Keeley Hawes was born on 10th February 1976 in London, England. Her
Birth name was originally Claire Hawes; however she later changed it to Keeley.
Keeley Hawes grew up in Marleybone close to Sylvia Young Theatre School. She would here some of the student sign there and wanted to attend. She managed to enter with a free grant There she was taught elocution lessons, one of the reasons why she was perfect for the Lara Croft role and why she has her amazing voice..
At the age of 16, while she was walking down Oxford Street in London, she was spotted by a modelling agency. She decided to model and stuck with the job for eighteen months, although she didn’t like it; referring to it as “A bit scummy.” After she decided to be a fashion assistant for the Cosmopolitan.
She had always had a passion for acting, and while working as a fashion assistant she was noticed by a TV executive who has come across one of her modelling photos. She got a role as Linda Langer in “Karaoke” (1996). She also appeared in “The Moonstone” in same year as Rachel Verinder. Keeley had been involved in Television work before 1996. In 1989 she got the role of Carol in “Forever Green”, the role of Mandy in six episodes of “Troublemakers” in 1990 and Sarah Mabledene in "Ruth Rendell Mysteries" in 1992.
Her roles on TV became more frequent after “Karaoke”. She starred in “Cold Lazarus”, “Pie in the Sky”, "The Beggar Bride" and “Heartbeat”all in 1996. Ironically, she became more her work became more frequent the same year the original Tomb Raider was released.
In 1998, Keeley got landed the role of Lizzie Hexam in “Our Mutual Friend” not to be confused with “Mutual Friends” in 2008. Also, in the same year Keeley got a role in “The Avengers” also starring Sean Connery. “The Cater Street Hangman” soon followed with Mrs. Hawes playing the role of Charlotte Ellison.
In 26th April 1999 “The Blonde Bombshell” was released as a TV Movie set in 1950 starring Keeley as a young Diana Dors. The film was split into two parts and together was 3hrs 20mins long. For the character, she had to gain 15 pounds however Keeley was fine with this as she learnt when she was a model to be fine with her body. In an interview Keeley admitted that she had not been aware of Diana Dors before her role.
Also in 1999, Keeley played the role of Lois Farquar in “The Last September” which starred David Tennant and Maggie Smith. The movie is 103mins long and is based on a novel wrote by Elizabeth Bowen whose book was published in 1929.
Over the past 3 years, Keeley had starred in a variety of different movies and shows, including “Wives and Daughters” for four episodes as Cynthia Kirkpatrick. “Complicity” as Yvonne in 2000. “Hotel” in 2001 as Tricia. “Murder in Mind” as Deborah for an episode in the same year, as well as playing Dessie Braband in “Othello”. In 2002 Keeley played Gillian Rogers in “A is for Acid” and Jane in the comedy movie “Me and Mrs. Jones”.
In 2003 Keeley got the role of Kitty Butler in “Tipping the Velvet” which ignited some controversy in the media. The story was set in 1890, and won 5 wins and 2 nominations for the film. The main characters Kitty Butler (played by Keeley Hawes) and Nan Astley (played by Rachael Stirling) falls in love however the problem is that Nan is already married.
The same year, she played Samantha Taggert in “Chaos and Cadavers”. As well as playing Emily in “The Knight Tales” of “Canterbury Tales.” Keeley played the part of Christine Callaghan in "Lucky Jim". In 2004 Keeley got the role of Kate in “Sex & Lies” as well as playing Dr. Julia Ogden in two episodes of “The Murdoch Mysteries”
In 2002 Keeley one of her most recognised roles in the TV series; "Spooks", playing the role of Zoe Reynolds. She starred in 22 episodes spanning across from 2002 to 2004. Spooks is also known as “M1-5” in the US. In the show she met a man who she later married in October 2004 (Mathew Macfadyen).
After spooks Keeley landed in several roles including “Marple: A Murder is Announced” in 2005 as Philippa Haymes, a mystery crime tale. As well as “A Cock and Bull Story” in the same year, where Keeley played the part of Elizabeth in the comedy film. In 2005 Keeley got a role in “Shakespeare Re-told” as Ella in “Macbeth” and later starred in “Under the Greenwood Tree” as Fancy Day. In 2006 she starred as Kate Sheldrake in “The Best Man” She also attended the BAFTA 2006.
