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Sally Hawkins

Sally Hawkins

Actor, also producer · Born April 27, 1976 (50) · London, England, UK

Golden Globe winner · Oscar nominee · BAFTA Award nominee · 4 other major award bodies

Sally Cecilia Hawkins (born 27 April 1976) is an English actress of stage and screen. She began her career on stage and then moved into film, for which she has received several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards and two British Academy Film Awards. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she started her career as a stage actress in productions such as Romeo and Juliet (playing Juliet), Much Ado About Nothing, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her first major role was in Mike Leigh's All or Nothing in 2002. She continued working with Leigh, appearing in a supporting role in Vera Drake (2004) and taking the lead in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), for which she won several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and the Silver Bear for Best Actress. Hawkins appeared in two Woody Allen films, Cassandra's Dream (2007) and Blue Jasmine (2013); for the latter, she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to play lead roles in Made in Dagenham (2010), Paddington (2014), Maudie (2016), and Paddington 2 (2017). She appeared in Godzilla (2014), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Wonka (2023). For starring as Elisa Esposito, a mute cleaning woman in the fantasy film The Shape of Water (2017), she earned critical acclaim. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also appeared in stage productions with the Royal Court Theatre in London, and in 2010 made her Broadway debut in Mrs. Warren's Profession. In 2012, she starred in Constellations at the Royal Court Theatre, which later moved to the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End. On television, she appeared in the BBC adaptations of Tipping the Velvet (2002) as Zena Blake and Fingersmith (2005) as Sue Trinder. She also appeared as Anne Elliot in Persuasion (2007), ITV's adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. In 2025, Hawkins appeared in Bring Her Back, an Australian supernatural horror film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. Description above from the Wikipedia article Sally Hawkins, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 27, 1976 (50)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What are Sally Hawkins' films like?

Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Self
27%
Morality
15%
Survival
14%
Society
6%
Power
5%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds13 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love9 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 37 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 13 · Serious 10 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 10 · Charged 18 · Intense 9

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 21 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 15 · Funny 5

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 26 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 16 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 12 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 14

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 24 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

24 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 10 of 24 analyzed roles.

Ally
10 of 24
Hero
9 of 24
Trickster
1 of 24
Herald
1 of 24
Threshold guardian
1 of 24
Mentor
1 of 24
Shadow
1 of 24
Show the 24 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
21
Tense
18
Warm
15
Hopeful
15
Joyful
10
Other
42

How their films linger

Hopeful25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet16
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sally Hawkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sally Hawkins' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Bring Her Back(2025)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Kensuke's Kingdom(2023)

    as Mum (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Wonka(2023)

    as Willy's Mother

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Smeds and the Smoos(2022)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Mammals(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lue

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • The Lost King(2022)

    as Philippa Langley

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Phantom of the Open(2021)

    as Jean Flitcroft

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • A Boy Called Christmas(2021)

    as Mother Vodol

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Spencer(2021)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Snail and the Whale(2019)

    as Snail (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Eternal Beauty(2019)

    as Jane

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Cordelia(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters(2019)

    as Dr. Vivienne Graham

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Shape of Water(2017)

    as Elisa Esposito

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Paddington 2(2017)

    as Mary Brown

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Maudie(2016)

    as Maud Lewis

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Stick Man(2015)

    as Stick Lady & Others (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • A Brilliant Young Mind(2014)

    as Julie Ellis

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Paddington(2014)

    as Mary Brown

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Godzilla(2014)

    as Dr. Vivienne Graham

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Double(2013)

    as Receptionist at Ball

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Phone Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Heather

  • All Is Bright(2013)

    as Olga

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Blue Jasmine(2013)

    as Ginger

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Room on the Broom(2012)

    as Bird (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Great Expectations(2012)

    as Mrs. Joe

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Hollow Crown(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Eleanor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Submarine(2010)

    as Jill Tate

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Jane Eyre(2011)

    as Mrs. Reed

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Love Birds(2011)

    as Holly

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Made in Dagenham(2010)

    as Rita O'Grady

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • It's a Wonderful Afterlife(2010)

    as Linda / Gitali

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Never Let Me Go(2010)

    as Miss Lucy

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • An Education(2009)

    as Sarah Goldman

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Happy Ever Afters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Maura

  • Desert Flower(2009)

    as Marylin

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Happy-Go-Lucky(2008)

    as Poppy Cross

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Cassandra's Dream(2007)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Killing Gene(2007)

    as Elly Carpenter

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Persuasion(2007)

    as Anne Elliot

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Man to Man with Dean Learner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Documentarienne · as Marie Pising · as Susan (voice)

  • HG Wells: War with the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Rebecca West

  • Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole in My Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Nathalie Winter

  • Hollow China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Terri

  • Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ella

  • Fingersmith(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sue Trinder

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Vera Drake(2004)

    as Susan Wells

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Layer Cake(2004)

    as Slasher

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Young Visiters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Rosalind

  • Promoted to Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Lisa

  • Byron(2003)

    as Mary Shelley

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Byron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mary Shelley

  • Tipping the Velvet(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Zena Blake

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • All or Nothing(2002)

    as Samantha

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Doctors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah Carne

  • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace(1999)

    as Bystander (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Emma Lister

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Eloise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • How and Why (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Yvonne Hesselman

  • Pretend I'm Not Here (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Marie

  • The Semplica Girl Diaries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles, 57 of them dated from 1986 to 2025; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

Godzilla (2014)

$525M worldwide

Highest rated

Paddington 2 (2017)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19862025

Peak 2016 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 25 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 1 more milestone

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 61: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score82ndProducing1 of 61: 1 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s22 · 21 acting · 1 crew2020s11 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 26% of 38 roles
02121722

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Golden Globe and 1 other major award from 11 major nominations, 2008–2018.

WinNomination
  1. 2018
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Leading Actress
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actress
  2. 2014
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actress
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Female
  3. 2009
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  4. 2008
    • Berlinale award, won · Best Actress

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Sally Hawkins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 82nd percentile, the median of all 41; across their 37 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 80th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Approval · how many liked their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Reach · how many have seen their films

92ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 37

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up28
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Mammals (2022)

77th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Paddington 2 (2017)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 37 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 54. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Sally Hawkins' work okay for kids?

Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore19 titles27–86 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity26 titles9–64 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity22 titles5–75 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs18 titles17–59 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense19 titles23–70 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Sally Hawkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sally Hawkins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Georgina Lowe shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers