Top 50 Best British Actresses In Their 30s

Carey Mulligan has been the recipient of a British Academy Film Award and a Critics' Choice Movie Award. She made her feature film debut in 2005's Pride & Prejudice.

The talented actor can be seen in television shows such as Bleak House and Doctor Who. When it comes to the movies, one can find her making her presence felt in titles such as An Education, Never Let Me Go, Drive, and Shame, among others.

For her performance in An Education, the Promising Young Woman star won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

One of the most talented personalities on English television today, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is an actress, screenwriter and producer, who is also the creator, head writer, and star of the comedy series Fleabag.

She won three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a British Academy Television Award for her work on the aforementioned project. Phoebe served as the writer and producer in the spy thriller series Killing Eve, for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations as well.

The multi-faceted Michaela Coel is a Ghanaian-British actress, filmmaker, singer, and composer. While she is best known for creating and starring in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum, she's also appeared in the comedy-drama series I May Destroy You.

Not only did she win the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her role play in the former but she also won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress in 2021 for her performance in the latter.

The Black Mirror actor was the first black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards for I May Destroy You.

Keira Knightley has been a renowned English actress for quite some time now. She made her acting debut in an episode of the show Screen One in 1993.

Noted for her character projections in several period dramas, the star has participated in both independent and big-ticket features throughout her career.

Some of her most noteworthy performances came in motion pictures such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Atonement, Anna Karenina, The Duchess, and Begin Again, to name a few.

Her first role in the 2020s was that of a feminist activist Sally Alexander in Misbehaviour.

While she was seen playing a role in the holiday comedy Silent Night, Blunt delivered one of the better performances of her career playing crime reporter Loretta McLaughlin in 2023's Boston Strangler, which was based on the true story of Boston Strangler murders.

She has received two Academy Award nominations and two BAFTA nominations. 

Claire Elizabeth Foy is a supremely talented screen performer who has been a recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, respectively.

The actress, who was first seen in an episode of the television series Being Human in 2008, gained prominence after having played the young Queen Elizabeth II in the first two seasons of the renowned show The Crown.

She can also be seen in film projects such as Unsane and First Man, among others. For her performance in the latter, she received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.

While Foy was seen playing Margaret Campbell, Dutchess of Argyll in the Amazon Prime series A Very British Scandal, we also saw her playing a part in the 2022 drama film Women Talking.

Emma Watson continues to be a popular name among young adults the world over. She made her feature film debut by playing one of the central protagonists in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Known for her work in both blockbuster and independent projects, the star has been a recipient of a Young Artist Award and three MTV Movie Awards.

She has often made it to Vanity Fair and Forbes magazine's lists of the world's highest-paid actresses. She was found a spot in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2015.

One can find Watson charming her fans in motion pictures such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, Beauty and the Beast, Noah, Little Women, and, of course, the beloved Harry Potter franchise.

In 2022, we saw the popular actress reuniting with the cast members of the beloved Harry Potter franchise for the HBO Max special, titled Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.

That being said, the actress hasn't been seen in a big screen project for a handful of years now because she isn't content with her profession at the moment.

English actress and singer Cynthia Erivo first came to fame after starring in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple from 2015 to 2017. For her performance in the same, the artist ended up winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

While she had her first role in the British series Chewing Gum, she also went on to participate in movies and series such as Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, Harriet, and The Outsider.

For her remarkable performance in the biopic Harriet, Erivo received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Add to that the fact that she also wrote and performed the song "Stand Up" on its soundtrack.

As you'd have guessed, the track fetched her a nomination in the Best Original Song category as well.

In a short span of time, Guyanese-British actress Letitia Wright has gone on to prove herself as a diligent screen performer. Soon after having commenced her career, she was seen making her presence felt in shows such as Top Boy, Coming Up, Chasing Shadows, Humans, Doctor Who, and Black Mirror.

She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role play in the latter. However, she played her breakthrough role in the 2015 film Urban Hymn. Her adroit character projection in the same allowed the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to name her among the 2015 group of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits.

Wright shot to global fame after portraying Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther. She reprised the role in its sequel, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, respectively.

