Lia Williams

Lia Williams (born 26 November 1964) is an English actress and director, on stage, in film, and on television. She has had television roles in The Crown (playing Wallis Simpson), in May 33rd for which she was nominated for a BAFTA, and in The Missing (2016), Kiri (2016), His Dark Materials (2019–2022) and The Capture (2019–2026).

Williams is a three-time Laurence Olivier Award nominee, for her work in The Revengers' Comedies (1992), Skylight (1997), and Oresteia (2015).

Early life Williams was born in Birkenhead. She graduated from the London Studio Centre. Her first job in 1984 was understudying in the play Daisy Pulls It Off in the West End. She then took over a main role, and was talent-spotted by Alan Ayckbourn.

Career Theatre Williams's breakthrough performance came in 1991 when she appeared in The Revengers' Comedies,

In 1992, she played the role of Carol in the original production of David Mamet's Oleanna, at the Theatre Royal, Bath, transferring to the Royal Court Theatre in 1993.

In 1995, Williams appeared opposite Michael Gambon in David Hare's Skylight at the National Theatre.

Other leading theatre performances include Rosalind in As You Like It for the RSC, Winner chose her after seeing her in an Alan Ayckbourn play. Subsequent film appearances have included supporting roles in Firelight (1997),

In 2009, Williams directed Dog Alone,

On stage, she has also directed The Matchbox, Her son, Joshua James, is also an actor. In 2023, they worked together in The Vortex at Chichester Festival Theatre, in which they played mother and son. 1990

Angie Dell Stephen Joseph Theatre 1991–1992

Karen Strand Theatre 1992–1993

Carol Theatre Royal, Bath and Royal Court Theatre 1993

Goneril Royal Court Theatre 1995–1996

Kyra Hollis National Theatre and Royale Theatre 1999–2001

Suki / Mrs. Sands Almeida Theatre and Lincoln Center 2001

Ruth Gate Theatre and Comedy Theatre 2002

Anna National Theatre 2003

Alma Winemiller Gate Theatre 2005

Janice Larue The Attic Theatre 2005–2006

Rosalind Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Novello Theatre

Woman Royal Court Theatre

Miss Cutts National Theatre

Eva Jackson Garrick Theatre 2008

Ellida Wangel Arcola Theatre 2009

Véronique Vallon Theatre Royal, Bath 2010

Sarah National Theatre 2011

Hannah Jarvis Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Kate / Anna Harold Pinter Theatre

Blanche DuBois Gate Theatre 2014

Anne Theatre Royal, Bath 2015

Clytemnestra Almeida Theatre 2016

Queen Elizabeth I / Mary, Queen of Scots Duke of York's Theatre 2018

Jean Brodie Donmar Warehouse 2019

Hannah Jelkes Noël Coward Theatre 2022

Ella Rentheim Bridge Theatre 2023

Florence Lancaster Chichester Festival Theatre 2025

Lady Macbeth The Other Place Awards and nominations