Enough, Enough Now. 13 British Actresses More Deserving Of Fame Than Keira Knightley

Enough, Enough Now. 13 British Actresses Who Deserve Fame More Than Keira Knightley Does

By Joanna Robinson | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (88)

Just about ten years ago now (2002 to be precise), Keira Knightley and her class 3 jaw were thrust upon us in Bend It Like Beckham. What followed has been a juggernaut of a career. I keep expecting her to burn out or fade away and yet, year after year, awards season after awards season, she shows up. Listen, despite her orthodontia issues, she’s undeniably beautiful. She is also, truth be told, not even remotely the worst actress out there. But you know what else she is? Un-f*cking-spectacular. Not worth the muss, the fuss and certainly not my choice to play the lead in seemingly every literary adaptation to come down the pike. Seriously, this is the best we can do for Elizabeth Bennett, Cecilia Tallis, Lara Antipova and Anna Bloody Karenina? Enough. I’ve had enough. Please, Hollywood, for the love all things bright and beautiful, stop.

Well, help is on the horizon. We’ve already got one bonafide British “It Girl” in the ubiquitous Carey Mulligan. She mercifully beat out Knightley for the role of Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby adaptation and can be seen this year getting thoroughly Gosling’d and Fassbendered in Drive and Shame. Similarly, the young British actress Felicity Jones has caused quite a stir with her Sundance hit Like Crazy (opening this weekend). Jones won the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Acting (an award they don’t always give out…hence the special) and the buzz around her is similar to the one that has been clinging to Ms. Mulligan since An Education premiered. So in addition to those twin beacons of talent, I bring you this list of promising British actresses (established and up and coming) who I would like to see replace Keira. I mean it, casting agents, call every single woman on this list before you call that Knightley woman again.

Hayley Atwell: Perhaps best-known for this year’s Captain America, Atwell has paid her dues in British costume dramas and mini-series. She’s played iconic literary figures (Julia Flyte, Brideshead Revisited) and, in fact, stole the show from Keira in 2008’s The Duchess as Ralph Fiennes vivacious mistress, Bess Foster. Atwell will next appear as a femme fatale opposite Gabrielle Byrne in the noir-ish I, Anna.

Emma Watson: Okay, listen, truth be told, I’m not sold on Emma Watson. Miss Acts With Her Eyebrows Granger here may be the hottest commodity that side of the pond, but I’ve yet to see anything truly extraordinary from her. Well, I’ve yet to see anything other than Hermione Granger from her. That being said, I’m keeping an open mind and will be looking closely at her performances in My Week With Marilyn and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.

Claire Foy: I’m not certain exactly what’s going on with Claire Foy’s career. She was phenomenal in 2008’s “Little Dorrit” and has been sort of loitering in British TV-land ever since. Barring, of course, Season of the Witch. But that doesn’t really count, does it? She’s fantastic, keep an eye out for her.

Romola Garai: Garai has been around just as long as Keira. She’s been both a mainstay of BBC mini-series (“Daniel Deronda,” “Emma”) and the star of an unfortunate 80’s remake before unfortunate 80’s remakes were cool (Dirty Dancing Havana Nights). I never really loved Garai as much as she seemed to love herself, but I enjoyed her immensely in this year’s “The Hour” and think she’s maturing into her talent.

Kelly MacDonald: Kelly has, of course, been around even longer than Keira and Romola. Busting onto the scene in 1996’s Trainspotting she flew relatively under the radar until 2001’s Gosford Park. She has since been killing it on both TV (“State Of Play”) and film (No Country For Old Men). I’ve heard great things about her work on “Boardwalk Empire” and look forward to her stealing Knightley’s thunder in Anna Karenina.

Carey Mulligan: Aforementioned “It Girl,” Daisy Buchannan, and Sally Sparrow. The sexiest thing I’ve seen all year? Mulligan and Gosling smiling shyly at each other in Drive. See it. You won’t be sorry.

Karen Gillan: I really couldn’t make this list without our Amelia Pond, but I can’t compliment her on much other than her looks. We’ll have to see how she does post-“Doctor Who.”

Michelle Ryan: I love Ryan and I can’t quite explain why. Best known over here for the failed “Bionic Woman” series, I can only hope her film Cockneys vs. Zombies is half as good as its title.

Keeley Hawes: Hawes is who I wish Keira had grown up to be. Grounded, and serene and in possession of a sizable amount of gravitas. She’s also married to Mr. Darcy. (No, not the best one, the other one.) I’m not certain why Hawes hasn’t broken out into film yet, Death At A Funeral being her only movie of note. Ah, well, I’ll have to content myself with reruns of “Spooks” and “Ashes To Ashes.”

