Early Life
Vanessa Nuala Kirby was born on April 18, 1988, and grew up in Wimbledon, London. Her parents are Jane Kirby, a former writer for Country Living magazine, and Roger Kirby, a retired surgeon and President of the Royal Society of Medicine. Vanessa has two siblings, Joe, a school teacher, and Juliet, a theatrical agent.
She attended Lady Eleanor Holles School and later studied English at the University of Exeter. Initially turned down by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Kirby used her gap year to travel and work at an AIDS hospice in South Africa.
Career
2010–2014: Stage Debut and Early Works
Vanessa Kirby began her professional acting career on stage, landing starring roles in productions like “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller, “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare at the Octagon Theatre Bolton in 2010. Her performance in “All My Sons” earned her the BIZA Rising Star Award.
In 2011, she appeared at the National Theatre in “Women Beware Women” by Thomas Middleton and in “The Acid Test” by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre. Kirby made her television debut in 2011 with roles in BBC’s “The Hour” and “Great Expectations” as Estella.
The following years saw Kirby’s talent shining on both stage and screen. In 2012, she starred in Benedict Andrews’ production of “Three Sisters” at the Young Vic, earning exceptional reviews. She also played Isabella of France in “Edward II” at the Royal National Theatre.
In 2014, Kirby portrayed Stella Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Young Vic, winning the Best Supporting Actress award at the Whatsonstage Awards. She also appeared in films like “Queen and Country” directed by John Boorman.
2015–2020: Breakthrough and International Recognition
Vanessa Kirby’s breakthrough came in 2015 when she was cast as Princess Margaret in Netflix’s “The Crown.” Her portrayal earned her critical acclaim, including a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2018. Kirby’s role in “The Crown” catapulted her to international fame.
In 2016, Kirby starred as Elena in Robert Icke’s production of “Uncle Vanya” at the Almeida Theatre, garnering rave reviews. She also appeared in films such as “Genius” and “Me Before You.”
Her career continued to soar in 2018 with roles in the action films “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” alongside Tom Cruise and “Fast and Furious: Hobbs & Shaw” with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. She also starred in the biopic “Mr Jones.”
In 2020, Vanessa Kirby delivered a powerhouse performance as Martha, a woman grappling with grief in “Pieces of a Woman.” The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Her performance earned widespread critical acclaim and nominations for major awards, including the Academy Award.
2021–Present: Independent Films and Blockbusters
In 2021, Kirby co-founded Aluna Entertainment, a production company based in London with a first-look deal with Netflix. She starred in the drama film “Italian Studies,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Kirby also hosted the True Spies podcast and played Beth in the drama film “The Son,” alongside Hugh Jackman. Her performance in “The Son” was praised despite mixed reviews of the film.
In 2022, Kirby reprised her role as Alanna Mitsopolis in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” and the untitled eighth “Mission: Impossible” film. She also portrayed Empress Joséphine in the historical drama film “Napoleon” alongside Joaquin Phoenix in the title role.
Looking ahead, Kirby is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Susan Storm / Invisible Woman in “The Fantastic Four,” scheduled for release in 2025 as part of Phase Six of the MCU.
Personal Life
Vanessa Kirby dated actor Callum Turner from 2016 to 2020. Since 2022, she has been in a relationship with Paul Rabil, an American former professional lacrosse player and President of Premier Lacrosse League.
With a career marked by critically acclaimed performances on stage and screen, Vanessa Kirby continues to captivate audiences with her talent, versatility, and dedication to her craft.