Emily Mortimer
Emily Mortimer | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 6, 1971 Hammersmith, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, filmmaker |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | The Newsroom, Lovely & Amazing, Howl's Moving Castle, The Pursuit of Love |
Emily Kathleen Anne Mortimer (born 6 October 1971) is an actress and filmmaker holding both British and American citizenship. She launched her career on stage before moving into film and television. In 2003, she received an Independent Spirit Award for her performance in Lovely and Amazing. Mortimer gained widespread recognition for her role as Mackenzie McHale in the HBO drama The Newsroom (2012–2014). Additionally, she co-created and co-wrote the series Doll & Em (2014–2015) and both wrote and directed the miniseries The Pursuit of Love (2021), for which she was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her prominent film roles include providing the English voice for Sophie in Howl's Moving Castle (2004) and starring in titles such as Scream 3 (2000), Match Point (2005), The Pink Panther (2006) alongside its sequel (2009), Lars and the Real Girl (2007), Chaos Theory (2008), Harry Brown (2009), Shutter Island (2010), Cars 2 (2011), Hugo (2011), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), and Relic (2020).
Early life and education
Born on 6 October 1971 in Hammersmith, London, Mortimer is the daughter of Sir John Mortimer, a dramatist and barrister, and his second wife Penelope (née Gollop). She has a younger sister named Rosie; two older half-siblings, Sally Silverman and Jeremy, from her father's first marriage; as well as a half-brother, Ross Bentley, from Sir John's relationship with actress Wendy Craig.
She attended St Paul's Girls' School in west London, where she took part in numerous student theatrical productions. Mortimer pursued Russian studies at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, also engaging in university drama performances. Before embarking on her professional acting career, she contributed a column to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a screenwriter adapting Lorna Sage's memoir Bad Blood.
1995–2008: Early roles and rising acclaim
Mortimer's acting journey began at the University of Oxford, where a student play led to her discovery and casting as the lead in the television adaptation of Catherine Cookson's The Glass Virgin (1995). Her initial screen appearances included roles in Sharpe's Sword (1995), Coming Home (1998), and the movie Lord of Misrule (1996). She made her feature film debut opposite Val Kilmer in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) and also featured in The Last of the High Kings. In 1997, Mortimer starred in the pilot episode of Midsomer Murders.
Her portrayal of Kat Ashley in Elizabeth (1998) alongside her role in the mini-series adaptation of Cider with Rosie, scripted by her father, helped raise her profile. The following year, she appeared as the "Perfect Girl" in Notting Hill, Esther in Noah's Ark, and Angelina in Scream 3.
In 2000, Mortimer played Katherine in Kenneth Branagh's musical version of Love's Labour's Lost, where she met Alessandro Nivola, who would become her husband. That year also saw her acting opposite Bruce Willis in Disney's The Kid. Her role as Elizabeth in Lovely & Amazing (2001) earned her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 2002, she portrayed an assassin alongside Samuel L. Jackson in The 51st State, although the film did not perform well commercially.
She continued with parts in British dramas such as Bright Young Things (2003), receiving acclaim for playing Nina Blount, as well as appearing in the critically praised film Young Adam. She was also featured in The Sleeping Dictionary (2003).
Mortimer’s leading role in the drama film Dear Frankie (2004) was met with positive reviews for its emotional depth. She provided the English voice for young Sophie in ‘‘Howl's Moving Castle’’ (2004). In Woody Allen’s thriller ‘‘Match Point’’ (2005), she portrayed Chloe Wilton; the movie earned $85 million globally. She took on the role of Nicole Durant in ‘‘The Pink Panther’’ (2006).
In 2007, Mortimer appeared in ‘‘Lars and the Real Girl’’, garnering favorable critiques. She starred opposite Ryan Reynolds in the comedy ‘‘Chaos Theory’’ (2008), which received mixed reactions. That same year, she acted in the thriller ‘‘Transsiberian’’, praised particularly for her nuanced performance. In 2009, she portrayed attorney Laura Black in David Mamet’s martial arts drama ‘‘Redbelt’’, earning positive critical attention.
