Anna Popplewell

Last updated

Anna Popplewell
Anna Popplewell 2013.jpg
Popplewell in 2013
Born (1988-12-16) 16 December 1988 (age 35)
London, England
Education Magdalen College, Oxford (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
Spouse
Sam Caird
(m. 2016)
Children1
Parent
Relatives

Anna Popplewell (born 16 December 1988) [1] [2] is an English actress. She began acting with minor roles in television films, and notably, the drama films Mansfield Park (1999) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003). Her breakthrough came with playing Susan Pevensie in the fantasy film series The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–2008), which grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide and earned her a number of awards. She went on to play Chyler Silva in the web series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012), which is based on the video game of the same name, and Lady Lola in the historical drama series Reign (2013–2016). After a series of independent roles, she played Kate in the supernatural horror film The Nun II (2023). She made her stage debut playing the title character in Hedda Gabler (2023).

Contents

Early life

Popplewell, the eldest of three children, is the daughter of Lord Justice Sir Andrew Popplewell, a Court of Appeal judge, and Debra Lomas, a dermatologist who studied at Newnham College, Cambridge. She was born in London. Her siblings are Lulu and Freddie, who have also acted. Her paternal grandfather, Sir Oliver Popplewell, is a former judge, and her uncle, Nigel Popplewell, is a former cricketer.

She attended North London Collegiate School and was a senior student in 2006–07. [3] She was admitted to Oxford University in 2007 where she studied English Language and Literature at Magdalen College. [4] [5]

Career

Popplewell (right) with William Moseley (left) and Ben Barnes (middle) at the premiere of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in 2008. William Moseley, Ben Barnes & Anna Popplewell french premiere of The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian (cropped).jpg
Popplewell (right) with William Moseley (left) and Ben Barnes (middle) at the premiere of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in 2008.

Popplewell began acting at the age of six, taking classes at the Allsorts Drama School. She began acting professionally in the TV production Frenchman's Creek in 1998. She made her film debut in 1999 in the film Mansfield Park , and followed up with supporting roles in the films The Little Vampire (2000) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003), with Scarlett Johansson. In 2001, she appeared as Victoria in the BBC serial Love in a Cold Climate . [2]

Popplewell's first major role was in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), where she played Susan Pevensie at the age of 17. She has a fear of mice, requiring a double to undertake part of her scene at the Stone Table. [6] The film emerged as a blockbuster, and earned acclaim from critics and audiences. [7] She reprised her role in the sequel, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), in which she acted with William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley and Ben Barnes. [8] She also made a cameo appearance in the third Narnia film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). [9] Collectively, the films have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide. [10]

In 2012, Popplewell played the character Chyler Silva in the live action 5-part mini series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn . In 2013, she began playing Lola, a friend of Mary, Queen of Scots, in the CW television series Reign . Filming took place in Ireland and Canada. [11] She played the role until 2016, when her character was killed off in the season 3 finale. [12]

Since 2018, Popplewell has narrated the audiobooks Dear Mrs. Bird and its sequel Yours, Cheerfully for Simon & Schuster Audio; London's Number One Dog-Walking Agency, for HarperAudio; Queen of Coin and Whispers for Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd; and Jane Eyre for Penguin Audio. [13]

In 2023, Popplewell returned to the big screen playing Kate in the horror film The Nun II , which was a commercial success. [14] [15] Writing for Forbes magazine, Simon Thompson praised her return, calling Popplewell a "familiar and welcome face in the cast". [16] Alison Foreman of IndieWire described her as "especially warm" and "easy-to-root-for". [17] Also in 2023, she made her stage debut playing the titular role in the play Hedda Gabler . [18]

Personal life

Popplewell married actor Sam Caird in 2016. The couple has one daughter. [19]

