year: winner
1997NSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
1999Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1999British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: winner
1999CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
1999Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actress: nominated
1999OFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2000BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2000British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2000IFTA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2000ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
2001ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2001ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2001ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2002Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2002EFA People's Choice Award-Best European Actress: nominated
2002FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2002Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2002OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2002Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2002TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: winner
2003Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003Empire Award-Best British Actress: nominated
2003Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
2003MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2003VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2005British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: winner
2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2005IF Award-Best Actress: nominated
2005Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2006ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2007INOCA-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2007ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2008Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
2009Robert Altman Award-: winner
2011DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2011IF Award-Best Actress: winner
2011Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2011WIN Award-Actress Feature Film: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2012AACTA Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
2012AFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2012BAFTA TV Award-Best Leading Actress: winner
2012Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2012FCCA Award-Best Actress - Leading Role: winner
2012Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: nominated
2012Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2012Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series: winner
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2012RTS Television Award-Actor - Female: winner
2014Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2014Golden FIPA-Fiction: Actress: winner
2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
2017Felix-Best Actress: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2018Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: nominated
2018Emmy-Best Performance by an Actress: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress of the Decade: nominated
2019INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie: nominated
2019Grace Award-Most Inspiring Performance in Television: nominated
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: winner
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
2019Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2019WIN Award-Actress MFT Movie / Mini-Series: nominated
2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2020Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: nominated
2020CinEuphoria-Merit - Honorary Award: winner
2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: nominated
2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2022BAFTA TV Award-Leading Actress: nominated
2022British Independent Film Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
2023IFTA Award-Best International Actress: nominated
2024Silver Berlin Bear-Best Supporting Performance: winner
2025Girls on Film Award-Best Performance in a Supporting Role: nominated
2025IFTA Award-Best International Actress: nominated
2026AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actress in Film: nominated
2026Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2026BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2026CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
2026CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: winner
2026NDFS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated