Dame Commander Emma Thompson (born 15 April 1959, Paddington) is a British stage and film actress, screenwriter, producer, comedian, feminist, environmental activist, HIV/AIDS activist, and writer.
Alan Rickman has starred with Emma Thompson in the following films:
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
- The song of a lunch (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Love actually (2003)
- Judas kiss (1998)
- The winter guest (1997)
- Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson shared a special bond that went far beyond the screen. They frequently worked together in films, including Sense and Sensibility (1995), Love Actually (2003), and the Harry Potter series, where Thompson portrayed Professor Trelawney and Rickman played Severus Snape. Behind the scenes, they always supported each other, discussing scripts and even collaborating on theater projects.
Their friendship was built on mutual respect, a shared sense of humor, and a deep understanding. Thompson recalled that Rickman was not only a talented actor but also an incredibly generous person who always helped his friends. She also mentioned that he was “the only one who could truly make her laugh.” After his death in 2016, Thompson confessed that she had lost not just a colleague, but “one of the best friends of her life.”
Biography
Born: April 15, 1959, Paddington, London, United Kingdom
Her father was English actor Eric Thompson. Her mother, Scottish actress Phyllida Law, acted alongside Emma in several films. Her sister, Sophie Thompson, is also an actress.
In 1977, Emma received a scholarship to study English at Newnham College, Cambridge. During her time at the college, she joined the prestigious theatrical club “The Footlights” at Cambridge University, where she became the first female member. In 1980, she became the vice president of the club.
Her career began in the 1980s with roles in theatrical productions and television series. Her breakthrough came with her roles in the miniseries Tales of the Red Caboose and Tutti Frutti (1987), for which she won a BAFTA Award. In 1989, she made her feature film debut with the romantic comedy The Tall Guy, and in the early 1990s, she solidified her success with roles in Shakespearean theatre productions.
Emma’s true fame arrived in 1992 with the release of Howards End, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She continued to gain popularity with films such as The Remains of the Day (1993) and In the Name of the Father (1993), where her acting skills received high praise from critics. In 1995, she became the first actress to win an Academy Award not only for her acting but also for an adapted screenplay, for the film Sense and Sensibility.
After the birth of her daughter in 1999, Thompson reduced her career activity for a time, but she made a triumphant return in the 2000s. She gave brilliant performances in films such as Love Actually (2003), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), and wrote and starred in the popular film Nanny McPhee (2005). In the following years, her career included roles in blockbusters like Men in Black 3 (2012) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), as well as serious dramatic films, including The Children Act (2018). With her talent and versatility, she remains one of the most respected actresses of today.
Private life
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the actress dated Hugh Laurie, with whom she participated in the Ramp Theater Club.
From 1989 to 1995, she was married to actor and director Kenneth Branagh.
In 2003, she married actor Sir Greg Wise, whom she met in 1995 on the set of Sense and Sensibility.
Feminism
Thompson describes herself as a feminist (and mentions that “at 19, I was a radical feminist”). She notes that the word “feminism” has been demonized, as many women, including young Hollywood actresses, do not fully understand its true meaning and often respond that they do not share feminist views. In one interview, Thompson expressed her thoughts on this topic: “It’s strange. Any woman who says she’s not a feminist is essentially saying she doesn’t believe in equal rights for women.”
Thompson frequently addresses issues such as equal pay for women and the fight against domestic violence in her interviews and open letters. She also raises concerns about the importance of sex education and child protection from pedophiles. In an interview with the British Daily Mail, Thompson shared that at the age of 8, she was sexually assaulted by a magician at a birthday party, who forcibly kissed her on the lips. “I thought it was my fault. Children always think it’s their fault.”
Emma Thompson has financially supported a fund that helps women who are entering politics. In an interview with The Guardian, Thompson explained: “Women often need additional help to overcome the numerous barriers to entering politics. Our political system was built for men. We need women from various backgrounds and with different life and professional experiences to be elected, so that the system works for the majority of people, not just for a few leading groups.”
