Eva Birthistle

Last updated

Eva Birthistle
EvaBirthistle.jpg
Birthistle in 2007
Born (1974-04-16) 16 April 1974 (age 50)
Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland [1]
OccupationActress
Children2

Eva Birthistle (born 16 April 1974) is an Irish actress and writer. [1] She is best known for her roles in Bad Sisters and Ae Fond Kiss... , and also starred in The Last Kingdom between 2015 and 2022. She won the London Film Critics Circle British or Irish Actress of the Year Award in 2004, and has twice won the IFTA Best Actress in a Leading Role (Film) award.

Contents

Early life and education

Birthistle was born in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, but moved with her family to Derry, Northern Ireland when she was 14. She was raised Catholic but attended the non-denominational Foyle College. [2] After her GCSEs, she studied acting at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. [1]

Career

In 1995, she got her first TV role as Regina Crosbie in the serial Glenroe . She stayed for three years until 1998. She was offered her first feature film in 1997, All Souls' Day by Alan Gilsenan. She played a variety of roles in Irish films, including Drinking Crude (1997), [3] co-starring Colin Farrell, and TV movie Miracle at Midnight (1998), with Mia Farrow. In 2002, Eva appeared in Sunday, a dramatisation of the events of Bloody Sunday written by Jimmy McGovern. [3]

In 2003, she appeared in the TV series Trust before starring as Roisin Hanlon in the Ken Loach movie Ae Fond Kiss... (2003–04), which won her the 2005 London Critics Circle Film Award as "British Actress of the Year". She appeared in Breakfast on Pluto , Imagine Me & You and Save Angel Hope (by Lukas Erni) in 2005, and in Brian Kirk's Middletown in 2006. She starred as human rights lawyer Jane Lavery in the TV conspiracy drama The State Within , and played Rosaleen in the Taken at the Flood episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot in 2006. In late 2007, she featured as Rembrandt's wife Saskia van Uylenburg in the historical drama, Nightwatching by Peter Greenaway. [3]

She featured in the BBC drama The Last Enemy in early 2008, playing the role of Eleanor Brooke, a junior minister. In 2009, she portrayed Jenette in the last episode of the second season of the BBC hit series Ashes to Ashes . [4] She also appeared in two successful horror films The Children (2008) and Wake Wood (2011). In 2010, she won Best Actress at the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival for her acclaimed performance as a lovelorn paralegal in Curt Truninger's The Rendezvous. [5]

She played "Annette Nicholls" in the 2010 three-part TV series Five Daughters . She appeared as Detective Superintendent Sarah Cavendish in the ninth, and final, series of Waking the Dead . In 2011, Birthistle appeared in the Sky1 TV series Strike Back: Project Dawn as Captain Kate Marshall. [6] In 2013, Birthistle co-starred with Anna Friel in the Sky1 TV production The Psychopath Next Door. [7] In Brooklyn she played Georgina, the cabin-mate of Eilis (Saoirse Ronan), mentoring her in surviving the voyage to New York and dealing with immigration to the US. In 2014, she portrayed Sarah Bailey in the miniseries Amber . Since 2015, she has starred in The Last Kingdom as Hild, a nun turned warrior and friend of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. She appeared in the 2017 Irish film The Delinquent Season opposite Cillian Murphy. [1] [3]

