Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton

Arterton at the premiere of Gemma Bovery, September 2014
Born (1986-02-02) 2 February 1986
Gravesend, Kent, England
Occupation Actress
Years active 2007–present
Spouse(s) Stefano Catelli (m. 2010; div. 2015)
Family Hannah Arterton (sister)

Gemma Christina Arterton[1] (born 2 February 1986)[2] is an English actress. Arterton made her film debut in the comedy film St Trinian's (2007). Her breakthrough role was in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008), playing Bond Girl Strawberry Fields, which won her an Empire Award for Best Newcomer. She is known for her roles in the fantasy films Clash of the Titans (2010), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), Byzantium (2013) and as the character Gretel in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013).

Early life

Arterton was born at North Kent Hospital in Gravesend, Kent,[3] to Sally-Anne (née Heap), a cleaner, and Barry Arterton, a welder.[3][4] Her mother's cousin is singer-songwriter Wreckless Eric. Her matrilineal great-grandmother was a German Jewish concert violinist.[5]

She attended Gravesend Grammar School for Girls in Kent, and made her stage debut there in an amateur production of Alan Ayckbourn's The Boy Who Fell into a Book, which was entered into a competition at a local festival, where she won the best actress prize.[6]

At age 16, Arterton left school to attend the Miskin Theatre at North West Kent College in Dartford. She then received a full government grant to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), although she said in 2008 that she "got up to her eyes in debt with a student loan".[6] She graduated from RADA in 2008.[7] Her sister, Hannah Arterton, is also an actress.[8]

Career

Arterton won her first professional role in Stephen Poliakoff's Capturing Mary while she was still at drama school.[9] She made her stage debut as Rosaline in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost at the Globe Theatre in London in July 2007 before graduating later that year.[10] She made her film debut in St Trinian's (2007) as Head Girl Kelly.[11]

In 2008, she appeared in the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.[12] Chosen from around 1,500 candidates, Arterton plays Bond Girl Strawberry Fields, in what is described as a "nice-sized role".[13] Of her character, Arterton describes Strawberry Fields as "the thinking man's crumpet".[14] In the same year, she played the eponymous protagonist in the BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles.[15] Also in 2008, she played Elizabeth Bennet in the ITV serial, Lost in Austen. Her most controversial role to date was in the 2009 film The Disappearance of Alice Creed, in which her character is kidnapped and abused in several graphic nude scenes.[16]

Arterton is the face of Avon's Bond Girl 007 fragrance, which launched in October 2008.[17] Having already started in a series of advertisements for Avon, Arterton in May 2008 requested a role opposite model Kate Moss for Rimmel, but was blocked on contractual terms under her Avon contract.[18]

Gemma Arterton at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012

In 2010, Arterton made her West End debut in the UK premiere of The Little Dog Laughed.[19] She was originally attached to star in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights[20] as Catherine Earnshaw; however, she later left the project.[21] In 2008 Arterton announced that she was "soon to be in the film adaptation of the book, Burden of Desire" in a starring role but as of 2016 the film has not been produced.[22]

Arterton was seen in the 2010 films Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and played the lead in Tamara Drewe.[23] In 2010 Arterton also starred in the Almeida Theatre's production of "The Master Builder."[24] In 2011, Arterton was nominated twice by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for her performances in Tamara Drewe and The Disappearance of Alice Creed.[25] In November 2012, she was selected as a member of the main competition jury at the 2012 International Film Festival of Marrakech.

Arterton starred in the action horror film Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters as Gretel opposite the actor Jeremy Renner who played Hansel. The 3-D film was set 15 years after Hansel and Gretel killed the witch who kidnapped them.[26] It was released on 25 January 2013. In January 2014, she took the title role in John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi, the inaugural production at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the new indoor theatre at Shakespeare's Globe.[27] In the same year, she starred with Ryan Reynolds, Anna Kendrick and Jacki Weaver in the psychological thriller film, The Voices.[28]

In 2014–2015, Arterton was starring in Made in Dagenham, a stage musical about the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968 concerning equal pay for women. She played a woman named Rita O'Grady.[29] Since its premiere on 5 November 2014 at the Adelphi Theatre in London,[30] she has publicly expressed her support for their cause.[31]

