Raised in Germany, Malta and Australia

Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company after graduating from RADA

Starred in the British TV series "Catherine Cookson's 'The Mallens'" (Granada TV)

Stage debut in "Other Worlds" at Royal Court Theatre

Became associate artist with Royal Shakespeare Company

Co-starred with Alan Rickman in the stage adaptation of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"

Had featured role in "Life Story/Double Helix/The Race for the Double Helix" (BBC; aired in the USA on Arts & Entertainment)

Film debut in Peter Greenaway's "Drowning by Numbers" (released in USA in 1991)

Portrayed "Hedda Gabler" in the West End

Co-starred in "Burn This" in the West End

Originated role of Paulina in Ariel Dorfman's "Death and the Maiden" on London Stage; not permitted to recreate role in USA

Breakthrough film role, Nina in "Truly, Madly, Deeply"; starred opposite Alan Rickman

Cast as Nora in TV adaptation of "A Doll's House" (shown on PBS in America)

American stage debut, the L.A. production of "Scenes from an Execution"

Starred in the film version of David Hare's "The Secret Rapture"

Had supporting role of Mrs Elton in Douglas McGrath's "Emma"

Headlined "The Politician's Wife" (aired in USA on PBS' "Masterpiece Theatre")

Starred in the British TV-movie "Cider With Rosie"

Acted in the Royal Court Theatre production of "The Country" opposite Owen Teale

Played the mother in the Australian TV-movie "The Road from Coorain"; based on Jill Ker Conway's autobiography

Co-starred in "Mona Lisa Smile" with Julia Roberts and Kirsten Dunst

Starred opposite Jeremy Irons and Annette Bening in "Being Julia"

Cast in Anthony Minghella's ensemble "Breaking and Entering"

Reunites with director Doug McGrath for the Truman Capote biopic "Infamous"

Starred in the British film "Pierrepoint," directed by Adrian Shergold about the life of British executioner Albert Pierrepoint