Personal life

Birthistle's husband, Ross, is an acupuncturist. They have a son, Jesse, born in 2013, and a daughter, Joni (named after Joni Mitchell), born in 2017. [1]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotesRef.
1997All Souls' DayNicole [8]
Drinking Crude [9]
1998 Miracle at Midnight KarinTelevision film [10]
The American Noemie NiocheTelevision film [11]
Getting CloseJaneShort film [12]
1999Making Ends MeetKathy [13]
2000 Saltwater Deborah McCeever [14]
Borstal Boy Liz Joyce [15]
CoolocklandBirdShort film [16]
2002 Sunday Maura YoungTelevision film [17]
2003 Mystics Samantha [18]
2004TimbuktuIsobel [19]
Ae Fond Kiss ... Roisin Hanlon [20]
2005The Baby WarMeganTelevision film [21]
Breakfast on Pluto Eily Bergin [22]
Imagine Me & You Edie [23]
2006MiddletownCaroline [24]
2007The Martyr's CrownMrs. CloughertyShort film [25]
Nightwatching Saskia van Uylenburgh [26]
Save Angel HopeRenee Frye [27]
2008The Daisy ChainCat [28]
ReverbMaddy [29]
The Children Elaine [30]
2009 Wake Wood Louise Daley [31]
2010The CrossingShort film [32]
The RendezvousJackie [5]
2012Day of the FlowersRosa [33]
2013 Life's a Breeze Margaret [34]
The Psychopath Next DoorMarianne MoranTelevision film [7]
2014 Noble Sister Laura [35]
Here with MeEmilyShort film [36]
2015 Brooklyn Georgina [37]
SwansongKaren Prince [38]
2016The CircuitNatTelevision film [39]
2018 The Delinquent Season Danielle [40]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1996–1998 Glenroe Regina CrosbieRecurring role [41]
1999 DDU: District Detective Unit Mary KellyEpisode: "Unforgiven" [42]
2001 In Deep Tina ShawEpisode: "Ghost Squad" [43]
2002 Holby City VickyEpisode: "Cruel to Be Kind" [42]
2003 Trust Maria AcklamMiniseries; 6 episodes [44]
Silent Witness Lauren HathawayEpisode: "Fatal Error" [45]
2006 Agatha Christie's Poirot RosaleenEpisode: "Taken at the Flood" [46]
The State Within Jane LaveryMiniseries; 6 episodes [47]
2008 The Last Enemy Eleanor BrookeMiniseries; 5 episodes [48]
2009 Ashes to Ashes JenetteEpisode: "Series 2, Episode 8" [49]
2010 Five Daughters Annette Nicholls Miniseries; 3 episodes [50]
2011 Waking the Dead DSI Sarah CavendishSeries regular; 10 episodes [51]
Strike Back: Project Dawn Captain Kate MarshallRecurring role; 6 episodes [52]
2012 Case Sensitive Ruth BlacksmithEpisode: "The Other Half Lives" [53]
2014 Amber Sarah BaileyMiniseries; 4 episodes [54]
Vera Kate DarrowEpisode: "On Harbour Street" [55]
2015–2022 The Last Kingdom HildRecurring role; 17 episodes [56]
2018 The Bisexual LauraMiniseries; 5 episodes [57]
2021 Fate: The Winx Saga Vanessa PetersRecurring role; 3 episodes [58]
Behind Her Eyes MarianneEpisode: "Behind Her Eyes" [59]
2022–present Bad Sisters Ursula FlynnSeries regular [60]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiona Shaw</span> Irish actress (born 1958)

Fiona Shaw is an Irish film and theatre actress. She did extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as in film and television. In 2020, she was listed at No. 29 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors. She was made an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Friel</span> British actress

Anna Louise Friel is an English actress. She first achieved fame as Beth Jordache in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside (1993–1995), later coming to international prominence with her role as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles on ABC's Pushing Daisies (2007–2009), for which she received a nomination for the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. In 2017, she won the International Emmy for Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character in the ITV/Netflix mystery drama series Marcella (2016–2021). Her other accolades include a Drama Desk Award, an honorary degree, and a BAFTA nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eva Green</span> French actress (born 1980)

Eva Gaëlle Green is a French actress. The daughter of actress Marlène Jobert, she began her career in theatre before making her film debut in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers (2003). She portrayed Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem in Ridley Scott's historical epic Kingdom of Heaven (2005). The following year, she played Bond girl Vesper Lynd in the James Bond film Casino Royale (2006), for which she received the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keeley Hawes</span> English actress (born 1976)

