Thompson, Emma (1959– )

English actor. She has worked in cinema, theatre, and television, ranging from song-and-dance to Shakespeare, often playing variations on the independent woman. She won an Academy Award for her performance in Howards End (1992) and another for her film adaptation (1995) of Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility, in which she also played the role of Elinor.

In 1989 Thompson married the actor and director Kenneth Branagh, and appeared in his films, including the role of Katharine in Henry V (1989), a dual role in Dead Again (1991), and as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (1993); the couple separated in 1995. She has also appeared in the film version of The Remains of the Day (1993), Alan Rickman's British film The Winter Guest (1997), and the US comedy Primary Colors (1998).