In a 2015 interview with the Independent newspaper, Arterton stated that she was director Jonathan Glazer's choice for the lead role in his movie Under the Skin. However, Glazer was forced to recast due to Arterton's perceived lack of 'star power'.[32]

In February 2016, Arterton started a run playing the title role in the Shakespeare's Globe transfer of Nell Gwynn,[33] at the West End's Apollo Theatre.[34]

Personal life

On 5 June 2010, Arterton married Italian Stefano Catelli, who works in fashion marketing, in a private ceremony in Zuheros, Spain.[35][36] In early 2013, Arterton and her husband separated,[37] and in August 2015 their divorce was finalised "by [mutual] consent" at the Central Family Court in High Holborn.[38] Arterton stated she "never really believed in exchanging vows," and that she's not sure she would "want to walk down the aisle again."[37][39] By early 2016, she was in a relationship with French film assistant director Franklin Ohanessian.[40]

Filmography

Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2007 St Trinian's Kelly Jones
2007 Capturing Mary Liza TV film
2008 Lost in Austen Elizabeth Bennet TV series (2 episodes)
2008 Tess of the d'Urbervilles Tess Durbeyfield TV series (4 episodes)
2008 Three and Out Frankie Cassidy
2008 RocknRolla June
2008 Quantum of Solace Strawberry Fields
2009 Boat That Rocked, TheThe Boat That Rocked a.k.a. Pirate Radio Desiree
2009 St. Trinian's II: The Legend of Fritton's Gold Kelly Jones
2010 Clash of the Titans Io
2010 Disappearance of Alice Creed, TheThe Disappearance of Alice Creed Alice Creed
2010 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Princess Tamina
2010 Tamara Drewe Tamara Drewe
2011 A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures Shelly
2012 Song for Marion Elizabeth
2012 Byzantium Clara
2013 Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters Gretel
2013 Runner Runner Rebecca Shafran
2014 Inside No. 9 Gerri TV series (episode "Tom & Gerri")
2014 Gemma Bovery Gemma Bovery
2015 The Voices Fiona
2016 She Who Brings Gifts Helen Justineau
2016 Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Jessica Spencer Sketch for Sport Relief 2016
2016 Their Finest Hour and a Half Filming
2016 The History of Love
2016 Orpheline
2017 Watership Down Clover Miniseries

Awards and nominations

Year Award Nominated work Result
2008 Empire Award for Best Newcomer St Trinian's Nominated
2008 National Movie Award for Best Actress St Trinian's
2009 Empire Award for Best Newcomer Quantum of Solace Won
2010 Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout Female Clash of the Titans Nominated
2010 Scream Award for Best Breakout Performance Female Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
2010 Teen Choice Award for Choice Fantasy Actress Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Clash of the Titans
2011 BAFTA Rising Star Award Herself
2011 Glamour Award for Woman of the Year – Film Actress Herself Won
2014 Whatsonstage.com Awards for Best Actress In A Musical Made in Dagenham (musical) Nominated
2015 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical Made in Dagenham (musical)
2016 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress Nell Gwynn (play)

