Miranda Raison

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5 Mar 2024

Miranda Raison

Miranda Caroline Raison is a versatile British and French actress known for her notable roles in both television and theater. One of her most prominent television roles was portraying Jo Portman in the acclaimed series "Spooks" (known as "MI5" in some regions), where she appeared for five seasons. Additionally, Raison gained recognition for her portrayal of Nellie Davenport in HBO's "Warrior."

In the realm of theater, Raison originated the title role in Howard Brenton's play "Anne Boleyn" at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, showcasing her talent and versatility on the stage. Her performance in this role garnered critical acclaim, further establishing her as a formidable presence in the theater world. Furthermore, she received praise for her portrayal of Hermione in Kenneth Branagh's production of "The Winter's Tale," demonstrating her ability to tackle diverse and challenging roles with finesse.
Aside from her on-screen and stage performances, Raison is also known for her work as a prolific voice artist, lending her talents to various projects across different mediums. Through her multifaceted career, Miranda Caroline Raison has established herself as a respected and versatile talent in the entertainment industry.

Miranda Caroline Raison was born in Burnham Thorpe, the daughter of former Anglia News reader Caroline Raison (née Harvey) and jazz pianist Nick Raison. Her upbringing was marked by her parents' divorce when she was just five years old. Raison attended multiple boarding schools during her youth, including Gresham's School, Felixstowe College, and Stowe School, with her education financed by her grandfather. It was at Felixstowe College where she developed a passion for acting, having transferred there after facing bullying at her previous school.
Raison pursued formal training in acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, honing her skills and preparing for a career in the performing arts. Her upbringing and educational experiences undoubtedly shaped her journey toward becoming a successful actress in both television and theater.

Miranda Caroline Raison's career in theater has been rich and diverse, showcasing her versatility as an actress across various roles and productions. Here are some highlights:

2002–2003: Raison appeared as the love interest in a minimalist production of "Ben-Hur" at the Battersea Arts Centre. Later in 2003, she featured in "Pains of Youth" at the same venue, portraying the death-obsessed bisexual Desiree. Her performance was praised by Lyn Gardner of The Guardian.
2010: Raison took on the title role in "Anne Boleyn," a new play by Howard Brenton, premiering at Shakespeare's Globe to critical acclaim. She also played Anne Boleyn in William Shakespeare's "Henry VIII" during the same season.
2011: She appeared as Ann in the short play "Oliver Lewis" by Jack Thorne as part of the series of plays "66 Books" at the Bush Theatre.
June/July 2012: Raison appeared in "The Physicists: A Comedy in Two Acts" at the Donmar Warehouse, playing the roles of Lina Rose and Monika Settler.
October 2012: She starred in "The River," a new play by Jez Butterworth, at the Royal Court Theatre alongside Dominic West. The production received rave reviews, making tickets highly sought after.
2013–2014: Raison portrayed Anne Faulkner in the theatrical version of "Strangers on a Train" at the Gielgud Theatre, produced by Barbara Broccoli.
January–February 2015: She starred opposite Shaun Evans in "Hello/Goodbye" at the Hampstead Theatre.
August 2015: Raison joined the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company in "The Winter's Tale" and "Harlequinade" at the Garrick Theatre, playing the wife of Kenneth Branagh's character in both plays. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, especially considering a previous unsuccessful audition with Branagh in 2011 for "Macbeth," and enjoyed learning from Judi Dench.

These theater credits reflect Raison's talent and dedication to her craft, as well as her ability to tackle diverse roles across different genres and styles of performance.

Raison's initial appearance in cinema in 2000 saw her embodying Marianne Faithfull in Suzy Q alongside Carice Van Houten.
By 2004, Raison landed the role of 'Heather' in Match Point, marking Woody Allen's inaugural venture in London.
In 2005, she featured in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, an experience she likened to enduring a Lars von Trier film's brutality. Reflecting on it, she admitted to spending a night in tears, labeling it a "hideous moment" driven by her own lapse in judgment.
Raison's breakout came with her portrayal of Jo Portman (2005–2009) in the BBC One series Spooks (MI-5), a tenure she concluded in 2009 to pursue theatrical prospects, feeling her character had reached its limit.

April 2007 witnessed her appearance in Doctor Who episodes "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution of the Daleks" as Tallulah, a showgirl who showcased her vocal talent with a musical number accompanied by her father playing piano for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
In 2009, she graced Plus One, initially featured in the Comedy Showcase pilot in 2007 donning a fat suit.
Following her departure from Spooks in 2010, Raison assumed the role of Abbey, a model, in ITV1's comedy-drama Married Single Other.

A cameo in My Week with Marilyn in a minor role allowed Raison to collaborate with esteemed British talents and indulge her fascination with Marilyn Monroe.
2012 marked her portrayal of DI Georgina Dixon in the second series of Vexed on BBC2.
2013 saw her as 'Harriet Hammond' in the third series of the BBC legal drama Silk, bringing a fresh dynamic to the firm and potentially romancing her former Spooks co-star Rupert Penry-Jones' character.
In 2014, she played "Stella", the lead interrogator in the "Tactical Questioning" segment of I Am Soldier.

July 2014 brought news of her joining the cast of Spotless, a drama produced by Canal+.
2018 witnessed Raison reprising her role as ‘Sylvie’ in 6 episodes of Dark Heart, embodying xenobiologist ‘Tessia’ in 6 episodes of Nightflyers, and making an appearance in Artemis Fowl.
May 2019 announced Raison's inclusion in the main cast of Warrior for its second season.
September 2021 revealed Raison's involvement in the first series of Sister Boniface Mysteries as Ruth Penny, a character integral across all ten episodes.
She returned as 'Nellie Davenport' for the third season of Warrior, airing on HBO in July 2023.
April 2023 saw her casting as Jean Seberg in L'Enchanteur opposite Charles Berling as Romain Gary, set to air on France 2 in 2024.