She's worked with everyone from Tom Cruise [1] to Madonna [2], she counts Oscar winning actors and fashion designers as close friends, and she's got a résumé that covers everything from gross-out comedies to horror films. You've seen Annabelle Wallis in something, be it Peaky Blinders [3], The Mummy, or even X-Men: First Class. Over the past few years, she's been slowly rising up the ranks to stardom, and it's time you learned a little more. Here are nine fun facts that'll help you get to know the British actress and fashionista [4].
She's a Brit, but She Grew Up Abroad
Annabelle was born in Oxford, but spent most of her childhood in Portugal. She speaks Portuguese fluently and also some Spanish and French.
She's Got Some Very Famous Family
Annabelle's maternal uncle was the late Richard Harris (who had an incredibly illustrious career, but is perhaps best known to younger generations for playing Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter [5] films). She is said to be close to her cousins Jared and Jamie (both actors) and Damien (a director). She previously told InStyle [6], "His son — my cousin lives out in LA and has worked in the industry for years, so when I'm over there he'll have me round for roast dinners and give me advice on the people I'm meeting, even though it's way too hot for roast potatoes."
She Got Her Big Break in The Tudors
Annabelle's first big international success was opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers [7] in The Tudors. She played Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife, who died giving birth to Henry's only (legitimate) son, Edward.
She's Dated Some Very Eligible Men
Though Annabelle doesn't really speak about her love life, we know she dated model James Rousseau earlier in her career and she was also linked to Chris Martin [8] and even recorded background vocals for the Coldplay song "Up and Up" (along with Beyoncé and Merry Clayton). She is currently romancing Chris Pine [9].
She Was in a Film That Shared Her Name
No doubt things got confusing when Annabelle starred in the 2014 horror film Annabelle (the prequel to The Conjuring). She didn't play the eponymous role; instead she portrayed Mia Form, a woman haunted by a demon that manipulates a china doll.
She's Great at Accents
Though Annabelle's kept some semblance her own accent for a lot of her roles, she's tried her hand at a number of others, including American (in films like Come and Find Me) and Irish (in Peaky Blinders). She credits her time at an international school for her ability to do this, telling GQ [10], "I had 42 different nationalities in my year at school, so you adapt your voice . . . I'm a shape shifter."
She's Got Some Very Stylish Friends
One of Annabelle's closest friends is fashion designer Georgia Hardinge, and she's worn her pal's designs for photo calls and red carpet appearances many times. Annabelle is also a muse to designer Christopher Kane, and she's attended many fashion week shows across Europe. In 2015, she attended the Met Ball as a guest of Dolce & Gabbana.
She Credits Her Peaky Blinders Role With Changing Her Career
Annabelle could easily have been typecast, forced to play a succession of pretty posh girls. But she credits Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight with giving her a little more to work with. "Playing Grace changed everything for me. I was believable in a strong, female, alpha role," she told FT [11]. In an interview with Town & Country, she further touched on this [12], explaining, "that was a caliber of work I hadn't been able to do previously. It takes a while to prove your place and be in the company of greats, and this was the first time I was seen as good enough even to audition for these amazing people."
Jared Leto Is One of Her Best Mates
Annabelle and Jared hang out at award shows, tweet at each other, and even attended Coachella together. She previously told Elle that her pal also gave her some very good career advice [13]. "He once told me: 'Annabelle, film is forever. What you leave behind stays forever.' I think about that all the time. I've done enough terrible things that will be around forever. If I get a voice, I need to make sure I use my brain, my words, my intellect and my world view in a way I'm proud of."