The Tudors

Background:

“I know people think that acting is not quite the occupation of grown-ups, but it is actually the ultimate learning process: You get a multitude of experiences, all for the price of one life.” Natalie Dormer

British actress hailed from Reading Natalie Dormer rose to prominent playing Victoria on the Lasse Hallstrom-helmed “Casanova” (2005), starring Heath Ledger. She continued to enjoy massive success on the small screen with her role as the second wife Anne Boleyn on the Showtime series “The Tidors” (2007-2008), starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Dormer will play Moira Nicholson in the made-for-TV movie “Marple: Why Didn't They Ask Evans?” and costar with Katie Cassidy in the film “Fencewalker” (2009).

Dormer loves fencing as a sport, and is a member of the London Fencing Academy. Also a fan of poker, she participated in the Women's World Open competition in London, held by PartyPoker.com. She made to the final two at the Celebrity Heat. Dormer speaks French. She is a mezzo soprano singer.

Romantically, Dormer is currently in relationship with Irish movie director Anthony Byrne, whom she met on the set of “The Tidors” in Dublin, Ireland.

Trained Dancer

Childhood and Family:

Natalie Dormer was born on February 11, 1982, in Reading, England. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather and along with her siblings Mark and Samantha. Natalie attended Chiltern Edge Secondary School and later moved to Reading Blue Coat School, an independent boys' boarding school that accepted girls in the sixth form. She also trained as a dancer at the Allenova School of Dancing, which she began at age 3 until age 16.

As a young, Natalie became a subject of bullying. Commenting about it, she stated, “Still to this day I can't place why. I'd actually love to meet myself as a kid and see if I could figure it out.”

A self-depicted as the academic 'expectant' of the family, Natalie later dropped her plan to read history at university in pursuit of acting studies at the celebrated Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the same school attended by Matthew Goode, Rupert Friend, and Minnie Driver.

Casanova

Career:

Natalie Dormer immersed herself in British theater with performances in such productions as “Under Milk Wood,” “The School for Scandal” and “Pride & Prejudice” before getting her first professional acting job in one episode of the British television series “Distant Shores,” appearing as a mobile woman.

Her first break arrived later that same year when Dormer won an important supporting role on “Casanova,” a romantic comedy helmed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller. Playing Victoria, her role in the film was originally penned to be much smaller, but she was so impressive that Hallstrom enlarged her part. The director even added more humor into the role as soon as he discovered Dormer had a knack on comedy. “Casanova” led to a three-film deal with Disney/Touchstone.

2006 saw Dormer appear in a single episode of the third sequel of the acclaimed BBC series “Rebus” called “The Fall.” She played Phillippa Balfour, a young heiress who becomes involved with Detective John Rebus (played by Ken Scott). It was followed by a small role in the Demi Moore and Michael Caine vehicle “Flawless” (2007), playing Cassie Jay.

It was also in 2007 that Dormer secured her most well-known role to date, as Anne Boleyn, in the Showtime series “The Tudors,” about the historic period and marriages of King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers). As the ill-fated second wife, she was on the show during its two season run from 2007 to 2008. Commenting about the show, she said, “Oh, it's fantastic stuff, all about the young Henry VIII and his brash, vibrant court. It's everything a period drama shouldn't be: super-sexy, raw, and violent.”

Recently, in January 2009, Dormer has completed shooting the made-for-TV film “Marple: Why Didn't They Ask Evans?,” based on the work by Agatha Christie. She plays Moira Nicholson, opposite Julia McKenzie as Miss Jane Marple.

Dormer is scheduled to return to the big screen with “Fencewalker” (2009), a drama helmed and written by Chris Carter. Among her costar in the film are Katie Cassidy, Austin Nichols, D.B. Sweeney and Jeannine Kaspar. She is also rumored to have roles in the movies “City of Life,” directed by Ali F. Mostafa, and “Flying Lessons” (2009), penned by Thomas Kuehl.

Awards:
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