In 2006 Keeley Hawes got the role as the voice of Tomb Raider’s protagonist; Lady Lara Croft in the new "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Legend". Since Eidos transferred the copyright over to Crystal Dynamics, they had introduced several new changes to the games. Including a new look to Lara, new goals, new official Model (Karima Adebibe) and a new voice; Keeley Hawes. In the game, Lara is looking for a stone dais in first level, she then realises that it is a connection to her past and must travel the globe in search for five artefacts to unlock a secret from her own past, about her mother’s disappearance.
After Tomb Raider Legend. Keeley went forward to star in more shows. In 2006 she appeared in “After Thomas” as Nicola Graham. Before starring in “The Vicar of Dibley” in the show Keeley takes the role of Rosie Kennedy, the sister to the main character’s fiancé. The main character (Geraldine Granger) notices her fiancé and Rosie spending time together, and becomes quite jealous, unaware that Rosie is actually her fiancé’s sister and not partner. After “The Vicar of Dibley” Keeley starred in “Death at a Funeral” as Jane in 2007.
It wasn’t long before Keeley returned to the character of Lara Croft. This time for "Tomb Raider Anniversary". Which celebrated ten years since the original Tomb Raider was released. In the game Lara had to search for three parts of a scion after she was betrayed by her client who wanted to get one part of the scion in Peru.Keeley also narrated the "Gametap's Tomb Raider Documentary".
It was a busy year for Keeley in 2008, after Tomb Raider Anniversary. She starred in “The Bank Job” as Wendy Leather, followed by “Flashback of a Fool.” As Jesse Scott.
She also starred in “Mutual Friends” for six episodes as Jen Grantham. The series however was unfortunately not renewed. She also attended the “Telstar After party” after the 52nd London Film Festival, at the Odeon West End on October 25, 2008 in London, England.
Also in 2008, Keeley Hawes began a series, which followed on from “Life on Mars” called "Ashes to Ashes". It first takes place in 2008 where Keeley plays Alex Drake, a mother and a police officer. As she is driving her daughter (Molly) to her Godfather, Alex is called to duty as a man with a gun calls for her (Arthur Layton). She has no choice but to respond. In the end Alex is kidnapped by Arthur who tells her it’s for her own good before shooting her. Alex is not dead, but unconscious. She wakes up to find herself in 1981 as DI Alex Drake who has recently moved to a police station and joined a team that Sam Tyler (star of Life on Mars and friend of Alex) had joined lead by Gene Hunt (Philip Glensiter). Keeley also attended the Frost/Nixon Premier, ITV3 Crime Scene Awards, Sex in the City Premier, Bafta TV Awards 2008, and Glamour Woman of the Year awards where Keeley won “Best UK Actress of the Year Award”.
In November 2008, "Tomb Raider Underworld" was released, which featured Keeley as the voice of Lara Croft. In the game, Lara is continuing from the cliff-hanger Tomb Raider Legend had left and delving deeper, away from the Arthurian myth that Legend had followed and to Norse Mythology to uncover if her mother was being held in a mythical paradise and the truth of what happened as a child.
Keeley became the new face of No.7 in 2008. She has appeared in several TV adverts as well as full page close up advertisements in magazines (often found in the Heat. No.7 is exclusive to Boots Pharmacy.
In 2009, Keeley starred in “Identity” as DSI Martha Lawson, before returning for a second series of "Ashes to Ashes". In the first series the question for Alex was “Can she prevent her parent’s car bombing?” whereas the question for the second series was; “How can she get back.” In the second series there is a focus on police corruption in 1982, and the messages reminding Alex of “Operation Rose”.
In January 2009, she attended the Radio Times Cover Party with Philip Glensister, John Simm and Dean Andrews. The Radio Times Cover Party is a celebration of every show that has appeared on the cover. Ashes to Ashes appeared on the front cover promoting the first showing of the first series. The same year she has also attended the Bafta Film 2009. Keeley had also done some charity work for Chase Hospice in 2009
Keeley has also attended “London Film and Comic Con” on 18th July. Where she took part in an entire day signing as well as a photo session with the fans.
Please keep visiting back. This biography will keep on being updated with more material as Keeley continues her projects. Watch out for announcements of series three of Ashes to Ashes.