Juno Temple made her acting debut at the age of 11 in the feature film Pandaemonium. She grew into an able screen performer and went on to star in several successful movies and shows.

She has been a part of motion pictures such as Atonement, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Three Musketeers, The Dark Knight Rises, Magic Magic, Maleficent, Black Mass, Unsane, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Last seen playing a significant part in the critically acclaimed sports comedy-drama series Ted Lasso, Temple has also made her magnetic presence felt in shows such as Vinyl and Dirty John.

The exciting and confident Emilia Clarke was first seen making an appearance in the television show Doctors in 2009.

She had appeared in a number of stage productions before making her mainstream debut, and was named one of "UK Stars of Tomorrow" by Screen International magazine after she played a role in the television film Triassic Attack.

Not long after that, she shot to global fame by playing one of the central characters in the smash-hit series Game of Thrones.

Not only did her character projection as the indomitable "Mother of Dragons" win hearts but it also fetched her widespread recognition and four Emmy Award nominations.

Clarke can also be seen in feature films such as Me Before You, Terminator Genisys, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Last Christmas, to name a few.

Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, professionally known as Lily James, made her acting debut on the television show Just William in 2010.

She studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and was seen playing a key role in the series Downtown Abbey.

The actress gained prominence as a motion picture star after having featured as Cinderella in the 2015 movie of the same title.

James has also been a part of films such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Baby Driver, Darkest Hour, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Yesterday, Rebecca, and The Dig, to name a few

Further fame followed as she headlined the 2022 miniseries Pam & Tommy.

Samantha Barks gained prominence after having appeared in a talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything in 2008.

The actress, who made her feature film debut in the popular musical drama Les Misérables, has also been seen making her presence felt in the show Groove High.

She was widely appreciated for her character projection in Les Misérables. In fact, the project fetched her a lot many awards and nominations.

Barks is also known to have released her musical album in the April of 2007.

Tegan Lauren-Hannah Murray, who is best known as Hannah Murray, was first seen playing a role in the television series Marple in 2009.

She gained prominence after having played a role in shows such as Skins and Game of Thrones. One can find her making her presence felt in motion pictures such as God Help The Girl and Bridgend.

Her performance in the latter fetched her the Tribeca Film Festival award for Best Actress.

Imogen Poots was born in Hammersmith, London, England. Her mother is an English-born journalist while her father is a television producer, born in Ireland.

She was first seen in an episode of the television series Casualty in 2004. She gained prominence after playing a part in the post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Weeks Later.

Soon after, the actress was seen making her presence felt in motion pictures such as Jimi: All Is by My Side, The Look of Love, Need for Speed, The Father, and A Long Way Down, among others.

Poots comes across as a natural when she's facing the camera.

Best known for her role in the hit television series Game of Thrones, Nathalie Emmanuel began her career in theatre before appearing in various British TV series. While she began her on-screen career by starring in the soap opera Hollyoaks, she made her feature film debut with Twenty8k.

The British actress gained international recognition for her role as Missandei in Game of Thrones and has since gone on to mark her presence in several blockbuster films such as the Fast & Furious franchise and Army of Thieves.

Known for her thick defined eyebrows, Lily Jane Collins is a British-American actress who was first seen making an appearance on the television series 90210 in 2009.

She started trying her hands at acting and modelling at the dawn of the 21st century and had a breakthrough after playing a role in the sports-drama feature film The Blind Side.

Some of her most popular motion pictures to date are Priest, Abduction, Mirror Mirror, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Stuck in Love, The English Teacher, and Love, Rosie.

For her performance in the Netflix series Emily in Paris, the actress received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

It was announced in 2021 that Collins would be producing and playing a part in a new full-length feature directed by Lena Dunham. It is reportedly about the children's toy Polly Pocket.

That being said, not many people are aware of the fact that she also wrote the column "NY Confidential" for the British magazine Elle Girl.

Katie made her acting debut in the 2009 feature film Fish Tank. She is best known for playing the character of Hayley Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Her debut motion picture opened to fantastic reviews. Not only did it win the Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival but it also won the 2010 BAFTA for Best British Film, and deservingly so.

