Raised in Newton Mearns, a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland

Was working in pubs in Glasgow when "discovered" by director Danny Boyle

Breakthrough screen role in Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting"

First leading role, "Stella Does Tricks"

Played supporting roles in the costume dramas "Cousin Bette" and "Elizabeth"

Was featured in "My Life so Far," a Scottish production starring Colin Firth

Starred in Phil Joanou's "Entropy" and Gregg Araki's "Splendor"

Acted opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Mike Figgis' "The Loss of Sexual Innocence"

Portrayed an Irishwoman who falls for an unlikely suitor in "Two Family House"

Co-starred in "Strictly Sinatra"

Had one of her best roles to date as the maid to the imperious Countess of Trentham in the Robert Altman-directed period mystery "Gosford Park"

Co-starred with Colin Farrell in the drama "Intermission"

Cast in "Finding Neverland" which details the experiences of 'Peter Pan' author J.M. Barrie

Co-starred with Bill Nighy in the HBO movie "The Girl in the Café"; earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress

Played the girlfriend of actor Steve Coogan's onscreen alter ego in "A Cock and Bull Story" directed by Michael Winterbottom

Played Josh Brolin's wife in the Coen brothers' film "No Country For Old Men"