References

  1. ↑ Film Review. Orpheus Pub. 2008.
  2. ↑ Staff (29 January 2013). "Interview: ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' Cast at the Sydney Premiere". The Young Folks. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013. "...everyone thinks [my birthday is] in January, but it's not.
  3. 1 2 Mottram, James (29 March 2010). "Gemma Arterton: from a council estate to Clash of the Titans". The Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
  4. ↑ "How St Trinian's Gemma makes easy work of a Shakespearean comedy". Daily Mail (London, UK). 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010.
  5. ↑ "When GQ met Gemma Arterton". GQ. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
  6. 1 2 Fletcher, Damien (9 May 2008). "Exclusive: Bond Girl Gemma Arterton shops at Primark and mum's a cleaner". Daily Mirror (London, UK). Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Gemma Arterton Nominated for 2011 BAFTA Rising Star Award". Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Jones, Alice (15 July 2011). "Artertons are the new Minogues". The Independent.
    - "Atlantis, The Earth Bull". BBC. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gemma Arterton profile". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "London Review: Love’s Labour's Lost", CurtainUp.com. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "St Trinian's girl Gemma Arterton on the new skool rules". Daily Mail (London, UK). 21 June 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Olly Richards (17 December 2007). "Gemma Arterton Is Bond 22's Girl". Empire. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  13. ↑ "Bond 22 Pre-Production Diary (22)". MI6-HQ.com. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  14. ↑ "Gemma Arterton – Billion Dollar Bond Girl". MI6 Confidential. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Gemma Arterton stars in Lost in Austen and Tess of the d'Urbervilles". The Times (London, UK). 31 August 2008. (subscription required)
  16. ↑ Brown, Lane. "Gemma Arterton on The Disappearance of Alice Creed and Not Starring in Transformers 3". Vulture.com (New York Magazine). Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  17. ↑ Longbottom, Wil (10 October 2008). "Scent of a Bond girl: Gemma Arterton stars in ad for new 007-themed perfume". Daily mail. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  18. ↑ Nicholl, Kate (11 May 2008). "You're off the Rimmel case, Agent Gemma". Daily Mail (London, UK). Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  19. ↑ Bamigboye, Baz (26 September 2009). "Gemma Arterton takes her bow in West End debut". Daily Mail (London, UK).
  20. ↑ Singh, Anita (15 May 2009). "Bond girl Gemma Arterton to star in Wuthering Heights 'teen drama'". The Daily Telegraph (London, UK). Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  21. ↑ "Gemma won't be in Wuthering Heights". Press Association via MSN.com. 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  22. ↑ Cripps, Charlotte (25 April 2008). "Cultural Life: Gemma Arterton, Actress". The Independent (London, UK).
  23. ↑ Bamigboye, Baz (17 July 2009). "Gemma Arterton is wanted by The Queen director to get crowd Madding in sexy new role". Daily Mail (London, UK).
  24. ↑ Spencer, Charles (19 November 2010). "The Master Builder, Almeida Theatre, review: 'Despite an alluring Gemma Arterton, this cold production fails to ignite. Rating:**'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  25. ↑ Mitchell, Wendy. "Black Swan, King's Speech lead films on BAFTA longlist", Screendaily.com, 7 January 2011.
  26. ↑ "First Look: Jeremy Renner in "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters"". worstpreviews.com. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  27. ↑ Taylor, Paul (16 January 2014). "The Duchess of Malfi, theatre review: 'Gemma Arterton is luminous'". The Independent. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  28. ↑ Barton, Steve (7 January 2015). "Hear the Voices On VOD in February". Dread Central. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  29. ↑ "Cast & Creative". Made in Dagenham Musical. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  30. ↑ "Gemma Arterton to star in Made in Dagenham musical". BBC. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  31. ↑ Alex Bilmes (29 October 2014). "Gemma Arterton: Gravesend to West End". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  32. ↑ Kaleem Aftab (17 March 2015). "Gemma Arterton on black comedy The Voices and why she's turned her back on Hollywood". The Independent. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Gemma Arterton to play Nell Gwynn in London's West End". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  34. ↑ "Gemma Arterton to star in West End transfer of Nell Gwynn". whatsonstage.com. What's On Stage website. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  35. ↑ Nathan, Sara (9 June 2010). "Gemma Arterton enters the Bond of marriage as she weds Italian she pencilled in her diary as 'future husband'". Daily Mail (London). Archived from the original on 10 June 2010.
  36. ↑ Cochrane, Kira (9 September 2010). "Tamara Drewe and the rise of Gemma Arterton". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 13 September 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  37. 1 2 "Gemma Arterton 'Break-Ups Are Part of Life'". Female First. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  38. ↑ "Gemma Arterton's divorce from Italian husband Stefano Catelli granted three years after couple split". The Daily Mirror. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  39. ↑ Bryant, Tom (2 May 2013). "Gemma Arterton doubts she will ever find her soul mate after marriage split". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  40. ↑ "Gemma Arterton: I'Ve Always Felt Too Old for My Body", Female First, 8 February 2016

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