Clare Julia "Keeley" Hawes is an English actress. After beginning her career in a number of literary adaptations, including Our Mutual Friend (1998) and Tipping the Velvet (2002), Hawes rose to fame for her portrayal of Zoe Reynolds in the BBC series Spooks (2002–2004), followed by her co-lead performance as DI Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes (2008–2010). She is also known for her roles in Jed Mercurio's Line of Duty as DI Lindsay Denton (2014–2016) and in BBC One drama Bodyguard (2018), in which she played Home Secretary Julia Montague.

Amanda Donohoe is an English actress. She first came to public attention at age 16 for her relationship with pop singer Adam Ant, appearing in the music videos for the Adam and the Ants singles "Antmusic" (1980) and "Stand and Deliver" (1981) during their four-year relationship. After making her film debut in Foreign Body (1986), she co-starred in Castaway with Oliver Reed and starred in two films by Ken Russell: The Lair of the White Worm (1988) and The Rainbow (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Steadman</span> British actress (born 1946)

Alison Steadman is an English actress. She received the 1977 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for Abigail's Party, the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh film Life Is Sweet and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the '50 Greatest Actors' voted for by other actors, she was ranked 42.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haydn Gwynne</span> British actress (1957–2023)

Haydn Gwynne was an English actress. She was nominated for the 1992 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance for the comedy series Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1991), and won the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical. She was also a five-time Olivier Award nominee, winning her first posthumously in 2024. Her other television roles included Peak Practice (1999–2000), Merseybeat (2001–2002), and playing Camilla in The Windsors from 2016 until her death in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Glenister</span> British actor (born 1963)

Philip Haywood Glenister is an English actor. He is known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC series Life on Mars (2006–2007) and its sequel Ashes to Ashes (2008–2010). He also played DCI William Bell in State of Play (2003) and Reverend Anderson in Outcast (2016–2018).

Angela Mellissa Griffin is an English actress, television presenter and director who has been active on British television since the early 1990s. She is best known for portraying the roles of Fiona Middleton in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, Kim Campbell in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road, and DS Lizzie Maddox in the final two series of ITV's detective drama series Lewis (2014–2015). Griffin was also an original cast member of Holby City, playing nurse Jasmine Hopkins (1999–2001).

<i>Ae Fond Kiss ...</i> (film) 2004 film

Ae Fond Kiss... is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Ken Loach, and starring Atta Yaqub and Eva Birthistle. The title is taken from a Scottish song by Robert Burns, the complete line being "Ae Fond Kiss, and then we sever..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermione Norris</span> British actress

Hermione Norris is an English actress. She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in the 1980s, before taking small roles in theatre and on television. In 1996, she was cast in her breakout role of Karen Marsden in the comedy drama television series Cold Feet. She appeared in every episode of the series from 1998 to 2003 and was nominated for a British Comedy Award.

Sara Scott Griffith is a Scottish actress. She played Stella in Sugar Rush.

Nichola McAuliffe is an English television and stage actress and writer, best known for her role as Sheila Sabatini in the ITV hospital sitcom Surgical Spirit (1989–1995). She has also starred in several stage musicals and won the 1988 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Kiss Me, Kate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Foy</span> British actress (born 1984)

Claire Elizabeth Foy is a British actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix drama series The Crown (2016–2023), for which she received various accolades such as a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Amy Beth Hayes is a British actress. She is best known for her roles as Kitty in Mr Selfridge; Lucy in "The Entire History of You", an episode of Black Mirror; Ruth in Misfits; Clem in Shameless; Amy in The Syndicate; and Maxine Fox in Sirens. She has also appeared in Doctor Who and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Dolan</span> English actress (born 1969)

Monica Margaret Dolan is an English actress. She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Rosemary West in Appropriate Adult (2011).

