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Fiona Shaw (born Fiona Mary Wilson; 10 July 1958) is an Irish film and theatre actress. She is known for her roles as Petunia Dursley in the ''Harry Potter'' film series (2001–2010), Marnie Stonebrook in the fourth season of the HBO series '' True Blood'' (2011), and Carolyn Martens in the BBC series '' Killing Eve'' (2018–22). For her performance in ''Killing Eve'', Shaw won the 2019 BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress. For her performances in the second seasons of ''Killing Eve'' and '' Fleabag'', she received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series respectively. For the third season of ''Killing Eve'', she was again nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Shaw has worked extensively with the
Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and produces around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, St ...
and the National Theatre. She won the 1990 Olivier Award for Best Actress for various roles, including '' Electra'', the 1994 Olivier Award for Best Actress for '' Machinal'', and the 1997 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for ''The Waste Land''. Her other stage work includes playing the title role in ''
Medea In Greek mythology, Medea (; grc, Μήδεια, ''Mēdeia'', perhaps implying "planner / schemer") is the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, a niece of Circe and the granddaughter of the sun god Helios. Medea figures in the myth of Jaso ...
'' in the West End and on Broadway (2001–2002). She was awarded an Honorary CBE in 2001. In 2020, she was listed at No. 29 on ''
The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is considered a newspaper ...
'' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.


Early life

Shaw was born Fiona Mary Wilson on 10 July 1958 in Cobh,
County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...
, the daughter of
physicist A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe. Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate cau ...
Mary T. (Flynn) Wilson and ophthalmic surgeon Denis Joseph Wilson (1922–2011), who wed in 1952. They maintained a home in Montenotte. She attended secondary school at Scoil Mhuire in
Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...
, and received her degree in philosophy at
University College Cork University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork. The university was founded in 1845 as one o ...
. Shaw's father, Denis Wilson, studied medicine at
University College Cork University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork. The university was founded in 1845 as one o ...
where he played rugby. He worked for a short time as a GP in London before training to be an ophthalmologist as the
Manchester Royal Infirmary Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) is a large NHS teaching hospital in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, England. Founded by Charles White in 1752 as part of the voluntary hospital movement of the 18th century, it is now a major regional and natio ...
in 1960. On his return to Cork he was appointed to the Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, where he worked until his retirement, which coincided with the transfer of the eye unit to Cork University Hospital. He taught at UCC and the RCSI. After retiring he wrote De Iron Trote, a history of the Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and continued his interest in the arts by studying for a Diploma in Art History at UCC.


