Ruth Wilson

Born in Ashford in 1982, Ruth Wilson is a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress. On stage, she is best known for her stage performances in *A Streetcar Named Desire* and *Anna Christie*.

While studying at the University of Nottingham, Wilson became involved in the student drama scene. In her undergraduate years, she was compelled to an acting career, later studying at the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA), and graduating in 2005. Shortly after LAMDA, Wilson was cast as the title role in the 2006 series, Jane Eyre, earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in Television. 

In 2007, Wilson made her stage debut in Philistines at the National Theatre. Her breakout stage role came two years later, cast as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse and she won an Olivier Award. Read reviews of A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse starring Ruth Wilson here. 

In 2011, Wilson returned to the Donmar Warehouse for another Olivier-winning performance, this time as the eponymous Anna Christie. Read reviews of Anna Christie at the Donmar Warehouse starring Ruth Wilson here.She’s also been in Broadway shows — making a Tony-nominated Broadway debut in Constellations at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. 

In recent years, Wilson’s been in West End and Broadway productions, including Ivo van Hove’s adaptation of Hedda Gabler and a gender-swapped adaptation of King Lear starring Glenda Jackson. In 2021, she was awarded an MBE for services to drama. 

Wilson’s theatre credits show off a versatile career, and her all-around acting talents are up by her wide-ranging television credits too. In 2010, Wilson was cast as research scientist Alice Morgan in Luther, opposite Idris Elba. She has also played Alison Lockhart in The Affair, Marisa Coulter in His Dark Materials, and Alison Wilson in Mrs Wilson — the latter role is based on her grandmother. 

Wilson will star in a 24-hour play, The Second Woman at the Young Vic in 2023. Find out more about the play.