Gemma Arterton

Gemma Christina Arterton, born on 2 February 1986, is a versatile English actress and producer. She marked her stage debut with Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost at the Globe Theatre in 2007. Transitioning to the big screen, Arterton burst onto the scene with her role in the comedy St Trinian's (2007). Her breakthrough came as the Bond Girl Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace (2008), earning her an Empire Award for Best Newcomer. She further showcased her action chops as spy Pollyana "Polly" Wilkins / Agent Galahad in The King's Man (2021).


Arterton's filmography is diverse, encompassing notable roles in The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009), Tamara Drewe (2010), Clash of the Titans (2010), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), Their Finest (2016), The Escape (2017), and Vita and Virginia (2018). Her performance in The Escape earned her the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year Award for acting and producing.


In theater, Arterton has shone in productions like The Duchess of Malfi (2014), Made in Dagenham (2014), Nell Gwynn (2016), and Saint Joan (2017). Her outstanding work garnered Olivier Award nominations for Nell Gwynn and Made in Dagenham, with a win at the Evening Standard Theatre Award for the latter.
Since 2016, Arterton has been at the forefront of championing female-led content in the entertainment industry through her production company, Rebel Park Productions. Her dedication to promoting diversity in storytelling, both in front of and behind the camera, marks her as a true trailblazer in the film industry.


Gemma Christina Arterton, born on 2 February 1986 at North Kent Hospital in Gravesend, entered the world with polydactyly, a condition resulting in extra fingers which were promptly removed after her birth. Her upbringing was marked by the separation of her parents, Sally-Anne Heap, who managed a cleaning business, and Barry J. Arterton, a welder. Raised on a council estate alongside her younger sister, Hannah Arterton, who followed her into the acting profession.


Educated at Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, Arterton showcased her early talent in a production of Alan Ayckbourn's The Boy Who Fell into a Book, earning recognition as the best actress at a local festival. At 16, she pursued her passion for acting, leaving school to enroll at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College in Dartford. Her dedication to her craft led her to further studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she honed her skills, graduating in 2008.


Arterton's journey into the professional realm commenced with Stephen Poliakoff's Capturing Mary, undertaken while still at drama school. Her theatrical debut as Rosaline in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost at the Globe Theatre in London in July 2007 marked a significant milestone before her graduation later that year. Transitioning to the silver screen, she made her film bow in St Trinian's (2007) as Head Girl Kelly.


The pivotal year of 2008 saw her ascend to international recognition with a role in the James Bond franchise's Quantum of Solace. Selected from a vast pool of contenders, Arterton embodied the Bond Girl Strawberry Fields, a role of considerable prominence. Describing her character as "the thinking man's crumpet," she left an indelible mark on the franchise. Concurrently, she took on the titular role in the BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles, showcasing her versatility.


In the same year, Arterton assumed the persona of Elizabeth Bennet in the ITV serial Lost in Austen. However, it was her daring portrayal in the 2009 film The Disappearance of Alice Creed that sparked controversy. Tasked with depicting a character subjected to harrowing circumstances, Arterton's performance garnered critical acclaim, with her adeptness in handling the role's physical and emotional rigors noted by reviewers.


Arterton's association with the Bond franchise extended beyond the screen as she became the face of Avon's Bond Girl 007 fragrance upon its launch in October 2008. In 2010, she ventured into the West End, marking her debut in the UK premiere of The Little Dog Laughed. Despite initial plans to portray Catherine Earnshaw in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Arterton eventually parted ways with the project.


Arterton's cinematic journey continued to flourish in 2010 with her involvement in pivotal roles in Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, alongside her lead portrayal in Tamara Drewe. Simultaneously, she wowed audiences on stage at the Almeida Theatre in The Master Builder, receiving widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Hilde Wangel.
Recognized for her stellar performances, Arterton earned a nomination for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Rising Star Award in 2011, with considerations for Leading Actress for her roles in Tamara Drewe and The Disappearance of Alice Creed. Her contributions to the film industry were further acknowledged when she joined the main competition jury at the 2012 International Film Festival of Marrakech.


Arterton's versatility shone through as she ventured into action horror with Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters in 2013, followed by a captivating turn in John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. She continued to display her range in the psychological thriller The Voices alongside Ryan Reynolds, Anna Kendrick, and Jacki Weaver.
2015 saw Arterton take on the titular role in Gemma Bovery, a reimagining of Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, displaying her dedication by learning French for the part. Her commitment to storytelling extended to the stage with her role in Made in Dagenham, where she portrayed Rita O'Grady, earning her an Evening Standard award for Newcomer in a Musical despite mixed reviews.


Despite facing challenges in casting, Arterton's talent remained undeniable. Her portrayal in Nell Gwynn garnered critical acclaim, earning her an Olivier Award nomination. As an advocate for female-centric storytelling, she established Rebel Park Productions in 2016, producing projects like Leading Lady Parts, which supported Time's Up. Her commitment to her craft continued with roles in The Girl with All the Gifts and Orpheline, where she showcased her prowess in the French language.

References

1.  "When GQ met Gemma Arterton". GQ. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
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.
3. a b c "Gemma Arterton Nominated for 2011 BAFTA Rising Star Award". Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
4. ^ "Gemma Arterton profile". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
5. ^ "London Review: Love's Labour's Lost", CurtainUp.com. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
6. ^ Olly Richards (17 December 2007). "Gemma Arterton Is Bond 22's Girl". Empire. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
7. ^ "Bond 22 Pre-Production Diary (22)". MI6-HQ.com. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
8. ^ "Gemma Arterton – Billion Dollar Bond Girl". MI6 Confidential. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
9. ^ "Gemma Arterton stars in Lost in Austen and Tess of the d'Urbervilles". The Times. London, UK. 31 August 2008. (subscription required)
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ "'DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED' WAS 'DEMANDING,' GEMMA ARTERTON SAYS". MTV. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
12. - "Fast Chat with Gemma Arterton". Newsday. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
13. - "Arterton: Crew had to 'gag' me!". Daily Mirror. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
14. ^ Scheck, Frank (14 October 2010). "The Disappearance of Alice Creed -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
15. ^ Singh, Anita (15 May 2009). "Bond girl Gemma Arterton to star in Wuthering Heights 'teen drama'". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2009.