Conversations with Hayley Atwell (2018)

Career Retrospective with Hayley Atwell on May 22, 2018.  Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Variety.

Hayley’s impressive body of work has established her as one of the finest actresses of her generation. Hayley can be seen starring in HOWARD'S END. Written by Manchester By the Sea’s Oscar nominated director, Kenneth Lonergan, Hayley plays the lead role, alongside Matthew Macfadyen in the adaptation of E.M. Forster’s classic novel. Through the prism of three families: the intellectual and idealistic Schlegels, the wealthy Wilcoxes from the world of business, and the working class Basts, this period drama tracks the changing landscape of social and class divisions in turn of the century England. The series was recently launched in the US to much acclaim.

Earlier this year, Hayley performed at the Hampstead Theatre in Sarah Burgess’s DRY POWDER. Directed by Anna Ledwich, Hayley took the lead role alongside Tom Riley and Aidan McArdle in the comedy which explored the PR world of New York. 

Later this year, Hayley will be seen starring alongside Ewan McGregor in Disney’s CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. Directed by Marc Forster, the film takes a fresh interpretation on A.A. Milne’s classic children’s story ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ and is set to be released this August 3, 2018.  

Having trained in classical theatre at the Guildhall school of Music and Drama, upon graduation Hayley starred alongside David Oyelowo in PROMETHEUS BOUND in the West End. She went on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company and had lead roles at the Royal National Theatre in THE MAN OF MODE and MAJOR BARBARA. She has been nominated for two Olivier awards for her performances in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at The Duke of York's and in THE PRIDE at Trafalgar Studios. 

Hayley made her TV debut in the adaptation of Booker Prize winner THE LINE OF BEAUTY which lead to starring roles in several dramas including PILLARS OF EARTH, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination and in Charlie Brooker's BAFTA winning BLACK MIRROR series and has also starred in two William Boyd adaptations, ANY HUMAN HEART and RESTLESS.  She also played Agent Peggy Carter in the Marvel movie franchise and in two seasons of eponymous series AGENT CARTER in the US. 

Hayley's film debut was in CASSANDRA’S DREAM which lead to leading film roles in BRIDESHEAD REVISITED with Emma Thompson, THE DUCHESS with Ralph Fiennes, JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE and Kenneth Branagh's CINDERELLA.