Natalie Dormer Biography
Born: February 11, 1982
Date of Birth: February 11, 1982
Born in Reading, Berkshire, England, Natalie Dormer did not have plans to become an actor when she was young. She was the self-described “academic hopeful of [her] family,” who excelled in school and took part in many extra-curricular activities, including studying dance at the Allenova School of Dancing. She had a difficult time getting comfortable in her own skin, confessing to being bullied as a teenager: “School is hard, and I was a late bloomer in finding out who I was and how to be myself.” But acting was seemingly destined for young Natalie.
After failing to secure a place at Cambridge University, she decided she would audition for drama schools and eventually landed a spot at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Six months after graduating, she won the role of Victoria alongside Health Ledger and Sienna Miller in the romantic period comedy Casanova (2005). Her part was originally very small, but director Lasse Hallström was so impressed by her comedic timing that he expanded the role.
Natalie is probably best known for her turn as the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII on the Showtime series The Tudors (2007 to 2010). She received widespread critical acclaim for her role as Anne Boleyn, particularly in the second season. Naturally, it was a role that would only last so long. However, her work as Boleyn opened up many doors for the newcomer, landing roles in films such as City of Life (2009).
Over the next couple of years Natalie starred in a slew of films as well as television shows, including W.E. (2011) directed by Madonna, the BBC’s legal drama Silk and the supernatural drama The Fades. Neither television role lasted longer than a season. Despite this, Natalie landed a role on the popular Sherlock Holmes adaptation Elementary (2012). She then landed her first appearance in a major blockbuster film in 2011, with a small role as Private Lorraine in Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger.
The following couple of years were extremely fortuitous for the rising actress, having earned parts in hugely popular and big-budgeted productions — in both movies and television. First, she landed the much-sought-after role of Margaery Tyrell in HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2011. Then in 2014, it was announced that she would be playing the role of Cressida in the massive novel-turned-movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. In between filming these roles Natalie appeared in various projects, including Ridley Scott’s The Counselor (2013) alongside Michael Fassbender, Ron Howard’s Rush (2013), A Long Way From Home (2013) and The Riot Club (2014).
Natalie's latest films include the reprisal of her role as Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 in November 2015, the horror flick The Forest (2016), and the fantasy thriller Patient Zero (2016).
Natalie has used her quick rise to fame for good, becoming the face of Plan’s Because I Am a Girl campaign, which raises awareness about violence against women and girls. She’s also a supporter of Barnardo’s, a British charity which seeks to help children and their families overcome problems such as abuse, poverty or homelessness.
Natalie began dating writer and director Anthony Byrne in 2011 and they are now engaged.
Filmography:
Patient Zero (2017)The Forest (2016)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
The Riot Club (2014)
The Counselor (2013)
Rush (2013)
A Long Way from Home (2013)
W./E. (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
City of Life (2009)
Flawless (2008)
Casanova (2005)