Early Life and Education
Jessica Rose Brown Findlay, an English actress, was born on September 14, 1987, and grew up in Cookham, Berkshire. Her father worked as a financial adviser, and her mother was a teaching assistant. Brown Findlay described Cookham as a place dear to her heart, having spent much of her childhood there surrounded by family.
Her passion for ballet led her to train with the National Youth Ballet and the Associates of the Royal Ballet. At the age of 15, she had the opportunity to dance with the Kirov at the Royal Opera House for a summer season. However, a series of ankle operations altered her path, ending her aspirations of becoming a professional dancer.
Brown Findlay attended Furze Platt Senior School in Maidenhead, where she completed her GCSEs. She then enrolled at the Arts Educational School for A-level courses and pastoral care. However, due to her ankle injuries, she couldn’t continue dancing. It was during this time that she discovered her love for acting.
Later, she pursued a fine art course at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London, where her passion for acting continued to grow.
Career
Brown Findlay’s acting career began with the lead role of Emilia Conan Doyle in the 2011 British comedy-drama film “Albatross.” This was followed by her breakout role as Lady Sybil Crawley in the ITV period drama series “Downton Abbey.” Her portrayal of the forward-thinking and independent Lady Sybil garnered her widespread acclaim.
After her stint on “Downton Abbey,” Brown Findlay appeared in various roles across film and television. She played Beverly Penn in the film adaptation of the novel “Winter’s Tale” (2014), alongside Colin Farrell and Russell Crowe. In “Victor Frankenstein” (2015), she portrayed Lorelei, the acrobat with a mysterious past.
One of her notable roles came in the series “Harlots” (2017–2019), where she played Charlotte Wells, the daughter of a madam and a sex worker. This period drama showcased her versatility as an actress and earned her further praise.
In 2020, she was part of the main cast of the series “Brave New World,” based on Aldous Huxley’s classic novel.
Brown Findlay has also graced the stage with her performances. She made her professional theatre debut at the Almeida Theatre in London as Electra in a new adaptation of “The Oresteia” in 2015. She continued to impress on stage, playing Ophelia in “Hamlet” at the Almeida Theatre.
Her filmography includes roles in “This Beautiful Fantastic” (2016) and “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” (2018).
Personal Life
In 2014, Brown Findlay experienced a privacy breach when a hacker stole intimate pictures and videos. This incident highlighted the challenges faced by celebrities regarding privacy and security.
She began dating actor Ziggy Heath in late 2016, and the couple tied the knot on September 12, 2020. They welcomed twin sons on November 5, 2022, expanding their family.