I feel like Olivia Williams can sometimes be overlooked! She has a quiet, demure thing going on when she’s in historical films, so maybe that’s why. She’s played in Jane Austen adaptations, played the Jane Austen, and generally Done Some Stuff!
Emma (1996)
The BBC miniseries version starring Kate Beckinsale; Williams played Jane Fairfax.
The Heart of Me (2002)
1930s setting, playing sisters opposite Helena Bonham Carter.
Peter Pan (2003)
A smaller part as Mrs. Darling, but she’s beautifully dressed (by the fabulous Janet Patterson).
To Kill a King (2003)
She’s the long-suffering English Civil War-era aristocratic wife, I’m the long-suffering person who watched this big ball of meh. Apparently I liked her costumes, according to my own review. I just remember being bored!
Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures (2004)
One of the many stories based on Christie’s (played by Williams) disappearance.
Miss Austen Regrets (2008)
Jane Austen’s later years; I thought it was snoozy, Sarah liked it! YMMV.
An Education (2009)
She has a small part as a stern schoolteacher in this shhh-don’t-tell-Trystan Carey Mulligan led, 1960s-set film.
Anna Karenina (2012)
As the Countess Vronsky in the Keira Knightley version.
Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)
As a smart and elegant Eleanor Roosevelt, while Bill Murray is charming as philandering FDR.
Manhattan (2014-15)
A TV series about the Manhattan project.
The Halcyon (2017)
Glamming it up in this 1930s British hotel series.
Victoria & Abdul (2017)
As the cranky Lady Churchill in this Judi Dench-as-Queen-Victoria film.
Which is your favorite Olivia Williams historical film?
I really enjoy Olivia Williams’ performances.
Not historical, but after seeing her in the short-lived Joss Whedon show Dollhouse I really appreciated her range. She can go from “ice queen” to “hurting human being with needs who is trying to hold it together” all within one episode. It made me notice her more elsewhere, like in Victoria & Abdul.
Out of this list, Miss Austen Regrets and Peter Pan might be my favorites!
She was great in Counterpart on Starz!
Yes! I really loved her duality!
I loved her role in the WGN series, “Manhattan”.
I just saw her Jane Fairfax in “Emma,” and was impressed. Her contained quality, with the suggestion of emotions smoldering under the surface, was perfect for the role.
Glad you referenced ‘Manhattan’ as it had great acting by Williams and John Benjamin Hickey.
I’ve had the biggest Girl Crush on her since the I saw her i the decidedly un-period Rushmore.
She was the best Jane Fairfax until now.
Her best perfomance was as the wife of the politician Lang in “The Ghost Writer” by Polanski. Sexy and influencing.
That was a terrific movie!
She is the only believable Jane Fairfax. Watching her singing and playing the piano in front of an audience put the fear of God into me — and made me understand Emma’s unease with her (simply because she is lacking all of Jane’s accomplishments). William’s portrayal of Jane Austen was sublime.