Emma Thompson and Ukraine
In 2022, she supported Ukraine following the onset of the full-scale russian invasion. The actress oversaw a committee that cared for refugees and advocated for simplifying visa procedures for Ukrainians. In March 2022, she participated in a massive demonstration in support of Ukraine in London, reading Taras Shevchenko’s poem “The Sun Sets, the Mountains Turn Black” in English. Two years later, she congratulated Lina Kostenko on her 94th birthday, reading her poem “Wings” in English. “I think about you every day [Ukrainian people], remaining united with Ukraine and for its sake,” Emma Thompson said.
Filmography
Here is the table in English, starting with the most recent:
| Year | Original Title | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy | Dr. Rawlings |
| 2022 | Matilda: The Musical | Miss Trunchbull |
| 2022 | Good Luck to You, Leo Grande | Nancy Stokes |
| 2021 | Cruella | Baroness von Hellman |
| 2020 | Dolittle | Parrot Polly (Polynesia) – Voice |
| 2019 | Dolittle — Auditions | Parrot Polly (Polynesia) – Voice |
| 2019 | Last Christmas | Petra |
| 2019 | Extinction | – |
| 2019 | How to Build a Girl | Amanda |
| 2019 | Years and Years | Scandalous politician Vivienne Rook |
| 2019 | Men in Black: International | Head of American Division Agent O |
| 2018 | Johnny English Strikes Again | Prime Minister |
| 2018 | King Lear | Goneril |
| 2017 | The Children Act | Fiona May |
| 2017 | The Meyerowitz Stories | Maureen |
| 2013 | Saving Mr. Banks | Pamela Lyndon Travers |
| 2012 | Men in Black 3 | Agent O |
| 2011 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | Professor Sybill Trelawney |
| 2010 | The Song of Lunch | She |
| 2010 | Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang | Nanny Matilda McPhee |
| 2009 | The Boat That Rocked | Charlotte |
| 2008 | Last Chance Harvey | Kate Walker |
| 2008 | An Education | Headmistress |
| 2008 | Brideshead Revisited | Lady Marchmain |
| 2007 | I Am Legend | Dr. Alice Krippin |
| 2007 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | Professor Sybill Trelawney |
| 2006 | Stranger than Fiction | Karen Eiffel |
| 2005 | Nanny McPhee | Nanny Matilda McPhee |
| 2004 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | Professor Sybill Trelawney |
| 2003 | Angels in America | Sister Emily / Homeless Woman / Angel in America |
| 2003 | Love Actually | Karen |
| 2003 | Imagining Argentina | Cecilia |
| 2002 | Treasure Planet | Captain Amelia (Voice) |
| 2000 | Maybe Baby | Drusilla |
| 1998 | Judas Kiss | Sadie Hawkins |
| 1998 | Primary Colors | Susan Stanton |
| 1997 | The Winter Guest | Frances |
| 1995 | Carrington | Dora Carrington |
| 1995 | Sense and Sensibility | Elinor Dashwood |
| 1994 | Junior | Dr. Diana Reddin |
| 1993 | The Remains of the Day | Sarah Kenton, Housekeeper |
| 1993 | In the Name of the Father | Geret Pierce |
| 1993 | The Remains of the Day | Miss Kenton |
| 1993 | Much Ado About Nothing | Beatrice |
| 1992 | Peter’s Friends | Maggie Chester |
| 1992 | Howards End | Margaret Schlegel |
| 1991 | Impromptu | Duchess d’Antan |
| 1991 | Dead Again | Grace / Margaret Strauss |
| 1990 | The Tall Guy | Kate Lemmon |
| 1989 | Henry V | Catherine of Valois |
Related:
- Emma Thompson’s Diary on the Filming of “Sense and Sensibility,” Part 1
- Chilly scenes of winter guest
- Foreword by Emma Thompson (Alan Rickman diaries)
- Sense and Sensibility (1995)
- Judas kiss (1998)
- Love actually (2003)
- The winter guest (1997)
