Emily Browning

Early life and education

Emily Jane Browning was born in Melbourne, Victoria, the daughter of Andrew and Shelley Browning. She has two younger brothers.

She attended Hurstbridge Learning Co-op and Eltham High School.

Career

1998–2007

Browning's debut acting role was in the 1998 Hallmark Channel movie The Echo of Thunder. Additional roles in Australian film and television productions soon followed, including recurring roles in the television series Blue Heelers from 2000 to 2002, and Something in the Air from 2000 to 2001. In 2001, Browning appeared as the daughter of the character played by Billy Connolly in The Man Who Sued God.

She made her American film debut in 2002's Ghost Ship, and won an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Young Actress, the same year. In 2003, she appeared opposite Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom in 2003's Ned Kelly, and reunited with Connolly the following year in the film adaptation of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, in which she played Violet Baudelaire.

In 2006, Browning appeared in the music video for Evermore's "Light Surrounding You". In the behind-the-scenes video for the clip, the band stated, "[We] suck as actors, so we decided to get Emily". She attended the L'Oreal Fashion Festival as a festival ambassador on 1 February 2007.

2008–2011

Browning played the lead role in the 2009 horror film The Uninvited, an American remake of the 2003 South Korean film A Tale of Two Sisters. She turned down a request to audition for the role of Bella Swan in Twilight, citing exhaustion, despite an endorsement from series author Stephenie Meyer. In 2009, she was cast as Babydoll in Zack Snyder's action film Sucker Punch, as a replacement for Amanda Seyfried, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Filming took place in Vancouver from September 2009 to January 2010, and the film was released on 25 March 2011. In an interview at Comic-Con, she confirmed that she would be singing in the film, while claiming that her audition tape brought tears to her casting agent's eyes and the song she selected ("Killing Me Softly") was one of Zack Snyder's wife Deborah's favourites, which Browning referred to as the "selling point" on her being cast in the role.

In February 2010, it was announced that Browning would play the lead role in the independent Australian film Sleeping Beauty, directed by Julia Leigh. She replaced Mia Wasikowska, who was committed to a film adaptation of Jane Eyre at the time. The film screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival. In a review from the festival, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called the film "Technically elegant with vehemence and control ... Emily Browning gives a fierce and powerful performance ... There is force and originality in Leigh's work". Fionnuala Halligan in Screen International wrote "Browning has gone the distance for her director and together, they have delivered something here that sometimes catches your breath". At the festival Browning said, "Even reading the screenplay, it made me feel uncomfortable. But that was something that attracted me to it. I would prefer to polarise an audience as opposed to making an entertaining film everybody feels ambivalent about."

2012–2020

In 2012, she replaced English actress Ophelia Lovibond as female lead Florence Carter-Wood in the film Summer in February. The film is based on the book of the same title, by Jonathan Smith. In July 2012, Browning was cast in God Help the Girl, a musical film by Belle and Sebastian front-man Stuart Murdoch. Browning played Eve, and the role required live singing. Filming on the production began on 8 July 2012 and wrapped on 12 August 2012.

Browning was cast in Catherine Hardwicke's Plush alongside Cam Gigandet, replacing Evan Rachel Wood (who was originally attached to the project) due to scheduling conflicts. Browning also starred alongside Xavier Samuel whom she met on the set during filming. Magic Magic, directed by Sebastián Silva, screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Film.com designated the film as a "Top Pick".

Browning starred in Paul W. S. Anderson's 2014 epic romantic historical disaster film Pompeii. The project was filmed in Toronto and the city of Pompeii. The film received generally mixed to negative reviews, although Browning's performance was generally assessed more favorably. Browning took a break from filming on Pompeii, and returned home to Australia to film a music video for the song "No Matter What You Say" by the band Imperial Teen. The video follows Browning as the lead character, conducting a 'live art-piece'.

In 2014, Browning filmed Shangri-La Suite. The story follows two young lovers who break out of a mental hospital in 1974 and set out on a road trip to Los Angeles to fulfill the boy's lifelong dream of killing his idol Elvis Presley, who appears as a supporting character. Luke Grimes and Avan Jogia co-star. The same year, she appeared in Years & Years's "Take Shelter" music video.

