Elizabeth Debicki

Elizabeth Debicki, born on 24 August 1990, is an Australian actress renowned for her versatility and talent. After honing her skills at the Victorian College of the Arts, she made her cinematic debut in the Australian comedy A Few Best Men (2011). However, it was her role in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby (2013) that catapulted her into the spotlight, earning her the prestigious AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.


Debicki further showcased her prowess in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying the enigmatic Ayesha in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and its sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). She garnered critical acclaim for her captivating performance in Steve McQueen's heist thriller Widows (2018) and was honored with the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival the following year. Additionally, she captivated audiences with her role in Christopher Nolan's mind-bending science fiction thriller Tenet (2020).


In the realm of television, Debicki has left an indelible mark with her appearances in acclaimed series. She graced the Australian series Rake (2014) and garnered widespread acclaim for her starring role in the BBC limited series The Night Manager (2016), earning a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination. Her talent shone brightly in the HBO television film The Tale (2018).
Debicki's career reached new heights with her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Netflix drama series The Crown (2022–2023). Her remarkable performance garnered her numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, Critics Choice Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Elizabeth Debicki's journey in the entertainment industry continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world with her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.


Elizabeth Debicki, originally born with the Polish surname Dębicki ([dɛmˈbʲit͡skʲi]), entered the world on 24 August 1990 in Paris to a Polish father and an Australian mother of Irish descent. Both of her parents shared a background in ballet and met while performing together in a show. When she was five years old, the family relocated to Glen Waverley in Melbourne, Australia. Elizabeth is the eldest among three siblings, having a younger sister and brother.


Her early passion for ballet led her to undergo training as a dancer, but she eventually shifted her focus to theater. While attending Huntingtower School in eastern Melbourne, Elizabeth excelled academically, achieving perfect study scores in Drama and English. She graduated as the school's dux in 2007. Subsequently, in 2010, she earned a degree in drama from the Victorian College of the Arts.
During her time at the Victorian College of the Arts, she received the Richard Pratt Bursary in August 2009, recognizing her outstanding talent as a second-year acting student.


Elizabeth Debicki made her impressive feature film debut in the 2011 Australian film A Few Best Men, where she portrayed a secretary in a brief appearance, marking her first role post-drama school graduation. Her talent caught the eye of director Baz Luhrmann, who, upon viewing her audition reel, invited her to Los Angeles for auditions for his upcoming adaptation of The Great Gatsby. After a successful screen test with actor Tobey Maguire, Luhrmann announced in May 2011 that Debicki had secured the role of Jordan Baker in the film, which was released in 2013. Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, earning her an AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.


In addition to her film work, Debicki made waves in the theater world, notably portraying Madame in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Jean Genet's play The Maids in June to July 2013, alongside Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert. Her stellar performance earned her the Best Newcomer Award at the Sydney Theatre Awards. The play later transferred off-Broadway at the New York City Center in 2014. During this period, she also starred in the short film GÖDEL, incomplete and guest-starred in the third season of the Australian television series Rake.


Debicki's versatility was further showcased in 2015, as she took on supporting roles in three major motion pictures: Guy Ritchie's The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Justin Kurzel's adaptation of Macbeth, and the biographical adventure film Everest. The following year, she graced the stage in the world premiere of David Hare's stage adaptation of Georges Simenon's novel The Man on the Bench in the Barn titled The Red Barn at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in London.
Transitioning to television, Debicki delivered captivating performances in two major television shows in 2016. She portrayed the lead role of Dr. Anna Macy in the Australian series The Kettering Incident and took on the role of Jed in the television miniseries The Night Manager, based on the John le Carré novel of the same name. The show aired in the United States in April 2016.

References

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2. a b "Baz Luhrmann casts VCA graduate Elizabeth Debicki in The Great Gatsby". University of Melbourne. 25 May 2011. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
3. a b Blake, Elissa (19 May 2013). "From Paris with love". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014.
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5. ^ Bakker, Tiffany (9 August 2015). "Aussie starlet Elizabeth Debicki almost missed out on her biggest role yet". Sunday Style. news.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016.
6. a b "New Aussie in Hollywood, Elizabeth Debicki, steals the film in the upcoming spy drama, Man from U.N.C.L.E.". mindfood.com. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
7. ^ Lehmann, Megan (11 May 2013). "Her roaring twenties". The Weekend Australian Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 June 2013.
8. ^ Marriner, Cosima (22 April 2018). "Catching her breath: Why Elizabeth Debicki is moving to London". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
9. a b Rule, Dan (2012). "True Hollywood Story". Melbourne University Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013.
10. ^ Groves, Don (7 May 2012). "The tale of two Elizabeths". Special Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
11. ^ Bowen, Sholto (1 February 2008). "From the Principal". The Huntingtower Bulletin. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013.
12. ^ "2009 Theatre Scholarships announcement including $20 000 Keith and Elisabeth Murdoch Travelling Fellowship". The Melbourne Newsroom. The University of Melbourne. 31 August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010.
13. ^ Hardie, Giles; Hornery, Andrew (20 August 2011). "Leo sweeps into Sydney". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
14. ^ Fleming, Mike (11 May 2011). "Newcomer Elizabeth Debicki To Play Jordan Baker In The Great Gatsby". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.