---
name: "Sally Hawkins"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sally-hawkins"
fi1m_id: "sally-hawkins"
imdb_id: "nm1020089"
tmdb_id: 39658
wikidata_id: "Q233563"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 April 1976"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 18
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 18
updated: "2026-10-07T16:25:16.243000+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sally Hawkins

## Identity

Sally Hawkins

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sally-hawkins
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sally-hawkins
- **IMDb ID:** nm1020089
- **TMDB ID:** 39658
- **Wikidata ID:** Q233563
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Hawkins, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233563, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020089/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/39658

Actor. Born 27 April 1976 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 April 1976, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Also known as:** Sally Cecilia Hawkins
- **Frequently works with:** [Ken Watanabe](https://film.one/person/ken-watanabe.md), [Ben Whishaw](https://film.one/person/ben-whishaw.md), [Brian Rogers](https://film.one/person/brian-rogers.md), [Carey Mulligan](https://film.one/person/carey-mulligan.md), [David Heyman](https://film.one/person/david-heyman.md), [Eddie Marsan](https://film.one/person/eddie-marsan.md), [Elizabeth Karlsen](https://film.one/person/elizabeth-karlsen.md), [Hugh Bonneville](https://film.one/person/hugh-bonneville.md)
- **Berlin International Film Festival:** 1 Berlin prize (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 18 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 83 (3), 2010s 75 (11), 2020s 73 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 73 across 17 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 16 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 13, Romance 6, Comedy 5, Family 4, Adventure 3, Science Fiction 3
- **Screen time:** 32 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,643m across 17 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Hawkins, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233563, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1020089/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/39658

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Paddington*](https://film.one/film/paddington.md) (84), [*Blue Jasmine*](https://film.one/film/blue-jasmine.md) (82), [*Submarine*](https://film.one/film/submarine.md) (82), [*An Education*](https://film.one/film/an-education.md) (82)
- **HBO Max:** [*Paddington 2*](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md) (91), [*The Shape of Water*](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md) (83), [*Godzilla: King of the Monsters*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters.md) (48)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Vera Drake*](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md) (84), [*Kensuke's Kingdom*](https://film.one/film/kensukes-kingdom.md) (76)
- **Apple TV:** [*Bring Her Back*](https://film.one/film/bring-her-back.md) (74), [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-2014.md) (68)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sally Hawkins

> Sally Hawkins makes kindness convincing enough to catch us off guard. Her attention to speech and movement serves intimate dramas and family films, but *Bring Her Back* finds something frightening in the same apparently unforced warmth.

In *Bring Her Back* (2025), Sally Hawkins offers tea, hugs and drinks to children who should not be drinking. Her foster mother, Laura, talks constantly and laughs at her own jokes, yet never seems to stop watching. There is no ominous pause to warn us, no sudden chill in the delivery. We found ourselves half-believing her because Hawkins makes the concern in her voice so persuasive. She lets us see why someone might trust this woman, which is what makes the performance frightening.

Her first major film role came with Mike Leigh’s *All or Nothing* (2002), followed by Susan Wells in *Vera Drake* (2004) and the lead, Poppy, in *Happy-Go-Lucky* (2008). Leigh develops characters through extended improvisation and rehearsal, a method suited to her closely observed performances. That preparation helps explain why she can appear so open without seeming to demonstrate a feeling for our benefit. *Vera Drake* earns our recommendation through Imelda Staunton and the patient family scenes, though Leigh is too protective of Vera’s goodness.

That work does not confine her to talkative characters or intimate British drama. In Guillermo del Toro’s *The Shape of Water* (2017), her mute lead, Elisa Esposito, depends on physical expression to convey an inner life. The move to family films, including Mary Brown in *Paddington 2* (2017), puts her emotional openness to another use.

The Philippou brothers put that openness to a harsher use in *Bring Her Back*, and Hawkins is the reason we recommend it to horror viewers. Laura greets Piper like a returning relative and Andy like a lodger, a difference that makes the welcome uncomfortable without requiring an obvious display of menace. The film explains itself more than it needs to, and the performance makes that excess particularly noticeable. Hawkins has already made us wary through Laura’s constant attention and her easy affection; spelling things out cannot improve on that. Try it for her, provided a grim evening is what you had in mind.

## Biography

Sally Hawkins is an English actress. Born on 27 April 1976 in London, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began her career in stage productions including Shakespeare plays before appearing in film.

Her film roles include Mary Brown in *Paddington* (2014) and *Paddington 2* (2017), Elisa Esposito in *The Shape of Water* (2017), and Laura in *Bring Her Back* (2025). She has also appeared in *Blue Jasmine* (2013), *Godzilla* (2014) and *Wonka* (2023). Hawkins won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for *Happy-Go-Lucky* (2008) and received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (18)

- *Bring Her Back* (2025), Fi1m 74, as Laura — [page](https://film.one/film/bring-her-back.md)
- *Kensuke's Kingdom* (2024), Fi1m 76, as Mum (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kensukes-kingdom.md)
- *Wonka* (2023), Fi1m 68, as Willy's Mother — [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *Spencer* (2021), Fi1m 73, as Maggie — [page](https://film.one/film/spencer.md)
- *Godzilla: King of the Monsters* (2019), Fi1m 48, as Dr. Vivienne Graham — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters.md)
- *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91, as Mary Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *The Shape of Water* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Elisa Esposito — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *Godzilla* (2014), Fi1m 68, as Dr. Vivienne Graham — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-2014.md)
- *Paddington* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Mary Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/paddington.md)
- *Blue Jasmine* (2013), Fi1m 82, as Ginger — [page](https://film.one/film/blue-jasmine.md)
- *Great Expectations* (2012), Fi1m 57, as Mrs. Joe — [page](https://film.one/film/great-expectations-2012.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Eleanor — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Jane Eyre* (2011), Fi1m 77, as Mrs. Reed — [page](https://film.one/film/jane-eyre.md)
- *Submarine* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Jill Tate — [page](https://film.one/film/submarine.md)
- *Never Let Me Go* (2010), Fi1m 73, as Miss Lucy — [page](https://film.one/film/never-let-me-go.md)
- *An Education* (2009), Fi1m 82, as Sarah Goldman — [page](https://film.one/film/an-education.md)
- *Happy-Go-Lucky* (2008), Fi1m 83, as Poppy Cross — [page](https://film.one/film/happy-go-lucky.md)
- *Vera Drake* (2004), Fi1m 84, as Susan Wells — [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)