However, in October 2019, the actress was quoted saying that she has taken a break from acting.

Talulah Riley was first seen in an episode of the television show Poirot in 2003.

She gained prominence after having played a part in motion pictures such as Pride & Prejudice, St Trinian's, St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, The Boat That Rocked, and Inception.

The actress is also known for her portrayal of Angela in the science fiction Western television series Westworld.

A recipient of the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2022, Lashana Lynch gained prominence after portraying Maria Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

She made her film debut in 2012's Fast Girls and is also known for her role as Rosaline Capulet in the period drama series Still Star-Crossed. Add to that the fact that Lashana has also made her presence felt in popular mainstream features such as the James Bond film No Time to Die and The Woman King in the recent past.

We are absolutely aware of the fact that Wunmi Mosaku has been doing exceedingly well of late. The Nigerian-born English actress is best known for her performances in shows such as Moses Jones and Vera.

The actress starred in the fifth series of Luther in 2019, and has been a recipient of the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy.

Wunmi gained further recognition after appearing in HBO's Lovecraft Country and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series Loki.

Jenna-Louise Coleman is a talented English actress who made her acting debut on the television show Emmerdale Farm in 2005.

She is best known for playing key roles in extremely popular shows such as Doctor Who, The Cry, Victoria, and The Serpent, to name a few.

The actress received a lot of nominations and appreciation for being one of the most talented newcomers within the entertainment industry.

Needless to say, Coleman was soon seen making her presence felt in feature films such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Me Before You.

The charismatic Gemma Arterton made her acting debut in the 2007 television movie Capturing Mary.

The actress came to fame after having won an Empire Award for Best Newcomer for her performance in Quantum of Solace.

Since her debut, Gemma has been seen in motion pictures such as The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Tamara Drewe, Clash of the Titans, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, The Escape, and Vita and Virginia.

Even though Sarah Niles made her screen debut more than a decade ago, the mainstream audience was introduced to her through the acclaimed comedy-drama series Ted Lasso. In fact, the show earned her a nomination for an Emmy for her performance as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone.

Besides the aforementioned series, she has also marked her presence in projects such as Mister Eleven, Beautiful People, Thorne: Sleepyhead, Spotless, Catastrophe, Trust Me, I May Destroy You, Trying, Viewpoint, Riches, and The Sandman. Prior to her stint on television, Niles had appeared mainly in theatre productions.

Tamzin Claire Merchant was first seen in a feature film Pride & Prejudice in 2005. The English author, who has written the children's book The Hatmakers, can be seen playing a role in shows such as The Tudors and Salem.

You'd be thrilled to know that she had first played Daenerys Targaryen in the unaired pilot of the smash hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

Kaya Rose Scodelario-Davis, who is known in her professional space as Kaya Scodelario, was first seen in the 2009 feature film Moon.

She rose to prominence after having played the role of Effy Stonem in the E4 teen drama Skins. Further fame came as she appeared in the Maze Runner film series.

One can also find the gorgeous actress making her presence felt in feature films such as Crawl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Wuthering Heights, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.

Jodie Turner-Smith is a British model and actress who made her acting debut on the television show True Blood in 2013.

Based in the United States of America, she is known for her performances in The Last Ship, Nightflyers, Queen & Slim, Without Remorse, and Jett, to name a few.

She received excellent feedback for her portrayal of Queen Anne Boleyn in the television series Anne Boleyn. Smith has also played a part in the metaphysical science fiction drama film After Yang in 2021.

Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley is an English actress and model who made her acting debut in the popular feature film Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2011.

Best known for being one of the faces of the lingerie retailer Victoria's Secret, she has also been seen playing the role of The Splendid Angharad in the hit 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road.

Rosie started her career as a model during her teenage years. While she has campaigned for some of the top fashion brands in the world, one can also find her gracing the covers of several famed magazines.

Jessica Rose Brown Findlay made her feature film debut in the 2011 film Albatross. She is best known for playing the role of Lady Sybil Crawley in the period drama television series Downton Abbey.

She has also been seen making her presence felt in shows such as Harlots, Brave New World, Life After Life, Castlevania, and Jamaica Inn, to mention a few.

Add to that the fact that she also appeared as Abi in an episode of the popular series Black Mirror.

Lauren Marie Socha is an English actress who made her feature film debut in 2008's Summer. She gained recognition after having portrayed Kelly Bailey in the E4 comedy-drama television series Misfits.

For her promising character play in the aforementioned show, she won a well-deserved BAFTA TV Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Lauren can also be seen playing a role in television projects such as The Unloved and Five Daughters, among others.

Anna made her acting debut in the television movie Frenchman's Creek in 1998. She is best known for playing the part of Susan Pevensie in the fantasy film series The Chronicles of Narnia.

Apart from the aforementioned projects, one can also find her making her presence felt in shows such as Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn and Reign.

That said, she has not really been seen consistently on-screen since she appeared in Reign.

Stacy Martin made her feature film debut in the two-part erotic art film Nymphomaniac.

Her brave character projection in the movie earned her nominations for Best Actress from two Danish organizations, the Robert Awards and the Bodil Awards, respectively.

The actress has also played a part in motion pictures such as High-Rise and Tale of Tales.

Martin has also worked as a model. She has been a part of the Rag & Bone Spring 2014 campaign and the Miu Miu 2014 and 2015 Fall and Winter campaigns, respectively.

Annabelle Wallis is a talented English actress and model who was first seen playing a role in the Indian motion picture Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... in 2005.

She rose to prominence after having appeared in shows such as The Tudors, Peaky Blinders, and Pan Am. When it comes to the movies, the beautiful actress can be seen in titles such as The Mummy, Silent Night, and Annabelle, to mention a few.

The Malignant star featured in several short films before moving to London to try her hands in full-length features.

This British actress is best known for playing the role of Sophy Hutton in the BBC One period drama Cranford, which was her debut television project.

She can also be seen in feature films such as Wild Child, Hunky Dory, and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, to mention a few.

Furthermore, Nixon has played a part in television series such as Kidnap and Ransom, Hebburn, Critical, and Fresh Meat, among others.

Born in Hackney, London, Zawe Ashton is an actor, playwright, and narrator who is best known for her roles in the comedy-dramas Fresh Meat and Not Safe for Work.

She gained further recognition after participating in the Netflix horror thriller film Velvet Buzzsaw and for her character projection in 2011's Dreams of a Life. The actress, who is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dar-Benn in The Marvels, has also had enough experience working in theater.

Yet another multi-talented British actress in her 30s is Susan Wokoma, who is perhaps best known for her roles as Edith in Enola Holmes and Raquel in the show Crazyhead.

She deservingly found a spot in Europe's Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017. The very same year, she was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit by an international jury.

Phoebe made her debut on the television show Crashing and has since been seen in projects such as the radio adaptation of Marie NDiaye's Three Strong Women, the film adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun and The Inbetweeners 2, and Year of the Rabbit, to mention a few.

Holly Grainger was first seen in the television show All Quiet on the Preston Front in 1994.

She has been a part of television shows such as Roger and the Rottentrolls, The Borgias, Strike, and Capture, to name a few.

One can also find the actress playing a part in feature films such as Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Bel Ami, and The Scouting Book for Boys.

Lily Cole, who was first seen in the motion picture St. Trinian's in 2007, is a multi-talented personality. Not only has she been a model but she is also an author, film director, actress, and entrepreneur.

She got the opportunity to play the main lead for the first time in Terry Gilliam's 2009 fantasy film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

The performer is also known to have featured in shows such as Doctor Who and Elizabeth I, among others. She has also participated in quite a few music videos.

Mickey Sumner made her feature film debut in 2008's Last Chance Harvey. She is best known for playing a role in feature films such as Frances Ha, The Mend, and CBGB.

One can also find her making an appearance in television shows such as Low Winter Sun and Snowpiercer. She also featured in four episodes of the historical-fiction drama series The Borgias.

Antonia Laura Thomas is a British actress and singer who gained prominence after playing the role of Alisha Daniels in the E4 comedy-drama series Misfits.

