Laura Fraser

Born: July 24 1976
Where: Hillhead, Glasgow, UK

The actress took time out of her drama course to make her big screen debut in Gillie MacKinnon's Small Faces.

She had earlier played hookey to star as Little Red Riding Hood in the Peter Mullan short Good Days for Bad Guys.

However, when the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama voiced their disapproval she dropped out and moved to London...and success on TV and in film.

The daughter of a builder-turn-playwright and college lecturer, Fraser got the acting bug when starring in a school play written by her dad.

After moving south (she shared a flat with Anna Friel) she landed the starring female role in the BBC adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s NeverWhere.

From there she moved to several small or supporting roles in films including Cousin Bette and Man in the Iron Mask (alongside Leonard DiCaprio).

Her role in Left Luggage led to her playing one of the main character roles in the black comedy Divorcing Jack with David Thewlis.

Her profile was raised still further with the the lead role of Justine in the comedy Virtual Sexuality in 1999.

Subsequent appearances included Lavinia in Titus with Anthony Hopkins, the Harry Enfield comedy Kevin & Perry Go Large and the part of Kate the Farrier in A Knight's Tale.

She had a minor role as The Future in Vanilla Sky and also starred in Richard Jobson's directorial debut 16 Years of Alcohol with Kevin McKidd.