Keeley Hawes, the veteran English actress, is well known for her roles in projects like Scoop, Funeral, Misbehavior, and To Olivia.
The multifaceted actress started her career in the entertainment industry, appearing in a supporting role in the movie Our Mutual Friend.
But her fame skyrocketed when she landed a role in the proclaimed BBC series Spooks.
As of this writing, IMDb has credited Keeley for more than 84 projects.
But today, in this blog, we aren’t going to discuss all of her 84 projects.
Instead, we will discuss about 10 of her movies and TV series that cemented her as one of the most brilliant actresses in the entertainment industry.
Disclaimer!! The movies discussed in this list are a personal choice, and viewers’ choices might vary according to their tastes.
10. Scoop (2024)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Cast | Billie Piper, Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell |
| Director | Philip Martin |
| Genre | Biography, Drama |
| Awards | 0 |
“Scoop” is Keeley’s most recent film, released in 2024. The movie revolves around a mother who secures an interview with Prince Andrew.
The primary goal of this interview is to extract details about his relationship with Epstein.
However, Prince Andrew lies during the interview, and the aftermath of this deception forms the movie’s core plot.
Keeley plays Amanda Thirsk, Prince Andrew’s private secretary. Throughout the film, her character grapples with managing the numerous scandals surrounding the prince.
Despite having limited dialogue, Keeley’s powerful delivery left a lasting impression on the audience.
Critics worldwide praised her portrayal of this challenging role, highlighting her ability to convey depth and complexity with minimal lines.
9. To Olivia (2021)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Cast | Hugh Bonneville, Bobby O’Neill, Eve Prenelle |
| Director | John Hay |
| Genre | Biography, Drama |
| Awards | 0 |
Another recent movie featuring Keeley Hawes is “To Olivia.”
This film’s most impressive aspect is its compelling story, which centers on the marriage of author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal.
The couple, married for 30 years, endure significant hardships, including raising a brain-damaged son and losing their daughter Olivia at the age of seven.
Later in the movie, it is revealed that Patricia also suffered three burst cerebral aneurysms.
Hawes portrays Patricia Neal in the film. She delivers an outstanding performance, capturing her character’s emotional depth and resilience.
However, one critique of her portrayal is that her accent occasionally seemed inauthentic. Despite this minor flaw, her overall performance was widely praised.
8. It’s a Sin (2021)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Cast | Olly AlexanderNathaniel CurtisShaun Dooley |
| Director | Peter Hoar |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Awards | 19 |
Do you know the history of AIDS? If not, this series will provide you with a clear understanding.
The story begins with a group of five friends, through whose lives we see how people perceived AIDS in the 1980s.
At that time, there was a widespread misconception that AIDS only affected the LGBTQI+ community, leading to many preventable deaths.
This mini-series delves into that very narrative, blending moments of humor with heart-wrenching scenes that will surely bring your eyes to tears.
Hawes appears in all five episodes, portraying Richie’s mother. Critics highly praised her performance as an uptight woman.
Keeley was nominated for the Royal Television Society Award for her outstanding portrayal.
She also received nominations at the Gold Derby Awards and the Pena de Prata Awards in 2021.
7. Bodyguard (2018)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2018 |
| Cast | Richard Madden, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin |
| Director | Jed Mercurio |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Awards | 15 |
In 2018, Keeley Hawes appeared in three episodes of the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Bodyguard.”
The main story revolves around David Budd, a war veteran who becomes a Specialist Protection Officer with London’s Metropolitan Police.
He is assigned to protect the Home Secretary, Julia Montague, portrayed by Keeley Hawes. Despite David disliking Julia’s policies, their dynamic forms the essence of the series.
Keeley’s performance as the Home Secretary was so impactful that her departure from the show left a significant void.
Many fans believe that her exit forced the “Bodyguard” team to alter the storyline, and some viewers even stopped watching the show after she left.
Even six years after its release, fans vividly remember her powerful scenes, particularly those depicting her efforts to push a controversial counter-terrorism bill through Parliament.
Keeley’s outstanding performance earned her a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the 2019 BAFTA Awards.
6. Mrs. Wilson (2018)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2018 |
| Cast | Keeley Hawes, Ruth Wilson, Iain Glen, Fiona Shaw |
| Director | Richard Laxton |
| Genre | Biography, Drama, Mystery |
| Awards | 3 BAFTA Awards |
2018 must have been a great year for Keeley Hawes, as she delivered great performances throughout the year.
The 2018 drama series Mrs. Wilson revolves around Alison Wilson, who is happily living with her husband and two sons.
But one day, her husband dies, and after his demise, suddenly, a man claiming to be his son appears at the front door.
The three-episode series revolves around Alison’s investigation and the shocking truths that she discovers during the process.