The actress made her acting debut in the television movie Stanley Park and went on to make a name for herself by starring in shows such as Lovesick and The Good Doctor.

She has also been a part of a film like Sunshine on Leith and has appeared in several music videos.

Deborah Ayorinde is a British-Nigerian actress who was raised in the United States of America. She is known for her role in the Amazon Prime horror series Them.

Even though she is relatively new to the film scene, the actress has been seen making her presence felt in Netflix's popular Marvel series Luke Cage and the comedy film Girls Trip.

Not only that but Ayorinde has also gone on to feature in projects such as Harriet and a season of HBO's acclaimed series True Detective. We are quite sure that we'll be hearing more about her in the near future.

Adelayo Adedayo is a British actress of Nigerian descent who may not be too popular in the mainstream but has done enough work on television to establish herself as a promising performer.

While her first television appearance was in The Bill, she made her feature film debut in Sket. She later went on to appear in Some Girls on BBC Three.

The actress hails from Dagenham and had trained part-time at the Identity School of Acting while studying Law at Brunel University.

Born at Mile End Hospital in East London to a Nigerian-Swiss father and an English mother, Ashley Madekwe is best known for playing a crucial part in series such as Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Revenge, and Salem.

However, it was her character projection in County Lines that ended up fetching her a nomination for the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. The actress is known to have trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting.

Eleanor Lucy V. "Ellie" Kendrick, professionally known as Ellie Kendrick, was first seen in an episode of the television show Walking the Dead in 2004.

She is best known for playing the role of Anne Frank in BBC's 2009 miniseries The Diary of Anne Frank.

One can also watch her playing a role in shows such as Upstairs Downstairs and Game of Thrones, to name a few.

Amara Karan is a British actress who was born to Sri Lankan parents. She made her acting debut on the television show The Bill in 2007.

Her feature film debut came in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited which premièred at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.

She has since then been a part of motion pictures such as A Fantastic Fear of Everything, St Trinian's, All in Good Time, and The Task, among others.

Olivia Hallinan was first seen playing a role in an episode of the television series Just William in 1994.

She is best known for playing the role of Laura Timmins on the BBC TV series Lark Rise to Candleford.

The actress has also been a part of shows such as Girls in Love and Sugar Rush.

Olivia started her training at the age of 11 at her mother's Saturday drama school All Expressions.

Charlotte Salt is known to have participated in several shows in Britain and the United States of America.

One can catch her playing a part in series such as Casualty, Bedlam, and The Musketeers, to name a few.

She can also be seen in motion pictures such as Beneath Still Waters, Beowulf, Blood and Glory, Deep in the Valley, and Everybody's Talking About Jamie, among others.

Tamsin Olivia Egerton was first seen playing a role in the television series The Mists of Avalon in 2001.

She shot to fame after appearing in feature films such as St Trinian's, St Trinian's II: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, Keeping Mum, and Chalet Girl.

The actress has also starred in shows such as Camelot, Sir Gadabout: The Worst Knight in the Land, Money, and Silent Witness, among others.

Lenora Crichlow, who was first seen in the television movie Bella and the Boys, is best known for starring in shows such as Sugar Rush and Being Human.

One can also find her making an appearance in feature films such as Fast Girls and Wilderness, among others.

Over the years, the actress has also participated in television projects such as The Bill, Back in the Game, and Black Mirror, to mention a few.

This British actress made her professional debut in a 2007 episode of Casualty, which was followed by an appearance in The Bill the following year. It was in 2009 that she made her first screen appearance by playing the part of nurse Syd; a new love interest for Bradley Branning in EastEnders.

Following her stint on the show, Nina also appeared in Primeval and acted in several stage productions. In addition, she was seen marking her presence in the Doctor Who episode "Let's Kill Hitler".

Tuppence Middleton was first seen in the television series Bones in 2008. She has been performing in film, television, and theatre over the years.

She was nominated for the London Evening Standard Film Awards for Most Promising Newcomer in 2010.

One can find the actress playing a part in films such as The Imitation Game, Jupiter Ascending, Mank, The Current War, and Downtown Abbey, to name a few.

She has also featured in shows such as Sense8 and Black Mirror, among others.