Emerald Fennell

Emerald Lilly Fennell, born on October 1, 1985, is a multitalented English actress, filmmaker, and writer. Throughout her career, she has garnered significant acclaim and recognition, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and nominations for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
Fennell initially gained attention for her roles in period films such as "Albert Nobbs" (2011), "Anna Karenina" (2012), and "The Danish Girl" (2015). However, it was her starring role in the BBC One drama series "Call the Midwife" (2013–2017) and her portrayal of Camilla Parker-Bowles in the Netflix drama series "The Crown" (2019–2020) that propelled her to prominence. Her performance in "The Crown" earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.


In addition to her acting career, Fennell has made significant contributions as a writer and director. She served as the showrunner for season two of the BBC spy thriller series "Killing Eve" (2019), which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Fennell made her feature film directorial debut with the critically acclaimed thriller "Promising Young Woman" (2020), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and received nominations for Best Picture and Best Director.
Furthermore, Fennell showcased her writing talent by penning the book for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cinderella" (2021). She continued her directorial pursuits with her second film, the psychological thriller "Saltburn" (2023).
Emerald Fennell's versatile talents and creative contributions have established her as a significant figure in the entertainment industry, earning her widespread acclaim and accolades from audiences and critics alike.


Emerald Fennell was born in Hammersmith, London, to parents Theo Fennell, a renowned jewellery designer, and Louise Fennell (née MacGregor), an author. Her sister, Coco Fennell, is also notable as a fashion designer. Fennell's upbringing was amidst creativity and culture, with her family deeply involved in the arts.
Her 18th birthday was a notable event documented by the British high-society magazine Tatler, attended by prominent figures such as socialite Poppy Delevingne, Lady Alexandra Gordon Lennox (the daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond), and Alice Rugge-Price (the great-granddaughter of the 7th Rugge-Price baronet). This event offers a glimpse into Fennell's upbringing within a privileged and socially connected circle.


For her education, Fennell attended Marlborough College, a prestigious private school located in Marlborough, Wiltshire. She then pursued her higher education at Greyfriars, Oxford, where she studied English and actively participated in university plays. Her time at Oxford exposed her to a social environment characterized by privilege and aristocracy, as noted by journalist K.J. Yossman, who described Fennell's social circle as "rarefied" and comprised of families with notable names from history and gossip columns.
During her time at Oxford, Fennell's talent caught the attention of Lindy King from United Agents, marking the beginning of her journey into the entertainment industry. This connection paved the way for Fennell to explore her passion for acting, writing, and filmmaking, ultimately leading to her successful career in the arts.


Emerald Fennell began her acting career in 2007 with a role in an episode of the crime drama series Trial & Retribution. She then ventured into writing, co-producing a film script titled Chukka in 2008, a romantic comedy focusing on a group of teenagers fighting to prevent the closure of their school by challenging the wealthy students in a polo match. This project, co-produced by Madeleine Lloyd Webber, showcased Fennell's early talent as a writer.
In subsequent years, Fennell continued to balance her acting and writing pursuits. She appeared as a guest star in episodes of the comedy drama New Tricks and the period drama Any Human Heart in 2010. Additionally, she made her feature film debut in the crime drama Mr Nice the same year.


Fennell's career gained momentum with her role as Agnes in the Channel 4 sitcom Chickens, which aired from 2011 to 2013. Starring alongside Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, and Jonny Sweet, Fennell showcased her comedic skills in this popular series.
During this period, Fennell also secured supporting roles in several notable period drama films, including Albert Nobbs (2011) and Anna Karenina (2012). These projects allowed her to explore different genres and further establish herself as a versatile talent in the entertainment industry.


In 2013, Emerald Fennell expanded her television portfolio with appearances in the comedy series Blandings and the television film The Lady Vanishes. However, it was her starring role as Nurse Patsy Mount in the BBC One period drama series Call the Midwife (2013–2017) that propelled her to prominence. Fennell underwent a physical transformation for the role, dyeing her blonde hair red, and delivered a compelling performance throughout the series' run.
Alongside her acting endeavors, Fennell showcased her writing talent with the publication of her first novel, Shiverton Hall, in January 2013. The children's fantasy novel, released by Bloomsbury Children's Books, received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2014. She followed this success with a sequel titled The Creeper and an adult horror book titled Monsters in September 2015.


uctions such as the period drama film The Danish Girl and the fantasy film Pan in 2015. Her creative versatility was further demonstrated in 2016 when she wrote two episodes of the sitcom Drifters and guest-starred as Lizzie in one episode.
Fennell's collaboration with Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the BBC spy thriller series Killing Eve marked a significant milestone in her career. As head writer for the second season, she contributed six episodes and also served as an executive producer. Her exceptional work on the series earned her nominations for both Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards.


In October 2018, Fennell was announced to portray Camilla Shand in the third season of the Netflix period drama series The Crown. Her portrayal garnered critical acclaim, leading to a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance in the fourth season. These achievements solidified Fennell's reputation as a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.

References

1.  Murphy, Mekado (5 February 2021). "'Promising Young Woman' | Anatomy of a Scene". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
2. ^ "Trending: Actress Emerald Fennell". Tatler. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
3. ^ "All England & Wales, Birth Index, 1916-2005 results for Emerald Fennell". www.ancestry.com.au. 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
4. ^ Gordon, Naomi (25 October 2018). "Who is Emerald Fennell, the actress playing Camilla in The Crown's season 3?". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
5. ^ "Coco Fennell online fashion boutique". timeout.com. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
6. a b "I AM...Emerald Fennell". the-pool.com. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
7. ^ Bystander (26 April 2021). "As Emerald Fennell wins a gong at the Oscars, Tatler looks back at her 18th birthday party". TATLER. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
8. ^ "Who is Emerald Fennell and why does she look so familiar? Here's where you recognise the Oscars' golden girl from". Glamour UK. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
9. ^ Yossman, K.J. (December 2023). "'Saltburn's' Critics Are Right — the Film Is Gorgeous, but It Whitewashes the Ugliness of the Upper Classes". Variety. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
10. a b Hoggard, Liz (2 December 2010). "Why Emerald Fennell is the hidden gem in hit drama Any Human Heart". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
11. ^ Marshall, Denise (15 February 2014). "Call The Midwife's Jessica Raine on shock departure". Retrieved 2 March 2014.
12. ^ Methven, Nicola (27 January 2015). "Call The Midwife's Emerald Fennell definitely isn't too posh to push despite privileged background". The Mirror. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
13. ^ Shiverton Hall. Bloomsbury Childrens. January 2013. ISBN 978-1408827789.
14. a b c "Emerald Fennell – Summary Bibliography". ISFDB. Retrieved 14 October 2014.