Career

Shaw trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and was part of a "new wave" of actors to emerge from RADA. She received much acclaim as Julia in the National Theatre production of
Richard Brinsley Sheridan Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan (30 October 17517 July 1816) was an Irish satirist, a politician, a playwright, poet, and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He is known for his plays such as '' The Rivals'', ''The ...
's '' The Rivals'' (1983). Her theatrical roles include Celia in '' As You Like It'' (1984), Madame de Volanges in '' Les Liaisons Dangereuses'' (1985), Katherine in ''
The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunk ...
'' (1987), Lady Franjul in '' The New Inn'' (1987), Young Woman in '' Machinal'' (1993), for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress, Winnie in '' Happy Days'' (2007), and the title roles in '' Electra'' (1988), '' The Good Person of Sechuan'' (1989), '' Hedda Gabler'' (1991), '' The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'' (1998) and ''
Medea In Greek mythology, Medea (; grc, Μήδεια, ''Mēdeia'', perhaps implying "planner / schemer") is the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, a niece of Circe and the granddaughter of the sun god Helios. Medea figures in the myth of Jaso ...
'' (2000). She performed T. S. Eliot's poem ''
The Waste Land ''The Waste Land'' is a poem by T. S. Eliot, widely regarded as one of the most important poems of the 20th century and a central work of Modernist poetry in English, modernist poetry. Published in 1922, the 434-line poem first appeared in the ...
'' as a one-person show at the Liberty Theatre in New York to great acclaim in 1996, winning the
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in the theatre among Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions. The category was first presented at the 19 ...
for her performance. She played Miss Morrison in the 1984 '' The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' episode " The Adventure of the Crooked Man" and Catherine Greenshaw in ''
Agatha Christie's Marple ''Agatha Christie's Marple'' (or simply ''Marple'') is a British ITV television programme loosely based on the books and short stories by British crime novelist Agatha Christie. The title character was played by Geraldine McEwan from the first ...
'' episode "Greenshaw's Folly" in 2013. Shaw notably played the male lead in '' Richard II'', directed by
Deborah Warner Deborah Warner (born 12 May 1959) is a British director of theatre and opera, known for her interpretations of the works of Shakespeare, Bertolt Brecht, Benjamin Britten and Henrik Ibsen. Early life Warner was born in Oxfordshire, England, to ...
in 1995. Shaw has collaborated with Warner on a number of occasions, on both stage and screen. Shaw has also worked in film and television, including '' My Left Foot'' (1989), '' Mountains of the Moon'' (1990), '' Three Men and a Little Lady'' (1990), '' Super Mario Bros.'' (1993), ''
Undercover Blues ''Undercover Blues'' is a 1993 action comedy film about a family of secret agents written by Ian Abrams and directed by Herbert Ross and starring Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid. Plot Jane and Jefferson Blue, a wise-cracking couple of spies fo ...
'' (1993), '' Persuasion'' (1995), ''
Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first ...
'' (1996), '' The Butcher Boy'' (1997), '' The Avengers'' (1998), ''
Gormenghast Gormenghast may refer to: * ''Gormenghast'' (series), a trilogy of novels by Mervyn Peake ** ''Gormenghast'' (novel), second in the series * ''Gormenghast'' (opera), an opera based on the books * ''Gormenghast'' (TV serial), a BBC adaptatio ...
'' (2000), and five of the ''
Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at ...
'' films in which she played
Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at ...
's aunt. Shaw had a brief but key role in Brian DePalma's '' The Black Dahlia'' (2006). In 2009, Shaw collaborated with Deborah Warner again, taking the lead role in Tony Kushner's translation of
Bertolt Brecht Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht (10 February 1898 – 14 August 1956), known professionally as Bertolt Brecht, was a German theatre practitioner, playwright, and poet. Coming of age during the Weimar Republic, he had his first successes as a p ...
's ''
Mother Courage and Her Children ''Mother Courage and Her Children'' (german: Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder, links=no) is a play written in 1939 by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956), with significant contributions from Margarete Steffin. Four theatrical ...
''. In a 2002 article for ''
The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...
'', Rupert Christiansen described their professional relationship as "surely one of the most richly creative partnerships in theatrical history." Other collaborations between the two women include productions of Brecht's ''The Good Woman of Szechuan'' and Ibsen's '' Hedda Gabler'', the latter was adapted for television. Shaw appeared in ''The Waste Land'' at
Wilton's Music Hall Wilton's Music Hall is a Grade II* listed building in Shadwell, built as a music hall and now run as a multi-arts performance space in Graces Alley, off Cable Street in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is one of very few surviving musi ...
in January 2010 and in a National Theatre revival of '' London Assurance'' in March 2010. In November 2010, Shaw starred in Ibsen's '' John Gabriel Borkman'' at the
Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre ( ga, Amharclann na Mainistreach), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland ( ga, Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann), in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the country's leading cultural institutions. First opening to the p ...
, Dublin alongside
Alan Rickman Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman (21 February 1946 – 14 January 2016) was an English actor and director. Known for his deep, languid voice, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and became a member of the Royal Shakesp ...
and Lindsay Duncan. The play was also staged in New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2011. In 2012, Shaw appeared in the National Theatre revival of '' Scenes from an Execution'' by Howard Barker. The world's largest solo theatre festival,
United Solo United Solo Theatre Festival is the world's largest solo theatre festival. It takes place at Theatre Row on 42nd Street in New York City. Its founder and artistic director is Omar Sangare. The festival presents many categories of solo shows, inc ...
, recognised her performance in ''
The Testament of Mary ''The Testament of Mary'' is a short novel by Irish writer Colm Tóibín. The book was published on 13 November 2012 by Scribner's. The novel is written from the point of view of Mary, mother of Jesus, reflecting in her old age on her son's li ...
'' on Broadway with the 2013 United Solo Special Award. Shaw appeared in season four of the American TV show '' True Blood''. Shaw's character, Marnie Stonebrook, has been described as an underachieving palm reader who is spiritually possessed by an actual witch. In 2018, Shaw began portraying Carolyn Martens, the head of MI6's Russia-focused branch, in BBC America's '' Killing Eve''. For her performance, she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Television Series. Later the same year, she played a senior MI6 officer in ''
Mrs Wilson ''Mrs Wilson'' (formerly known as ''The Wilsons'') is a 2018 British historical drama serial, executive-produced by and starring Ruth Wilson. The actress plays her real-life grandmother, a widow who uncovers a mysterious and secret life followin ...
''. She currently stars in the ''
Star Wars ''Star Wars'' is an American epic space opera multimedia franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has been expanded into various film ...
'' television series '' Andor'', a prequel to the movie '' Rogue One'', as the
titular character The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piece. The title of ...
's adoptive mother, Maarva Andor. Shaw is an award-winning audiobook narrator; in October 2022, Shaw was awarded an AudioFile Magazine
Earphone Award ''AudioFile'' is a print and online magazine whose mission is to review "unabridged and abridged audiobooks, original audio programs, commentary, and dramatizations in the spoken-word format. The focus of reviews is the audio presentation, not the ...
for her performance of ''The Bullet That Missed'', the third book in Richard Osman's '' The Thursday Murder Club'' series.