Ophelia Lucy Lovibond is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Carina in the film Guardians of the Galaxy, Izzy Gould in the BBC's W1A, Patty Failure in Disney's Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, Joyce Prigger in Starz's Minx, and Kitty Winter in CBS's Elementary.

<i>Strike Back: Project Dawn</i> Season of television series

Strike Back: Project Dawn, as it is known in the United Kingdom, is a ten-part British-American action television serial and is the second series of Strike Back. However, the only cast member to return from the first series was Richard Armitage in the first episode. The main cast for the series includes Philip Winchester, Sullivan Stapleton, Amanda Mealing, Eva Birthistle, Michelle Lukes and Rhashan Stone. The series follows the actions of Section 20, a secret branch of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), particularly two of its officers, Michael Stonebridge (Winchester) and former American Delta Force operative Damian Scott (Stapleton). Section 20 leads a worldwide manhunt to find and capture Pakistani terrorist Latif, who is plotting an operation of his known as "Project Dawn".

<i>Brooklyn</i> (film) 2015 film directed by John Crowley

Brooklyn is a 2015 romantic period drama film directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Hornby, based on the 2009 novel by Colm Tóibín. A co-production between the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada, it stars Saoirse Ronan in the lead role, with Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters in supporting roles. The plot follows Eilis Lacey, a young Irishwoman who immigrates to Brooklyn in the early 1950s to find employment. After building a life there, she is drawn back to her home town of Enniscorthy and has to choose where she wants to forge her future. Principal photography began in April 2014 with three weeks of filming in Ireland, which were followed by four weeks in Montreal, Quebec; only two days of filming took place in Brooklyn, one of which was spent at the beach in Coney Island.