## Complete filmography (61)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Bring Her Back* (2025), as Laura — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/bring-her-back.md)
- *Kensuke's Kingdom* (2024), as Mum (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/kensukes-kingdom.md)
- *Wonka* (2023), as Willy's Mother — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *The Smeds and the Smoos* (2023), as Narrator (voice)
- *Mammals* (2022), series, as Lue
- *The Lost King* (2022), as Philippa Langley
- *The Phantom of the Open* (2022), as Jean Flitcroft
- *A Boy Called Christmas* (2021), as Mother Vodol
- *Spencer* (2021), as Maggie — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/spencer.md)
- *The Snail and the Whale* (2020), as Snail (voice)
- *Eternal Beauty* (2020), as Jane
- *Cordelia* (2019), Executive Producer
- *Godzilla: King of the Monsters* (2019), as Dr. Vivienne Graham — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters.md)
- *The Shape of Water* (2017), as Elisa Esposito — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shape-of-water.md)
- *Paddington 2* (2017), as Mary Brown — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *Maudie* (2016), as Maud Lewis
- *Stick Man* (2015), as Stick Lady & Others (voice)
- *X+Y* (2015), as Julie Ellis
- *Paddington* (2014), as Mary Brown — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/paddington.md)
- *Godzilla* (2014), as Dr. Vivienne Graham — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-2014.md)
- *The Double* (2014), as Receptionist at Ball
- *The Phone Call* (2013), as Heather
- *All Is Bright* (2013), as Olga
- *Blue Jasmine* (2013), as Ginger — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/blue-jasmine.md)
- *Room on the Broom* (2012), as Bird (voice)
- *Great Expectations* (2012), as Mrs. Joe — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/great-expectations-2012.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Eleanor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Submarine* (2011), as Jill Tate — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/submarine.md)
- *Jane Eyre* (2011), as Mrs. Reed — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/jane-eyre.md)
- *Love Birds* (2011), as Holly
- *Made in Dagenham* (2010), as Rita O'Grady
- *It's a Wonderful Afterlife* (2010), as Linda / Gitali
- *Never Let Me Go* (2010), as Miss Lucy — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/never-let-me-go.md)
- *An Education* (2009), as Sarah Goldman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/an-education.md)
- *Happy Ever Afters* (2009), as Maura
- *Desert Flower* (2009), as Marylin
- *Happy-Go-Lucky* (2008), as Poppy Cross — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/happy-go-lucky.md)
- *Cassandra's Dream* (2007), as Kate
- *WΔZ* (2007), as Elly Carpenter
- *Persuasion* (2007), as Anne Elliot
- *Man to Man with Dean Learner* (2006), series, as Marie Pising, Susan (voice), Documentarienne
- *HG Wells: War with the World* (2006), as Rebecca West
- *Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole in My Heart* (2006), as Nathalie Winter
- *Hollow China* (2006), as Terri
- *Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky* (2005), series, as Ella
- *Fingersmith* (2005), series, as Sue Trinder
- *Vera Drake* (2004), as Susan Wells — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *Layer Cake* (2004), as Slasher
- *The Young Visiters* (2003), as Rosalind
- *Promoted to Glory* (2003), as Lisa
- *Byron* (2003), as Mary Shelley
- *Byron* (2003), series, as Mary Shelley
- *Tipping the Velvet* (2002), series, as Zena Blake
- *All or Nothing* (2002), as Samantha
- *Doctors* (2000), series, as Sarah Carne
- *Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999), as Bystander (uncredited) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md)
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Emma Lister — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *Eloise*, Actor
- *The Semplica Girl Diaries*, Actor
- *How and Why*, as Yvonne Hesselman
- *Pretend I'm Not Here*, as Marie

## Gallery

- ![Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito in The Shape of Water (2017)](https://film.one/media/title/4685/still-68b86348937a.jpg) Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito in *The Shape of Water* (2017) — Image via TMDB
- ![The actress Sally Hawkins at the presentation of the movie Maudie at the Berlinale 2017](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-22fbf103c092.jpg) The actress Sally Hawkins at the presentation of the movie Maudie at the Berlinale 2017 — Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/MJK35133_Sally_Hawkins_%28Maudie%2C_Berlinale_2017%29.jpg/1280px-MJK35133_Sally_Hawkins_%28Maudie%2C_Berlinale_2017%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-ca0a6f2e937d.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/MJK35110_Sally_Hawkins_%28Maudie%2C_Berlinale_2017%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-237f898c352c.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-db5f599f1148.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-98b910e1b157.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-39f8601c9f7e.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-ace45a95b617.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB
- ![Sally Hawkins](https://film.one/media/person/310/gallery-0a4e2334bc81.jpg) Sally Hawkins — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 2018: Best Actress (nominated), for *The Shape of Water*
- 2014: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Blue Jasmine*

### Berlin International Film Festival — 1 won

- 2008: Silver Bear (won)

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- European Film Award for Best Actress 2008: European Film Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *Happy-Go-Lucky*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sally-hawkins