Birth name was originally Claire Hawes; however she later changed it to Keeley. Keeley Hawes grew up in Marleybone close to Sylvia Young Theatre School. She would here some of the student sign there and wanted to attend. She managed to enter with a free grant There she was taught elocution lessons, one of the reasons why she was perfect for the Lara Croft role and why she has her amazing voice..
At the age of 16, while she was walking down Oxford Street in London, she was spotted by a modelling agency. She decided to model and stuck with the job for eighteen months, although she didn’t like it; referring to it as “A bit scummy.” After she decided to be a fashion assistant for the Cosmopolitan.
She had always had a passion for acting, and while working as a fashion assistant she was noticed by a TV executive who has come across one of her modelling photos. She got a role as Linda Langer in “Karaoke” (1996). She also appeared in “The Moonstone” in same year as Rachel Verinder. Keeley had been involved in Television work before 1996. In 1989 she got the role of Carol in “Forever Green”, the role of Mandy in six episodes of “Troublemakers” in 1990 and Sarah Mabledene in "Ruth Rendell Mysteries" in 1992.
Her roles on TV became more frequent after “Karaoke”. She starred in “Cold Lazarus”, “Pie in the Sky”, "The Beggar Bride" and “Heartbeat”all in 1996. Ironically, she became more her work became more frequent the same year the original Tomb Raider was released.
In 1998, Keeley got landed the role of Lizzie Hexam in “Our Mutual Friend” not to be confused with “Mutual Friends” in 2008. Also, in the same year Keeley got a role in “The Avengers” also starring Sean Connery. “The Cater Street Hangman” soon followed with Mrs. Hawes playing the role of Charlotte Ellison.
In 26th April 1999 “The Blonde Bombshell” was released as a TV Movie set in 1950 starring Keeley as a young Diana Dors. The film was split into two parts and together was 3hrs 20mins long. For the character, she had to gain 15 pounds however Keeley was fine with this as she learnt when she was a model to be fine with her body. In an interview Keeley admitted that she had not been aware of Diana Dors before her role.
Also in 1999, Keeley played the role of Lois Farquar in “The Last September” which starred David Tennant and Maggie Smith. The movie is 103mins long and is based on a novel wrote by Elizabeth Bowen whose book was published in 1929.
Over the past 3 years, Keeley had starred in a variety of different movies and shows, including “Wives and Daughters” for four episodes as Cynthia Kirkpatrick. “Complicity” as Yvonne in 2000. “Hotel” in 2001 as Tricia. “Murder in Mind” as Deborah for an episode in the same year, as well as playing Dessie Braband in “Othello”. In 2002 Keeley played Gillian Rogers in “A is for Acid” and Jane in the comedy movie “Me and Mrs. Jones”.
In 2003 Keeley got the role of Kitty Butler in “Tipping the Velvet” which ignited some controversy in the media. The story was set in 1890, and won 5 wins and 2 nominations for the film. The main characters Kitty Butler (played by Keeley Hawes) and Nan Astley (played by Rachael Stirling) falls in love however the problem is that Nan is already married.
The same year, she played Samantha Taggert in “Chaos and Cadavers”. As well as playing Emily in “The Knight Tales” of “Canterbury Tales.” Keeley played the part of Christine Callaghan in "Lucky Jim". In 2004 Keeley got the role of Kate in “Sex & Lies” as well as playing Dr. Julia Ogden in two episodes of “The Murdoch Mysteries”
In 2002 Keeley one of her most recognised roles in the TV series; "Spooks", playing the role of Zoe Reynolds. She starred in 22 episodes spanning across from 2002 to 2004. Spooks is also known as “M1-5” in the US. In the show she met a man who she later married in October 2004 (Mathew Macfadyen).
After spooks Keeley landed in several roles including “Marple: A Murder is Announced” in 2005 as Philippa Haymes, a mystery crime tale. As well as “A Cock and Bull Story” in the same year, where Keeley played the part of Elizabeth in the comedy film. In 2005 Keeley got a role in “Shakespeare Re-told” as Ella in “Macbeth” and later starred in “Under the Greenwood Tree” as Fancy Day. In 2006 she starred as Kate Sheldrake in “The Best Man” She also attended the BAFTA 2006.