Bad Sisters is an Irish black comedy television series developed by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer. Set in Dublin and filmed on location in Ireland, it is based on the Belgian series Clan, which was created by Malin-Sarah Gozin. The first two episodes aired on 19 August 2022. Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season on 8 November 2022, which is set to release on 13 November 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Shortall, Eithne (22 April 2018). "Changing the script: Eva Birthistle on screenwriting, motherhood and 'good work'". The Times. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  2. ↑ Applebaum, Stephen. "Eva Birthistle A Fond Kiss..." BBC. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Eva Birthistle". BFI. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ashes to Ashes Episode #2.8 (2009)". Internet Movie Database . Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 "The Rendezvous". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "Strike Back Project Dawn: Eva Birthistle Interview". Sky1.sky.com. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  7. 1 2 Wallis, Sara (25 September 2013). "Anna Friel in The Psychopath Next Door wants viewers to hate her in the darkest role she's played". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  8. ↑ Dwyer, Michael (1997). "All Souls' Day". The Irish Times . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Drinking Crude". Irish Film Institute . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Joyner, Will (16 May 1998). "TELEVISION REVIEW; When Denmark Didn't Look the Other Way". The New York Times . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  11. ↑ Rosenfeld, Megan (3 January 2001). "Henry James, Avert Your Eyes!". The Washington Post . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Getting Close". Northern Ireland Screen . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Making Ends Meet". Irish Film and Television Network . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  14. ↑ Stratton, David (5 March 2000). "Saltwater". Variety . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  15. ↑ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (6 March 2002). "Borstal Boy". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Coolockland". Irish Film and Television Network . Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  17. ↑ McLean, Gareth (29 January 2002). "Troubles in mind". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  18. ↑ "Mystics". Irish Film Database. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  19. ↑ Heffernan, Breda (13 February 2004). "Rising star Eva jets in for opening of Timbuktu". Irish Independent . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  20. ↑ Mackie, Rob (12 July 2005). "Review - Ae Fond Kiss ..." The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Fond Kiss star heads for Hollywood". Irish Examiner . 19 November 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  22. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (13 January 2006). "Review - Breakfast On Pluto". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  23. ↑ Wijaszka, Zofia (1 June 2020). ""Imagine Me & You" And Its Importance in Search of My Sexuality". intheirownleague.com. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  24. ↑ French, Philip (4 March 2007). "Film - Middletown". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  25. ↑ "The Martyr's Crown". parkfilms.ie. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  26. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (25 March 2010). "Review - Nightwatching". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "SAVE ANGEL HOPE". Brooklyn Film Festival . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  28. ↑ "'The Daisy Chain' never fulfills promise". Irish Examiner . 22 April 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  29. ↑ "Reverb". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  30. ↑ Bell, Sean (29 November 2008). "A PIECE OF MY MIND: Eva Birthistle, actress". The Herald . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  31. ↑ French, Philip (27 March 2011). "Wake Wood – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  32. ↑ "THE CROSSING - Christina Solomons Photography". christinasolomons.com. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  33. ↑ Kermode, Mark (1 December 2013). "The Day of the Flowers – review". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  34. ↑ Tallerico, Brian (19 September 2014). "Life's a Breeze". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  35. ↑ Rabbitte, Eimear (21 March 2014). "Eva glad she wasn't a mum during Amber". Irish Independent . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  36. ↑ "Here With Me". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  37. ↑ "Eva among cast and crew celebrating Oscar nomination for Brooklyn". Northern Ireland World . 18 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  38. ↑ McGowan, Sharon (8 July 2015). "Eva to star in comedy Swansong". Irish Independent . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  39. ↑ Ramaswamy, Chitra (26 August 2016). "The Circuit review: Pulling's creators take aim at the dinner party". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  40. ↑ Brady, Tara (25 April 2018). "The Delinquent Season: A hugely disappointing Irish debut". The Irish Times . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  41. ↑ Milton, Stephen (30 November 2013). "How the girl from 'Glenroe' became 'the next big thing' again. . ". Irish Independent . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  42. 1 2 "Eva Birthistle". 42 Management & Production. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  43. ↑ "In Deep, Series 1, Ghost Squad: Part 1". BBC . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  44. ↑ "Trust - Drama". BBC . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  45. ↑ "Silent Witness, Series 7, Fatal Error, Part 1". BBC . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  46. ↑ "Agatha Christie's Poirot - Series 10 - Episode 4". ITV . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  47. ↑ "BBC ONE Autumn 2006". BBC . 18 July 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  48. ↑ Lowry, Brian (2 October 2008). "The Last Enemy". Variety . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  49. ↑ "Ashes to Ashes, Series 2, Episode 8". BBC . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  50. ↑ "Five Daughters: The true story". Manchester Evening News . 28 April 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  51. ↑ Chater, David (12 March 2011). "Sunday's TV: Waking the Dead". The Times . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  52. ↑ Riccio, Aaron (8 August 2011). "Review: Strike Back: Season One". Slant Magazine . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  53. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (12 July 2012). "TV review: Bank of Dave; Case Sensitive". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  54. ↑ "Eva Birthistle: 'I cried every day while filming new RTE show Amber'". Irish Independent . 13 January 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  55. ↑ Plaice, Andy (27 April 2014). "Vera, Series 4, ITV". The Arts Desk . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  56. ↑ "Eva Birthistle: From Behind Her Eyes to Brooklyn stardom". Entertainment Daily. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  57. ↑ Finnis, Alex (17 October 2018). "What time is The Bisexual on Channel 4 tonight, who's in the cast with Desiree Akhavan and what's it about?". i . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  58. ↑ Craig, David (21 September 2022). "Meet the cast of Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga". Radio Times . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  59. ↑ Cremona, Patrick (20 February 2021). "Netflix's Behind Her Eyes left out this gruesome detail from the book". Radio Times . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  60. ↑ Gallacher, Stephen (24 October 2022). "Back in black? Bad Sisters star Eva Birthistle reveals a possible second series". The Sunday Post . Retrieved 17 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.