Emerald Fennell

Did you know?!

1. A first

   Fennell earned a directing nomination, making her the first British woman to do so and one of only seven women ever nominated in that category.

2. Big break

   In July 2018, Phoebe Waller-Bridge brought in Fennell, a close friend, to lead writing on series two of the BBC spy thriller Killing Eve. Fennell wrote six episodes and became an executive producer, while Waller-Bridge stayed on as producer.

3. Early training

   Fennell was recruited by the talent agent Lindy King while she was acting in a student play at Oxford. King represents names such as Keira Knightley.

4. Getting ready for a role

   Fennell became prominent playing Nurse Patsy Mount in the BBC One period drama Call the Midwife, and she dyed her blonde hair red for that role.

5. Behind the camera

   In January 2013, Bloomsbury Children's Books released Fennell's debut novel, the children's fantasy Shiverton Hall. The book made the shortlist for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2014.

6. Getting ready for a role

   Fennell revealed in July 2024 that she would adapt Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights as her next film. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi were later cast as Cathy and Heathcliff, and Fennell chose Elordi after spotting him on the Saltburn set.