In 2015, Browning appeared in the biopic crime thriller Legend, alongside Tom Hardy, who portrayed twin brothers and infamous 1960s London gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray. She portrayed Frances Shea, the first wife of Reggie Kray.

Browning was cast in American Gods (2017-2021) as Laura Moon. Neil Gaiman, author of the novel, said, "I've been fascinated by Emily Browning since A Series of Unfortunate Events. She has a challenge ahead of her: Laura is a tricky character, and the Laura on the screen is even trickier and more dangerous than the one on the page. She's going to have a wonderful time bringing Laura to life".

2021–present

In June 2021, it was announced that Browning would replace Anna Paquin in Andrea Pallaoro's drama Monica, joining Trace Lysette, Patricia Clarkson and Adriana Barraza. She is also set to star in Lance Edmands' thriller Brightwater, starring alongside Scoot McNairy and Jack Reynor.

She stars in The Fox, the debut feature film directed by Australian filmmaker Dario Russo, which premieres at the 2025 Adelaide Film Festival in October. It also stars Jai Courtney, Damon Herriman, and the voices of Sam Neill and Olivia Colman.

Personal life

From 2012 to 2015, Browning was in a relationship with Plush co-star Xavier Samuel.

She married Eddie O'Keefe in April 2023.

When Browning was 21 years old, she moved to London, but then moved to Los Angeles when London became "too expensive to live". She initially disliked Los Angeles but then settled down on the Eastside and was residing there in 2023. She also has spoken on her depression and stated she has been doing therapy ever since being diagnosed.

Browning noted that she is spiritual but not religious: "I like the idea there is something innately magical about human connection. But I don't know, I'm okay with not knowing, and I get pissed off by anyone who claims to know for sure. A dogmatic atheist is just as annoying as a Bible-thumping crazy person."

