WCW: Vanessa Kirby – Frock Flicks

Vanessa Kirby may only be 36 years old, but she’s amassed quite the frock flick list. Probably best known for her portrayal as Princess Margaret in first two seasons of The Crown (2016-23), it turns out she has a growing list of costume films and shows that deserve some praise! So, let’s revisit some of her best period films!

Great Expectations (2011)

We haven’t really covered this adaptation of Dickens’ novel, and judging by the photos of the costumes are either really amazing (as seen here), or…

…. they look like they’re straight out of a bodice ripper. But I am going to watch it regardless.

Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth (2012)

Since we focused on the medieval (I’m using the term very loosely here) costumes in the show, I had pretty much forgotten that Kirby plays Alice Tanner, the 21st century archeologist who discovers a link between herself and the life of a woman who lived some 800 years before. I’m including this here because it technically is a frock flick, even if it is a bit wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey.

Poirot: “Elephants Can Remember,” Season 13, Episode 1 (2013)

Kirby plays Celia Ravenscroft, a young woman who is determined to discover the true fate of her parents’ mysterious deaths.

Queen & Country (2014)

Set ten years after the events in Hope & Glory (1987), the film picks up the life of Bill Rohan as a young man after he is drafted into the army in the 1950s. Vanessa Kirby plays his older sister, Dawn.

The Dresser (2015)

I’m pretty sure this film is set in the modern day, but it’s hard to tell from the photos as the clothes are pretty timeless. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes of a play flicks, and Kirby plays the ingénue who is trying to leverage her youth to get a better part. Even if it’s not technically a period film, what’s the worst outcome? You watch Vanessa Kirby being awesome in a film? Ooooo sucks to be you.

The Crown (2016-23)

Vanessa Kirby played Princess Margaret in the first 2 seasons of the acclaimed series.

THE REAL QUEEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015-17)

Trystan briefly covered The Frankenstein Chronicles, but skimmed over the fact that Kirby was in it. So now I’m thinking I need to sit down and actually watch the series!

Mr. Jones (2019)

Set in 1933, Kirby plays a British journalist under surveillance of the Soviet secret police, who becomes embroiled in a much larger plot against a Welsh journalist.

The World to Come (2020)

A bleak story about two women who fall in love in the cruel American frontier of the 1850s. I think I’m gonna pass, I don’t need more depressing same-sex period flicks. Gimme some joyful, fun same-sex flicks!

Napoleon (2023)

I don’t really care what everyone thought about the film. Vanessa Kirby was luminous as Joséphine.

What do you think of Vanessa Kirby’s frock flick roles? Tell us all about it in the comments!

More Frock Flicks

Tags: 1810s 1830s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s adapted from books Great Expectations (2011) inspired by a true story Labyrinth (2012) Napoleon (2023) playing fast & loose with history Poirot (1989-2013) The Crown (2016-23) The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015-17) Vanessa Kirby Victorian World War II

3 thoughts on “WCW: Vanessa Kirby”

M.E. Lawrence says:

May 1, 2024 at 8:48 pm

Fabulous as Princess Margaret, miscast as Josephine (but that was probably more Ridley Scott’s doing).

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Lily Lotus Rose says:

May 1, 2024 at 9:40 pm

Oh, dear. She is a very good actress. She was excellent as Princess Margaret. Labyrinth was horrendous. She had NO chemistry with Sebastian Stan (of Marvel fame) who played her love interest in the 21st century storyline. Mr. Jones is an incredibly slow and bleak film. I don’t recommend it.

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Louise says:

May 2, 2024 at 2:35 am

She had a small but memorable part in the fabulous first season of “The Hour”, therein managing the range from glam but jittery deb to red rock chick to desperate in a hotel bath tub. Been following most of her turns ever since.

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