Keira Knightley's talent has seen her rise through the acting ranks from supporting roles to stardom. In 2008, Keira joined the Forbes list as the second highest-paid actress in Hollywood making her the only non-American on the list of highest-paid actresses that year.
Keira Knightley in Say When
Her incredible talent as a diverse actress can be seen through the variety of roles she has accomplished. The range of genres she has undertaken since her first supporting role makes her a fully deserving actress of all that she has achieved. Her latest film Say When is out on DVD 9th March and to celebrate we're taking a look The Many Faces of Keira Knightley.
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Keira played her first supporting role in this American epic space opera in 1999 as Sabe.
The Phantom Menace was only the second movie from for Knightley, coming after Innocent Lies back in 1995, and gave her her first taste of the big budget blockbuster.
The Phantom Menace saw George Lucas back in the director's chair and it was a movie that has grossed over $1 billion at the global box office.
- The Hole
Keira took on a new style in this psychological horror film, The Hole in 2001. She played the character Frankie and it was her first significant role. Sticking with a similar genre Keira later played Jackie in the psychological thriller The Jacket in 2005.
- Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham released in 2003 saw Keira try her hand at comedy drama. The film and Keira's role as Jules gained her widespread recognition.
As a diverse actress she later explored dark comedy playing Penelope Lockhart in the Seeking a Friend for the End of the World in 2012.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl
In 2003, when Keira played the role of Elizabeth Swan in the adventure fantasy Pirates of the Caribbean she shot to international fame. The film was so successful they went on to make Dead Man's Chest, At World's End and On Stranger Tides. Keira starred in the first three films of the franchise.
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the most successful franchises of all time, with Dead Man's Chest grossing over $1 billion worldwide, and At World's End just missing out on joining that exclusive club.
- Love Actually
Keira's first romantic comedy was playing the role of Juliet in the successful film Love Actually in 2003. Keira later starred in other romantic films such as Megan in the romantic-comedy Laggies in 2014 and Ruth in Never Let Me Go and Joanna in Last Night in the 2010 romantic-dramas.
- King Arthur
In 2004 Keira took on the role of Guinevere in this historical action film. This wasn't her first action or historical movie as she has previously played Domino Harvey in the American action film Domino in 2005 and Vera in the historical drama The Edge of Love in 2008. She also later played the role of Cathy Muller in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit in 2014.
- Pride & Prejudice
Keira played the role of Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice.
Pride & Prejudice and the role of Elizabeth Bennet was a tricky one for all involved, due the success of the television series that make Colin Firth a star. While Wright's adaptation told a familiar story, he and Knightley were able to put their own stamp onto the characters.
Her talent in the role earned her nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. It marked the beginning of her stint of period drama films, which she became known for.
- Atonement
In her second period drama Keira was again nominated for a Golden Globe as well as a BAFTA for Best Actress in this role as Cecilia Tallis in Atonement in 2007.
Atonement marked Knightley's first 'woman' role and changed the way that she was percived and the roles that she was offered. This was a beautiful adaptation of a terrific book and saw Knightley and James McAvoy on top form - they really did make a terrific duo.
The string of period dramas continued with her playing Helene Joncour in Silk (2007), Georgiana Cavendish in The Duchess (2008), Sabina Spielrein in A Dangerous Method (2011), and Anna Karenina in Anna Karenina (2012).
- The Imitation Game
In 2014 Keira played Joan Clare in this historical thriller The Imitation Game. She was nominated for a Golden Globe, a SAG, a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film was a commercial and critical success grossing over $180 million worldwide making it the highest-grossing independent film off 2014.
Keira Knightley is clearly no stranger to hard work having made her mark on the Hollywood scene and achieving huge success as a serious, diverse and incredibly talented actress.
Her latest work Say When is available on DVD 9th March just in time for Mother's Day! It relives the ups and downs of teenage life following the dramas of Megan, played by Keira Knightley, who is 28 going on 14.
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