Filmography

Film

List of film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1999 Mansfield Park Betsey
2000 The Little Vampire Anna Sackville-Bagg
2001 Me Without You Young Marina
2002 Thunderpants Denise Smash
2003 Girl with a Pearl Earring Maertge
2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Susan Pevensie
2008 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Susan Pevensie
2010 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Susan PevensieCameo
2012 Payback Season Izzy
2015Freak of NurtureNurse Bethany Lane
2017The Last Birthday Olga Short
2019You are hereTanya
2022FairytaleFrankie
2023 The Nun II Kate

Television

List of television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Frenchman's CreekHenriettaTelevision film
2000Dirty TricksRebeccaTelevision film
2001 Love in a Cold Climate VictoriaTelevision mini-series
2002 Daniel Deronda Fanny DavilowTelevision mini-series; 3 episodes
2011 Comedy Lab Herself – GuestEpisode: "Totally Tom"
2011Brave New WorldMaura TaftTelevision film
2012 Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Chyler SilvaWeb series; Main cast; 5 episodes
2012Looking BackHerselfDocumentary short
2013–2016 Reign Lady Lola/Lola NarcisseMain role
2020Prop CultureHerself Disney+ docuseries; Episode: "The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe"
2020 The Left Right Game LauraPodcast; 1 episode (voice)

Video games

List of video game credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Susan PevensieVoice role
2008 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Susan PevensieVoice role
2022The GalleryMorgan/DorianInteractive

Stage

List of stage credits
YearTitleRoleLocation
2023 Hedda Gabler Hedda GablerReading Rep, Reading, Berkshire

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received by Anna Popplewell
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice Fantasy Movie Actress The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Nominated
CAMIE Awards Won [20]
2008 Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards Best Film Star The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Nominated
2009 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble CastNominated
2012 Streamy Awards Best Female Performance: Drama Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Nominated

Related Research Articles

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i> Series of childrens fantasy novels by C. S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven portal fantasy novels by British author C. S. Lewis. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes and originally published between 1950 and 1956, The Chronicles of Narnia has been adapted for radio, television, the stage, film, and video games. The series is set in the fictional realm of Narnia, a fantasy world of magic, mythical beasts and talking animals. It narrates the adventures of various children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the Narnian world. Except in The Horse and His Boy, the protagonists are all children from the real world who are magically transported to Narnia, where they are sometimes called upon by the lion Aslan to protect Narnia from evil. The books span the entire history of Narnia, from its creation in The Magician's Nephew to its eventual destruction in The Last Battle.

<i>Prince Caspian</i> Childrens fantasy novel by C. S. Lewis, 1951

Prince Caspian is a high fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1951. It was the second published of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956), and Lewis had finished writing it in 1949, before the first book was out. It is volume four in recent editions of the series, sequenced according to the internal chronology of the books. Like the others, it was illustrated by Pauline Baynes and her work has been retained in many later editions.

<i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i> Childrens fantasy novel by C. S. Lewis, 1952

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a portal fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1952. It was the third published of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956). Macmillan US published an American edition within the calendar year. with substantial revisions that were retained in the United States until 1994. It is volume five in recent editions, which are sequenced according to the novels' internal chronology. Like the other Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and her work has been retained in many later editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Pevensie</span> Fictional character in The Chronicles of Narnia

Lucy Pevensie is a fictional character in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series. She is the youngest of the four Pevensie children, and the first to find the Wardrobe entrance to Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Of all the Pevensie children, Lucy is the closest to Aslan. Also, of all the humans who have visited Narnia, Lucy is perhaps the one that believes in Narnia the most. She is ultimately crowned Queen Lucy the Valiant, co-ruler of Narnia along with her two brothers and her sister. Lucy is the central character of the four siblings in the novels. Lucy is a principal character in three of the seven books, and a minor character in two others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Pevensie</span> Fictional character in The Chronicles of Narnia