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Video games

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. . (). ["Emily Browning"](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/emily-browning/bio/3000205896/). *[[TV Guide]]*.
2. Benedictus, Luke. (19 December 2004). "See Emily play ... while you can". [[The Age]].
3. "Emily Browning 2014 02 05 (11:03am) The Man Who Sued God 2001 By R.R.S Sweden".
4. . (). ["AACTA Winners & Nominees 2000–2010: 2002"](https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/range/2000-2010/year/2002/). *[[Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts]]*.
5. Fischer, Paul. (13 December 2004). "Interview: Emily Browning for "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events"".
6. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJoYoCxlXDo Making of Light Surrounding You]. YouTube. Retrieved on 16 May 2007
7. link. (30 September 2007)
8. [http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/movie_archives.html Twilight the Movie (archives)] {{Webarchive. link. (26 October 2009 . ''StephenieMeyer.com'')
9. Larry Carroll: [https://archive.today/20120904223425/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1610299/story.jhtml Emily Browning addresses her Twilight notoriety]. [[MTV. Mtv.com]], retrieved 4 April 2011
10. [http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/emily-browning-tipped-for-starring-role-in-prison-flick/story-e6fredqc-1225693356289 Emily Browning tipped for starring role in prison flick]. ''Adelaidenow.com.au'', retrieved 15 August 2010
11. Carl DiOrio: [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie79635783d4581279d4e62cadbe23522 ''Green Lantern'', ''Sucker Punch'' going 3D]. ''[[Associated Press]]'', 14 October 2010, retrieved on ''Hollywoodreporter.com'' on 4 April 2011
12. Steve Barton: [https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36259/zack-snyder-deliver-his-sucker-punch-3d Zack Snyder to Deliver His Sucker Punch in 3D]. ''Dreadcentral.com'', 5 March 2010, retrieved 4 April 2011
13. link. (22 October 2013 . ''Comingsoon.net'', retrieved on 15 August 2010)
14. Michael Bodey: [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/whos-who-in-tim-wintons-cloudstreet/story-e6frg8n6-1225826089128 Who's who in Tim Winton's Cloudstreet]. [[The Australian]], 3 February 2010, retrieved 4 April 2011
15. Bodey, Michael. (3 February 2010). "Who's who in Tim Winton's Cloudstreet". [[The Australian]].
16. Billington, Alex. (9 February 2010). "Emily Browning Replaces Mia Wasikowska in ''Sleeping Beauty''". FirstShowing.net.
17. Bradshaw, Peter. (12 May 2011). "Cannes 2011 review: ''Sleeping Beauty''". [[The Guardian]].
18. Halligan, Fionnuala. (12 May 2011). "''Sleeping Beauty''". [[Screen Daily]].
19. Roach, Vicky. (22 June 2011). "Emily Browning on being naked in erotic thriller ''Sleeping Beauty'' and going nude again". Daily Telegraph.
20. (13 January 2012). "Emily Browning Will Spend 'Summer In February' Instead Of Ophelia Lovibond". IndieWire.
21. (13 January 2012). "Downton Abbey lead Dan Stevens and My Week With Marilyn's Dominic Cooper are to co-star in a new film set in a Cornish artist's colony circa 1913". Vintage Seekers.
22. "Hannah is currently filming the lead in GOD HELP THE GIRL with Emily Browning". TroikaTalent.
23. Jagernauth, Kevin. (9 July 2012). "Hannah Murray Replaces Elle Fanning In 'God Help The Girl'; Emily Browning Joins The Film". IndieWire.
24. "It's all go at the 'god help the girl' production office – we start shooting July 8th. Exciting!". Twitter.
25. Eisenberg, Eric. (18 June 2012). "Cam Gigandet Joins Emily Browning In Catherine Hardwicke's Plush". Cinema Blend.
26. Blay, Zeba. (27 May 2012). "Emily Browning to star in Catherine Hardwicke's 'Plush'". Digital Spy.
27. (7 August 2012). "Xavier Samuel joins Hardwicke's 'Plush'". Variety.
28. Meyncke, Amanda Mae. (7 August 2013). "Review: 'Magic, Magic'". Film.com.
29. DeMara, Bruce. (19 February 2013). "Paul W.S. Anderson to shoot Pompeii in Toronto". The Star.
30. (February 21, 2014). "Movie Review: Pompeii". Vulture.
31. (2013). "Imperial Teen - Music Video - Victoria - Supporting actors required for Sunday 24th March".
32. Trunick, Austin. (4 September 2014). "Scotland Week: God Help the Girl's Emily Browning". [[Under the Radar (magazine).
33. "'Sucker Punch' Star Emily Browning Joins Luke Grimes in 'The Shangri-La Suite' (Exclusive)".
34. (5 August 2014). "Years & Years' music video for "Take Shelter", featuring Emily Browning!".
35. "Emily Browning: Legend star on her new role". irishtimes.com.
36. (17 March 2016). "Starz's 'American Gods' Casts Its Laura Moon". The Hollywood Reporter.
37. (19 June 2021). "Emily Browning Replaces Anna Paquin In Drama 'Monica' With Trace Lysette, Patricia Clarkson & Adriana Barraza; Filming Underway In Ohio".
38. (6 May 2022). "Scoot McNairy, Jack Reynor & Emily Browning Lead Thriller 'Brightwater' With James Schamus Exec Producer & Bankside Launching Sales".
39. Marsh, Walter. (10 September 2025). "‘It is a ripper’: Adelaide Film Festival adds frontier history and a talking fox in 2025 reveal".
40. Osenlund, R. Kurt. (10 October 2013). "Catherine Hardwicke On Her Kinky, Twisted Thriller 'Plush' and Why She Considers 'Twilight' an Indie".
41. Khera, Japleen. (10 January 2021). "Is Emily Browning Dating or Married? Who is Emily Browning's Boyfriend?".
42. (2023-04-08). "I got married.".
43. (2023-07-16). "Wedding Dump #1".
44. Clark, Lucie. (2 April 2019). "Australian actress Emily Browning on nerves, social media and that Twilight audition".
45. (26 March 2023). "Emily Browning talks depression, body image, and career in her first podcast interview".
46. (2023-03-20). "Emily Browning on Depression, Body Empowerment, and the Apocalypse".
47. Browning, Emily. (2019-02-23). "Dicey Topics: Emily Browning talks religion, politics and bodies".
48. Wilkinson, Amy. (April 1, 2013). "Let's Talk About That 'The Host' Cameo". MTV News.
49. (11 January 2025). "One More Shot: Stan's Australian time-travel romcom finishes shooting".
50. (23 September 2025). "The Fox".
51. Lloyd-McDonald, Holly. (1 February 2007). "Facing up to new role in fashion". Herald Sun.
52. (27 October 2011). "Hamptons International Film Festival Winners". danspapers.com.