Rachael Stirling Biography

Fast Facts

• Was named one of the Shooting Stars of European film in 1999 by the European Film Promotion
• Works with The Butterfly Literacy School and raises money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer's Too Many Women campaign
• Was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "The Priory" in 2010
• Graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in Art History
• Her first role was on the stage, playing the role of Desdemona in the National Youth Theatre's revival of "Othello" in 1995
• Quote: "You don't become a better actress by becoming more isolated as a person․ I think you have to go out there and experience life and shake it up a bit․"
• Best known for her role as Nan Astley in "Tipping the Velvet," as Anna in "Snow White and the Huntsman," and as Mary Jones in "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen․"
• Said she wished she had asked her mother, Dame Diana Rigg, for advice about dealing with the aftermath of appearing in "Tipping the Velvet," since she faced a similar backlash from her portrayal of Emma Peel in the 1960s TV series "The Avengers․"
• Took a job as a barmaid and left acting temporarily in 2011 after splitting up with her fiancé, Oliver Chris
• Appeared opposite her mother, Dame Diana Rigg, for the first time in the 2013 "Doctor Who" episode "The Crimson Horror," which show writer Mark Gatiss wrote for her after working with her on "The Recruiting Officer․"