She hasn’t been in that many historical costume movies or TV series, but Natalie Dormer has made her mark already, plus she has more frock flicks on the horizon. Dormer is adventurous in the roles she takes — she doesn’t shy away from complicated characters, women who have been misunderstood by history. Her non-historical roles are just as interesting, mixing glamour with treachery in Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games, and Elementary. She’s one to watch!
Victoria in Casanova (2005)
Not the best movie, but it’s a start!
Anne Boleyn in The Tudors (2007-2008, 2010)
We’ve ranted endlessly about the costumes and the series playing fast & loose with history. But despite this, Natalie Dormer delivered a sharp performance as Anne, and behind-the-scenes reports show how she fought for more nuance in her role.
She had a tough row to hoe in this series, and she tried.
Until the bitter end.
Elizabeth in W.E. (2011)
Looking good in ’30s and portraying a rather disdainful soon-to-be queen.
Seymour Worsley in The Scandalous Lady W (2015)
Not as scandalous as the title implies, but a well-acted, gorgeously costumed TV movie showcasing what Dormer does best.
Playing historical women in difficult situations.
With both tender moments and tough.
Eliza Merrett in The Professor and the Madman (2017)
This is still in post-production, so all I could find is this behind-the-scenes photo. Much of the story takes place in a Victorian asylum, which should explain her bedraggled costume.
Mrs. Appleyard in Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018)
In this remake of the 1975 mystery film, Natalie Dormer plays the governess. The TV miniseries is coming to Amazon.
What’s your favorite historical costume movie or TV role of Natalie Dormer’s?
I enjoy watching her.
I look forward to seeing Picnic at Hanging Rock, if only for the gorgeous costumes!
I am torn about Hanging Rock since the movie was perfect and usually a remake is a total mess.
I’ve never seen the original, nor know much about the plot.
She looked great as an Army WAC in “Captain America: The First Avenger”. However, the role wasn’t much for her to chew on.
She is one of my favorites to watch. Hope she continues to do more frock flicks!
Loved her in The Fades. I think that she is a great actress.
My spouse actually got really into The Tudors for a while because of Natalie Dormer’s performance and he gave it up again when it was time for her to leave.
She was my sole reason for watching the Tudors and my favourite Anne. After she was offed, I stopped watching.
I enjoy watching her. Intelligent as well as beautiful, her performances are nuanced. She’s done her research as well.
But my favourite role was her Anne Boleyn.
I adore her. Completely. I will watch anything she is in, no question asked.
Love her, a talented and charming woman, and she confessed to be a History nerd! Her Anne Boleyn (I say HER bc she fought very hard to make Anne a complex woman, not a cardboard villain or a sex kitten, and she did it so well in Season 2 of “The Tudors”) is on the Top of my Top 5 (the others being Génevieve Bujold, Dorothy Tuttin, Helena Bonham Carter and CLaire Cooper) of fictional Annes
I agree with Lin, above. I only watched the Game of Thrones episodes that Natalie was in (otherwise not a GoT fan). I saw her in the play Venus in Fur, in November in London. She owned the role of Vanda. And was nominated for a What’s On Stage award for best actress in a play. She is simply fabulous.
She has such a luminous look! I know “Cassanova” wasn’t perfect, but she was great in her role- & I kind of wish she could have the opportunity to have a similar role, just to see her swordfight again – she looked like she was having fun! Someone QUICK- pitch that idea!
She’s one of my favorites, and a very unconventional beauty – that crooked mouth of hers has become her trademark, and an incredibly sexy one too.