Personal life

Shaw is a lesbian, although she had dated men for many years before realising her sexual orientation, stating "It was a shock. I was full of self-hatred and thought I would come back into the fold shortly. But I just didn't." A Catholic, from 2002 to 2005, Shaw was the partner of English actress
Saffron Burrows Saffron Domini Burrows (born 22 October 1972) is an English actress and model who has appeared in films such as '' Circle of Friends,'' '' Wing Commander,'' '' Deep Blue Sea,'' '' Gangster No. 1,'' ''Enigma,'' '' Troy,'' ''Reign Over Me'' and '' ...
. She met Sri Lankan economist Sonali Deraniyagala after reading Deraniyagala's memoir, and they married in 2018.


Filmography


Film


Television


Other projects

* ''
When Love Speaks ''When Love Speaks'' is a compilation album that features interpretations of William Shakespeare's sonnets – some spoken, some set to music – and excerpts from his plays by famous actors and musicians, released under EMI Classics in April ...
'' (2002, EMI Classics): "It is thy will thy image should keep open" * '' Simon Schama's John Donne'': 2009


Awards and nominations


References


External links

* *
World Theatre
– ''Working in the Theatre Seminar'' video at American Theatre Wing.org, January 2002
Fiona Shaw
interviewed by Sophie Elmhirst on New Statesman, September 2009
Fiona Shaw (director)
on Operabase {{DEFAULTSORT:Shaw, Fiona 1958 births Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Alumni of University College Cork Irish lesbian actresses Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners Drama Desk Award winners Honorary Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Irish film actresses Irish stage actresses Irish television actresses Irish theatre directors Irish voice actresses Audiobook narrators Irish Shakespearean actresses Living people Irish opera directors Laurence Olivier Award winners People from County Cork People educated at Scoil Mhuire, Cork Royal Shakespeare Company members 20th-century Irish actresses 21st-century Irish actresses LGBT entertainers from Ireland LGBT Roman Catholics Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Award (television) winners Theatre World Award winners