Lesley Manville

Biography

Lesley Manville is a powerhouse of British acting, known for her extraordinary range and her long-standing collaboration with director Mike Leigh. Raised in a working-class household in Hove, she trained as a soprano before turning to acting as a teenager. While she has been a staple of the British stage and screen for over four decades, her 2017 role as Cyril Woodcock in Phantom Thread catapulted her into global stardom, earning her an Academy Award nomination. In the mid-2020s, Manville has become a household name for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in the final seasons of The Crown. As of February 2026, she is dominating both the West End and international cinema. She recently won her second Olivier Award for Best Actress for Oedipus (2025) and is currently starring in a high-profile production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre.

Known For

Social & Reach