Polly Walker

Polly Alexandra Walker (born 19 May 1966) is an English actress. She has starred in the films '' Enchanted April'' (1991), ''Patriot Games'' (1992), ''Sliver'' (1993), ''Restoration'' (1995), '' The Gambler'' (1997), and '' Savage Messiah'' (2002). In 2006, she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her role in the drama series ''Rome'' (2005–2007). She is also known for her roles in BBC One dramas ''Prisoners’ Wives'' (2012–2013), '' Line of Duty'' (2016, 2019) and Netflix Original period drama ''Bridgerton'' (2020).

Early life

Walker was born in Warrington, Lancashire. She attended Padgate
Church of England Primary School in Warrington and Bush Davies School of Ballet and Performing Arts in East Grinstead until joining Ballet Rambert School at 16. She had to abandon dancing after a leg injury at the age of 18. She then decided to become an actress. She attended Drama Centre London before working at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she played small roles for six months before getting cast in small roles on television.

Career

Film and television

Walker landed the title role in the television series ''Lorna Doone'' before making her feature debut in ''Shogun Mayeda'' (aka ''Journey of Honor'') (1991). In that same year she appeared in ''Les Equilibristes'' and in Mike Newell's '' Enchanted April'', in which she played an aristocrat eager to escape the attentions of her persistent male admirers. Walker first gained international attention in 1992 as a single-minded English member of an Irish terrorist group in Phillip Noyce's ''Patriot Games''. In 2003 she had a starring role in the BBC
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