Susan Pevensie is a fictional character in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series. Susan is the elder sister and the second eldest Pevensie child. She appears in three of the seven books—as a child in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, and as an adult in The Horse and His Boy. She is also mentioned in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Battle. During her reign at the Narnian capital of Cair Paravel, she is known as Queen Susan the Gentle or Queen Susan of the Horn. She was the only Pevensie that survived the train crash on Earth which sent the others to Narnia after The Last Battle.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> 2005 film by Andrew Adamson

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a 2005 high fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ann Peacock and the writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, based on the 1950 novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first published and second chronological novel in the children's book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The film is the first installment in The Chronicles of Narnia film series. It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian</i> 2008 film directed by Andrew Adamson

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is a 2008 high fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, based on the 1951 novel Prince Caspian, Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the second published and fourth chronological novel in the children's book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), it is the second installment in The Chronicles of Narnia film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Moseley (actor)</span> British actor

William Peter Moseley is an English actor. He is known for his portrayal of the fictional character Peter Pevensie in the The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–2010) trilogy, which won him a Kids' Choice Award, in addition to nominations for a Saturn Award and a Young Artist Award. He also played Prince Liam in the E! series The Royals (2015–2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgie Henley</span> English actress (born 9 July 1995)

Georgina Helen Henley is an English actress. She first began acting as a child, and became known for starring as Lucy Pevensie in the fantasy film series The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–2010), which grossed over US$1.5 billion worldwide and won her several accolades. This includes nods from several critic groups and an Empire Award nomination.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy film series and media franchise based on The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of novels by C. S. Lewis. The series revolves around the adventures of children in the world of Narnia, guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion that can speak and is the true king of Narnia. The children heavily featured in the films are the Pevensie siblings, and a prominent antagonist is the White Witch. The franchise also includes short films, digital series, and video games.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> (video game) 2005 video game

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is an action-adventure game released in 2005 by Traveller's Tales and Amaze Entertainment. The game is based on the novel-adapted movie of the same name. It was released in November before the movie for most major consoles including the GameCube, PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance. Also in 2005, a role-playing game, a strategy game and a chess game were released for wireless phone systems by Disney Mobile. A significant feature has William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell, Georgie Henley, Elizabeth Hawthorne, and Jim Broadbent reprising their roles from the film.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian</i> (video game) 2008 video game

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is an action-adventure video game developed by Traveller's Tales to coincide with the theatrical release of the film of the same name. It was released for the Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Wii, Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 on 15 May 2008 in North America to mixed reception. The DS version was the first game to implement Disney's DGamer online chat service.

The Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards 2008 aired on 20 September 2008 on Nickelodeon. It was the UK's second Kids' Choice Awards. The ceremony was presented by Australian singer and X Factor judge Dannii Minogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aslan</span> Fictional lion, a deity in The Chronicles of Narnia

Aslan is a major character in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series. Unlike any other character in the Narnian series, Aslan appears in all seven chronicles. Aslan is depicted as a talking lion and is described as the King of Beasts, the son of the Emperor-Over-the-Sea, and the King above all High Kings in Narnia.

<i>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i> 2010 film by Michael Apted

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a 2010 high fantasy adventure film directed by Michael Apted from a screenplay by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, and Michael Petroni, based on the 1952 novel The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the third published and fifth chronological novel in the children's book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), it is the third and final installment in The Chronicles of Narnia film series. It is the only film in the series not to be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, which was replaced by 20th Century Fox. However, Disney would eventually own the rights to all the films in the series following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney in 2019.

Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the second series of The Chronicles of Narnia that ran from 1988 to 1990. The series, which was shown on BBC television in 1989, is an adaptation of two of C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia novels: Prince Caspian (1951) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952).

Prachi Save Saathi is an Indian dancer, actress, and voice-dubbing actress.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Narnia:

Magical creatures are an important aspect of the fictional world of Narnia contained within The Chronicles of Narnia book series and connected media originally created by C. S. Lewis. Throughout the seven books of the series, the protagonists encounter a variety of these creatures as they travel throughout Narnia and the surrounding lands and seas, including Archenland, Calormen, and the Great Eastern Ocean.

References

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