Miranda Richardson Biography

MIRANDA RICHARDSON

Date of Birth: March 3, 1958

This diverse actress could be easily missed in her roles because of her ability to become the characters she plays. She states, "I would rather do many small roles on TV, stage or film than one blockbuster that made me rich but had no acting. And if that is the choice I have to make, I think I've already made it."

Miranda Richardson comes from Southport in Lancashire (near Liverpool), and has one sister, eight years her senior.

She began performing in school plays at an early age, having shown a talent and desire to 'turn herself into' other people. She has referred to it as 'an emotional fusion; you think yourself into them.'

She went to Southport High School for Girls, but left at the age of 17. A girl with dreams, she originally intended to become a vet and considered studying English literature in college. In the end she decided to concentrate on drama and enrolled at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After three years she graduated and moved into repertory theater.

In 1979, she joined the Library Theatre in Manchester, and there she became an assistant stage manager. She obtained her Equity card, and after several regional productions, first appeared on the London stage (Moving at Queens Theatre) in 1981.

British television and film roles soon followed, ranging from the dramatic A Women of Substance and The Innocent, to the comic half-wit Queen Elizabeth in Blackadder II. Since then, Miranda has moved into the international arena, and has made films in the U.S., France and Spain. Television work (on both sides of the Atlantic) continues, as does stage work.

Her roles are diverse, but powerful and engaging. She has been quoted as stating "what I basically like is doing things I haven't done before" and this continually comes through in the variety of characters she has played in her career. She is also selective in the roles she takes, being uninterested in performing in the standard Hollywood fare, and preferring more offbeat characters. More recently, she starred in the 2014 drama Belle as well as 2017's Churchill and Stronger.

Miranda resides in South London with her two Siamese cats. Her hobbies include drawing, walking, gardening, fashion, falconry, and music. By her own admission she is a loner and lives rather modestly.

Filmography:

Stronger (2017)
Churchill (2017)
Belle (2014)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010)
We Want Sex (2010)
The Young Victoria (2009)
Fred Claus (2007)
Spinning Into Butter (2007)
Puffball (2007)
Southland Tales (2006)
Provoked (2006)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Wah-Wah (2005)
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
The Rage in Placid Lake (2004)
The Prince & Me (2004)
Falling Angels (2003)
Spider (2002)
Get Carter (2000)
Chicken Run (2000)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang (1999)
The King and I (1999) (voice)
The Big Brass Ring (1999)
Johnny Hit and Run Pauline (1999)
St. Ives (1998)
The Designated Mourner (1997)
The Apostle (1997)
Saint-Ex (1997)
Kansas City (1996)
The Evening Star (1996)
Swann (1996)
Tom & Viv (1994)
The Night and the Moment (1994)
Century (1993)
The Line, the Cross & the Curve (1993)
Fatale (1992)
The Crying Game (1992)
Broken Skin (1991)
Enchanted April (1991)
Mio caro dottor Gräsler (1991)
El Bueño del mono loco (1990)
The Fool (1990)
Eat the Rich (1987)
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Dance with a Stranger (1985)
The Innocent (1985)
Underworld (1985)