British actresses on the rise

Karen Gillan in Oculus 4I was asked, very politely, by the PR person who sent this over to me if I could put it up. As it was very polite and nice of them to ask me, by name. I had to agree. It’s a bit of a puff piece, I know, to advertise the upcoming home entertainment release of Karen Gillan’s latest film, Oculus. More specifically the news that you can own it as a digital download two weeks before it comes out on a physical copy.

It is a list so I was a little worried as, if you are a long time reader of the blog, you will know my feelings about this sort of thing. This one, on the other hand, is quite nice. Bringing a set of British actresses that we think are going from strength to strength. Expect to see a lot more of these people over the next couple of years.

Karen Gillan is having a spectacular year; having starred in two of 2014’s best films and now leading the way to the big screen for an ever-increasing batch of talented, young female actors from the UK. Oculus, the first of these films will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in time for Halloween on October 20, but fans will be able to own Oculus two weeks early on digital download from October 6!

To celebrate the release, we take a look at the most exciting British actresses heading to Hollywood!

Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams

Despite being just one of HBO smash hit series Game Of Thrones’ extensive British cast, Williams’ has stood out as the ‘one to watch’ playing young runaway Arya Stark. After such mainstream success so early in her career, she has decided to sign up to upcoming indie films We Are Monster and The Falling.

Imogen Poots

Imogen Poots

Appearing in the seemingly British actors’ rite of passage Casualty ten years ago, Poots has racked up a strong film career in supporting parts. More recent movies have seen her move into leading roles, with 2015 looking to be her year with highly-anticipated films including Knight Of Cups and The Blunderer on the horizon.

Daisy Ridley

Daisy-Ridley

Although not a household name at the start of the year, Ridley was one of the first to be cast in Star Wars: Episode VII leading fans around the world to wonder who was playing one of the major parts of the upcoming saga. After appearing in several acclaimed British TV series, it looks like her career will be heading to a galaxy far, far away.

Lily James

Lily James

Known to audiences as Downton Abbey’s fun-loving Lady Rose, James seems to feel at home in costume dramas, yet appears to be having fun with the genre too. In 2015 alone she is set to play the title role in the live-action Disney reimagining of Cinderella, as well as the iconic literary heroine Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn

Critically-acclaimed on TV, film and stage, Dormer is one of the most exciting actresses around currently. Another breakout Game Of Thrones star, Dormer is currently landing some of the highest profile roles in Hollywood including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay films and The Riot Club.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan in Oculus 5

Scottish-born Gillan rose to prominence playing popular Doctor Who companion Amy Pond alongside Matt Smith before her immense talent was noticed in Hollywood. She soon was able to choose from an eclectic range of roles, including villain Nebula in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy and horror heroine Kaylie, determined to prove that something supernatural was responsible for her parents’ deaths, in the incredibly creepy Oculus.

Oculus tells the truly chilling story of siblings Kaylie and Tim, who set out to prove that their parents’ deaths were caused by a dark force from within an antique mirror.

Oculus is available to download from October 6 and on DVD and Blu-ray from October 20, 2014