Mortimer reprised her role as Nicole Durant in ‘‘The Pink Panther 2’’ (2009), a film that was poorly received by critics. Additionally, she appeared as Phoebe across three episodes during season one of ‘‘30 Rock’’.
2009–2019: Advancement in Film Career
In Daniel Barber’s thriller Harry Brown (2009), Mortimer took on the role of detective Alice Frampton, preparing for the part by researching police interrogation methods. Her performance, described as "compassionate and astute," was well-received alongside co-star Michael Caine.
She portrayed an aspiring actress opposite Andy García in City Island (2009). While the film itself garnered positive feedback, some critics viewed her role as underdeveloped. In Martin Scorsese’s thriller Shutter Island (2010), Mortimer played Rachel Solando; despite mixed critical opinions about the film’s excitement and her utilization, it achieved a global box office of $294 million. That same year, she embodied American educator Leonie Gilmour in the biographical drama Leonie, earning acclaim for a "remarkable performance."
Mortimer appeared as Liz in Our Idiot Brother (2011) and featured in Scorsese’s Hugo, which won Academy Awards but had modest commercial success. Also in 2011, she began portraying Mackenzie McHale on HBO’s Aaron Sorkin-created series The Newsroom. While the show received mixed reviews initially, it improved over time, and Mortimer’s acting was consistently praised despite some criticism of her character’s writing.
In 2013, she co-created and starred with Dolly Wells in the comedy series Doll & Em for Sky Living.
By 2017, Mortimer took the lead role of Sarah Ford in the drama The Sense of an Ending, earning positive remarks for her vibrant portrayal. That year also saw her as the pregnant Jinny in The Party, which debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival to favorable reviews.
She headlined as Florence Green in The Bookshop, an adaptation of Penelope Fitzgerald’s novel; critics lauded her nuanced performance. The film earned $12 million worldwide.
In lesser-known films, Mortimer played a member of high society in Write When You Get Work (2018) and appeared as Matt Dillon’s spouse in the family drama Head Full of Honey, which was poorly received by critics. She also joined Disney’s musical fantasy sequel Mary Poppins Returns (2018), a commercial hit that highlighted her "engaging" performance.
In 2019, Mortimer starred as Julia Price, a reclusive author, in Good Posture', directed by Dolly Wells; although her screen time was limited, her performance drew praise. She also appeared in Greg Kinnear’s comedy Phil and acted opposite Gary Oldman in the horror film Mary, both of which faced negative critical reception.
2020–present: Recent Projects and Television
In 2020, Mortimer featured alongside Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote in the horror film Relic, with reviewers commending her portrayal of a work-driven mother as "outstanding." She also took on the role of Sharon in the sci-fi series Don't Look Deeper.
In 2021, she wrote, directed, and starred in the miniseries The Pursuit of Love, garnering a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Additionally, she succeeded Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Brown in the forthcoming film Paddington in Peru'.
Personal life
Mortimer met American actor Alessandro Nivola while filming Love's Labour's Lost in 2000; they married on 3 January 2003. The couple has two children: son Sam Nivola (born September 2003) and daughter May (born 2010). After living in Notting Hill, they moved to Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Mortimer obtained U.S. citizenship in 2010.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Organization | Award Category | Project | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Lovely & Amazing | Template:Nom |
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Female | Template:Won | ||
| Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Musical | Template:Nom | ||
| 2004 | Empire Awards | Best British Actress | Young Adam | Template:Nom |
| London Film Critics' Circle | British Supporting Actress of the Year | Template:Nom | ||
| 2005 | British Actress of the Year | Dear Frankie | Template:Nom | |
| 2007 | Detroit Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Lars and the Real Girl | Template:Nom |
| Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical | Template:Nom | ||
| 2009 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress | 'Transsiberian' | 'Template:Nom' |
| 2018 | Goya Awards | Best Actress | The Bookshop | Template:Nom |
| 2022 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Pursuit of Love | Template:Nom |