Emma Laird
English actress
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Emma Laird is an English actress. On television, she is known for her role in the Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown. Her films include A Haunting in Venice (2023), The Brutalist (2024) and Satisfaction (2025).[1]
Emma Laird | |
|---|---|
Laird modelling for Vivienne Westwood in 2021 | |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Early life
Laird is from Chesterfield.[2] She attended Tupton Hall School, completing her A Levels in 2014.[3][4]
Career
Modelling
Scouted by Models 1 at Leeds Festival when she was 18,[5] Laird was a model for seven years.[2][6] In 2019, she became the face of Pandora for the brand's autumn campaign.[7][8] Laird has spoken critically of the modelling industry, calling it "very dangerous for young girls" as she was repeatedly told to lose weight. In addition, the lack of creative freedom "bored" her.[9] Fatigued, she enrolled in acting classes at the New York Film Academy.[10]
Acting
In April 2021, Laird was cast in her debut television role in the Paramount+ crime thriller Mayor of Kingstown as Iris, "a dancer who uses her charms to her benefit, until those charms are used against her". The series premiered later that year.[1] The Hollywood Reporter said Laird's handling of concurrent offers "lit up the town's buzz meter".[11] In October 2021, Variety included Laird in their annual list of 10 Brits to Watch.[12]
In 2023, Laird starred in the Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room[13] and made her feature film debut in Kenneth Branagh's A Haunting in Venice.[14] The following year, she was part of the ensemble cast of the film The Brutalist (2024).[15] Laird appeared as cult member Jimmima in Danny Boyle's 2025 film 28 Years Later. The following year, she reprised the role in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta.[16][17][18]
By February 2025, Laird was cast in Terry Gilliam's upcoming comedy film Carnival: At the End of Days.[19][20]
Filmography
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | A Haunting in Venice | Desdemona Holland | [21] | |
| 2024 | The Brutalist | Audrey | [22] | |
| 2025 | Satisfaction | Lola | [23] | |
| 28 Years Later | Jimmima | [16] | ||
| Fackham Hall | Poppy Davenport | [24] | ||
| 2026 | 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Jimmima | [16] | |
| 2027 | Blood on Snow † | TBA | Post-production | [25] |
| TBA | The Housekeeper † | Daphne du Maurier | Filming | [26] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Mayor of Kingstown | Iris | Main role, 30 episodes | [1] |
| 2023 | The Crowded Room | Annabelle | Miniseries, 5 episodes | [27] |
| 2026 | War † | Molly Giordano | Upcoming series | [28] |
| TBA | Neuromancer † | Linda Lee | Upcoming series | [29] |
| TBA | Mint † | Shannon | Upcoming series | [30] |