In 2006 Keeley Hawes got the role as the voice of Tomb Raider’s protagonist; Lady Lara Croft in the new "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Legend". Since Eidos transferred the copyright over to Crystal Dynamics, they had introduced several new changes to the games. Including a new look to Lara, new goals, new official Model (Karima Adebibe) and a new voice; Keeley Hawes. In the game, Lara is looking for a stone dais in first level, she then realises that it is a connection to her past and must travel the globe in search for five artefacts to unlock a secret from her own past, about her mother’s disappearance.
"Lara Croft is such a strong and powerful character, but she also has an edge to her, which was great to portray vocally."
After Tomb Raider Legend. Keeley went forward to star in more shows. In 2006 she appeared in “After Thomas” as Nicola Graham. Before starring in “The Vicar of Dibley” in the show Keeley takes the role of Rosie Kennedy, the sister to the main character’s fiancé. The main character (Geraldine Granger) notices her fiancé and Rosie spending time together, and becomes quite jealous, unaware that Rosie is actually her fiancé’s sister and not partner. After “The Vicar of Dibley” Keeley starred in “Death at a Funeral” as Jane in 2007.
It wasn’t long before Keeley returned to the character of Lara Croft. This time for "Tomb Raider Anniversary". Which celebrated ten years since the original Tomb Raider was released. In the game Lara had to search for three parts of a scion after she was betrayed by her client who wanted to get one part of the scion in Peru.Keeley also narrated the "Gametap's Tomb Raider Documentary".
It was a busy year for Keeley in 2008, after Tomb Raider Anniversary. She starred in “The Bank Job” as Wendy Leather, followed by “Flashback of a Fool.” As Jesse Scott.
"I've nothing against stay-at-home mums, but I love going to work, I love what I do and I wouldn't want to start resenting my home life if I was staying home 365 days a year."
She also starred in “Mutual Friends” for six episodes as Jen Grantham. The series however was unfortunately not renewed. She also attended the “Telstar After party” after the 52nd London Film Festival, at the Odeon West End on October 25, 2008 in London, England.
Also in 2008, Keeley Hawes began a series, which followed on from “Life on Mars” called "Ashes to Ashes". It first takes place in 2008 where Keeley plays Alex Drake, a mother and a police officer. As she is driving her daughter (Molly) to her Godfather, Alex is called to duty as a man with a gun calls for her (Arthur Layton). She has no choice but to respond. In the end Alex is kidnapped by Arthur who tells her it’s for her own good before shooting her. Alex is not dead, but unconscious. She wakes up to find herself in 1981 as DI Alex Drake who has recently moved to a police station and joined a team that Sam Tyler (star of Life on Mars and friend of Alex) had joined lead by Gene Hunt (Philip Glensiter). Keeley also attended the Frost/Nixon Premier, ITV3 Crime Scene Awards, Sex in the City Premier, Bafta TV Awards 2008, and Glamour Woman of the Year awards where Keeley won “Best UK Actress of the Year Award”.
In November 2008, "Tomb Raider Underworld" was released, which featured Keeley as the voice of Lara Croft. In the game, Lara is continuing from the cliff-hanger Tomb Raider Legend had left and delving deeper, away from the Arthurian myth that Legend had followed and to Norse Mythology to uncover if her mother was being held in a mythical paradise and the truth of what happened as a child.
Keeley became the new face of No.7 in 2008. She has appeared in several TV adverts as well as full page close up advertisements in magazines (often found in the Heat. No.7 is exclusive to Boots Pharmacy.
"I was delighted. To be offered a beauty contract when I’m in my 30s with three kids made me go, “Yay!”’
In 2009, Keeley starred in “Identity” as DSI Martha Lawson, before returning for a second series of "Ashes to Ashes". In the first series the question for Alex was “Can she prevent her parent’s car bombing?” whereas the question for the second series was; “How can she get back.” In the second series there is a focus on police corruption in 1982, and the messages reminding Alex of “Operation Rose”.
In January 2009, she attended the Radio Times Cover Party with Philip Glensister, John Simm and Dean Andrews. The Radio Times Cover Party is a celebration of every show that has appeared on the cover. Ashes to Ashes appeared on the front cover promoting the first showing of the first series. The same year she has also attended the Bafta Film 2009. Keeley had also done some charity work for Chase Hospice in 2009
Keeley has also attended “London Film and Comic Con” on 18th July. Where she took part in an entire day signing as well as a photo session with the fans.
Please keep visiting back. This biography will keep on being updated with more material as Keeley continues her projects. Watch out for announcements of series three of Ashes to Ashes.
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