We all have favourite actors and actresses and for many that includes Keira Knightley.
The star has appeared in beloved movies and earned numerous accolades, from BAFTAs to Golden Globes.
Born in the London suburb of Teddington, Keira was motivated to become an actress after being inspired by her stage actor parents.
She was diagnosed at the age of six but never let that stop her. The actress began performing in musical productions and plays at her school, which included After Juliet, written by her mother.
After appearing in commercials and smaller roles in TV and film, Knightley rose to prominence in the early 2000s.
Her first major role was in the 2001 Walt Disney Productions television film Princess of Thieves, where she played the daughter of Robin Hood.
She has since appeared in some blockbuster movies. Let’s take a look at Kiera’s top 15 roles in film.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Kiera played Elizabeth Swann, the adventurous daughter of a British governor, whose kidnapping by the cursed crew of the Black Pearl drives the film’s plot.
Thankfully, Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, whom she and her father saved from the sea eight years ago, come to her rescue. This action-packed film marks Keira Knightley’s first appearance in the popular fantasy franchise.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Many of us can probably recite lines from this iconic film by heart. Starring Kiera Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy, this adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice follows their journey of love as Elizabeth breaks through the emotional barriers Darcy has built around himself.
When Elizabeth first meets Darcy, she is less than impressed by his cold demeanor and words. However, she soon learns that there is a reason for him being the way he is and discovers more about him, despite vowing never to marry him. But as fate would have it, that isn’t the case. The film also stars Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Judi Dench, and Simon Woods in key roles.
Atonement (2007)
Another popular movie Keira has starred in, Atonement, is about the life of Briony Tallis, a young girl who makes a life-changing mistake. She witnesses a series of events she doesn’t fully understand, Briony accuses her sister’s boyfriend, Robbie Turner, of a crime he didn’t commit. This accusation sends Robbie to prison and causes a rift between him and Cecilia, Briony’s sister, played by Keira. There’s lives are thrown into chaos which they have to set straight.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film explores themes of love and betrayal and stars James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, and Vanessa Redgrave.
The Imitation Game (2014)
The movie is based on the life of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst who plays a crucial role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II. The Enigma machine, used by the German military, encoded messages that the Nazis changed daily, making it incredibly difficult to crack. Turing assembles a team to tackle this immense challenge, and Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) emerges as one of the key members who contribute to the effort. Keira Knightley plays Joan Clarke another talented mathematician.
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Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is a classic Christmas movie that follows the lives of eight different couples navigating their relationships during the hectic month leading up to Christmas in London, England. It stars an ensemble cast, including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, and Alan Rickman, among others.
Anna Karenina (2012)
In this iconic film, Kiera plays the lead role of Aristocrat Anna Karenina. Anna is married and has a son, and meets Count Vronsky while visiting her brother. Their passionate affair ultimately leads to heartbreak, scandal, and Anna’s tragic downfall.
Begin Again (2013)
In this underrated romance comedy, Kiera plays Gretta, a songwriter, whose devastated after her boyfriend breaks up with her. While her life may seem bleak, it quickly turns out for the better when she meets a music producer named Dan (portrayed by Mark Ruffalo). They go on an adventure and work together on lyrics all over New York city.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, Bend It Like Beckham follows 18-year-old Jesminder “Jess” Bhamra (played by Parminder Nagra), who struggles to pursue her passion for football while also balancing the expectations of her Punjabi family. Meanwhile, Keira Knightley plays Jess’s best friend, Juliette “Jules” Paxton, but their friendship is tested when they both fall for the same guy.
The Duchess (2008)
The Duchess is a 2008 historical drama film directed by Saul Dibb and starring Kiera Knightley as Georgiana Spencer. At 17 she is married to the Duke of Devonshire, who only wants her to have his son. Spencer fulfills her obligations as a wife to him but is unhappy.
This film revolves around themes of love, betrayal, scandal, and rape.
Colette (2018)
This film is another one of Kiera Knightley’s masterpieces. It is about a writer (whose name is Colette) and her journey from being a ghostwriter to publishing her own work. The film showcases her journey to fame as well as the challenges Colette faces in a male-dominated world.
Never Let Me Go (2010)
Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley, Never Let Me Go is based on the popular novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The story takes place in England during the 1990s and follows students’ lives at an elite boarding school as they come to learn about their inevitable futures.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
In this apocalyptic film, Steve Carell stars as Dodge and Kiera Knightley as Penny. As the world faces its inevitable end, the two form an unexpected friendship, seeking refuge together in the final moments of their lives.
King Arthur (2004)
In the classic 2004 film King Arthur, Knightley plays one of the main characters, Guinevere. Guineve is a strong female and the love interest of Arthur. She is portrayed as a warrior in her own right, rather than the traditional damsel in distress.
The Edge of Love (2008)
The Edge of Love is a fun film to watch. It’s about a woman named Vera Philips (Kiera Knightley) as she falls in love with an ex who is married. But things turn complicated when she meets William (Cillian Murphy), an officer, she starts liking him.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) follows a young CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, who uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy. Thrust into the field, Ryan must use his skills to prevent the attack while dealing with the danger and complexities of international espionage. Keira Knightley plays Cathy Muller, Jack Ryan’s fiancée.