In this short mini-series, Keeley Hawes portrays the role of Dorothy Wick, who supports Alison during the initial half of the series.
Her acting and dialogue delivery is absolutely top-notch in this movie.
At times, she even manages to steal the spotlight from the lead actress.
Due to her awesome role in this series, she was once again nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards 2019.
5. The Durrells (2016)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2016 |
| Cast | Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, Milo Parker |
| Director | Roger Goldby |
| Genre | Biography, Comedy, Drama |
| Awards | 4 |
The Durrels is one of those series you binge-watch whenever you are going through a tough time.
It focuses on the story of single mother Louisa Durrell, who still misses her late husband.
She tries her best to provide for her children but ultimately struggles financially.
Afterward, the family decides to move to the Greek Island of Corfu, and how they adapt to the new lifestyle makes up the basic plot of this series.
Keeley Hawes portrays the role of Louisa Durrell.
The veteran actress does a great job as the harassed, hopeful, scatty Louise.
Through her performance, she manages to leave a lasting impression in the viewer’s mind.
Throughout the series, she somehow manages to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
But when the series delves into the emotional route, the shuttle switch in her expression makes her performance even more memorable.
Furthermore, it was one of the series that contributed to her winning the Broadcasting Press Guild Best Actress Award in 2017.
4. The Missing (2016)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2016 |
| Cast | Tchéky Karyo, Anastasia Hille, James Nesbitt |
| Director | Tom Shankland, Ben Chanan, Michael Samuels, William McGregor |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery |
| Awards | 2 Primetime Emmy and 6 Other Awards |
Another series that helped her bag the Best Actress award was The Missing.
It really was one of those series that showcased the versatility she possessed as an actress.
Talking about her role in this series, she portrayed Gemma Webster.
Besides Keeley, the series also has a powerful story that focuses on the psychopath and their addictions.
It starts with a family of three going out for their holiday when their car suddenly breaks down.
Due to the sudden incident, they decide to stay in the small town nearby, and suddenly, their son goes missing.
What happens to him forms the basic plot of this movie.
Keeley Hawes only appeared during season 1 of this series.
3. Line Of Duty (2014)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2014 |
| Cast | Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar |
| Director | Jed Mercurio |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery |
| Awards | 19 |
“Line of Duty” begins with AC-12’s investigation into Officer of the Year, Tony Gates, who boasts the highest arrest rate in the department.
However, Gates is secretly helping his lover, Jackie, who launders money for a local gangster. This gripping storyline sets the stage for Season 1.
The series primarily revolves around police corruption, internal investigations, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Each tension-filled episode keeps the audience thoroughly engaged.
Keeley Hawes joined the cast in 2014, portraying DI Lindsay Denton, a Missing Persons Detective.
She was a main character in the series for two years until her character was killed off in Season 3.
2. Ashes To Ashes (2008)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2008 |
| Cast | Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes, Dean Andrews |
| Director | Matthew Graham, Ashley Pharoah |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Fantasy |
| Awards | 6 |
“Ashes to Ashes” is a sequel to the famous British series “Life on Mars.” This series centers around Alex Drake, a police officer in London.
In 2008, she is shot by a man named Arthur Layton. When she wakes up, she finds herself in 1981.
The uncertainty of whether Alex is dead or alive looms throughout the series, forming the basic plot.
And who plays the iconic Alex Drake? None other than the beloved Keeley Hawes.
In 2008, her portrayal of Alex Drake received critical acclaim, with critics and audiences alike praising her performance and seamless transformation into the character.
1. MI-5 (2002)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2002 |
| Cast | Peter Firth, Hugh Simon, Nicola Walker |
| Director | David Wolstencroft |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Awards | 1 BAFTA Award, 9 Other Awards |
One of the earliest series that brought Keeley Hawes into the spotlight was “MI-5,” better known as “Spooks.”
This series focuses on the activities of intelligence officers in Section D of MI-5, who operate in a highly secure environment called The Grid.
This series is a must-watch if you enjoy espionage, counter-terrorism, and covert operations.
In “Spooks,” Keeley Hawes portrays Zoe Reynolds, a case officer in MI-5’s counter-terrorism department.
Her performance on the show, which lasted until 2004, garnered critical acclaim and caught the attention of many worldwide. Fans were particularly impressed by her delivery and the depth she brought to her character.
Some Honorable Mentions Of Keeley Hawes’ Movies And TV Series
| S.N | Movie Or TV Series Name | Roles Played |
| 1 | Orphan Black: Echoes (2023) | Kira Manning |
| 2 | Year Of The Rabbit (2019) | Lydia |
| 3 | Neverland (2016) | Sarah |
| 4 | Dr. Who (2014) | Ms. Delphox |
| 5 | The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) | Dr Julia Ogden |