Felicity Jones: Aforementioned proto-It Girl. Jones first caught my eye in a BBC adaptation of “Northanger Abbey.” Although it’s one of Jane Austen’s weaker books, Jones’s fresh-faced vivacity was infectious enough that I didn’t mind. She also stood out as a young rival to Michelle Pfeiffer in Chéri. I’m fully on board with this buzz.
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Emily Blunt: One of the more likable and engaging actresses working today. I honestly believe she can do anything. I’m as excited about her upcoming romantic comedy with Jason Segel (The Five Year Engagement) as I am about the futuristic thriller with JGL (Looper).

Gemma Arterton: She made a lovely Tess of the D’urbervilles, a delicious Bond Girl and then decided to appear in any script that passed her desk. But now that she’s got the Prince of Persias and Clash of The Titans out of her system, I look forward to her future films. Yes even that very odd Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters project.

Rebecca Hall: I rather like that Hall’s hair is always messy. I thought she was lovely in The Town, heartbreaking in The Prestige and cute as hell in Starter for Ten. Call her, Hollywood. Call her early and call her often.

So, do me a favor Keira, listen to Sheriff Rick Grimes. He speaks the truth.

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Comments

Mia Wasikowska is an Australian, ya dork!

("Dork" gives me the warm fuzzies. Corrected!--JR)

Posted by: Tom at October 26, 2011 4:13 AM

Good list, but Mia is Australian.

Posted by: Caillan at October 26, 2011 4:16 AM

I'll take Rebecca Hall over Carey Mulligan anyday. Seriously Sally Sparrow, Shia no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no Labeouf?

Posted by: sailboat at October 26, 2011 4:24 AM

No love for Ruth Wilson?

Posted by: Irina at October 26, 2011 4:30 AM

Carey Mulligan? Are you serious?

She acts like she is constantly smelling a fart. God damn she is an awful actress.

She and Michelle Williams need to go to whiny actress island and not come back.

Posted by: maka at October 26, 2011 4:34 AM

How is Hayley Atwell not Claire Danes?
How is Gemma Arterton not Penelope Cruz or (dog forbid) Jennifer Garner?

For the record, I don't care for Penelope Cruz under any circumstances (no, not even in Almodovar films, which I adore), and both Claire Danes and Jennifer Garner bore me into mini-comas on near-regular bases.

Posted by: Jerry at October 26, 2011 5:21 AM

Yes! Good list – although, isn’t Gemma Arterton terrible? I’m pretty sure she’s terrible – but I’d also add Ruth Wilson, Anne-Marie Duff, Archie Panjabi, Ruth Negga and Naomie Harris.

Posted by: Caspar at October 26, 2011 6:10 AM

THANK YOU, JoRob, for SPECIFICALLY mentioning Keira's horrible teeth. Her laugh frightens me because it exposes those vicious chompers. I've been saying so for years.

Posted by: Jelinas at October 26, 2011 6:24 AM

This list reads like Ari's personal submission for the Pajiba ten

1. Rebecca Hall
2. Gemma Arterton
3. Emily Blunt
4. Karen Gillian
5. Keira Knightley (shut up - she's bangin' hot)

BUNK!

Posted by: Ari at October 26, 2011 7:16 AM

i like to submit Shelley Conn before Keira Knightly gets cast as the love child of a British soldier and a Sri Lankan freedom fighter during the British invasion.

Posted by: haplo at October 26, 2011 7:36 AM

Hayley Atwell:- She has tits but apart from this? Nah. And she didn't really impress me in The Duchess

Emma Watson- She is pretty especially when she has long hair but apart from this again nothing really impressive

Karen Gillan- She is pretty but honestly the only thing she can do is..well basically the naughty sexy girl. Everything else? She kinda fails. And she didn't really impress me on Doctor Who either. Pretty much the only thing she had going for her over there is her looks and the much much more talented(who beats new Doctor any day of the week as well) Rory

Michelle Ryan- Again kinda fail

Gemma Arterton- Seriously?

Emily Blunt- Now this is not bad

Honestly your list didn't impress me. At best you got a couple of girl who are at Keira Knightley's level but that's pretty much it

Posted by: YesPlease at October 26, 2011 8:00 AM

And let's not forget Parminder Nagra as well. Looks like she's involved in the JJ Abrams Alcatraz, but she was slumming it on ER for quite a while.

And no love for Emily Mortimer?

(Also, I still like Knightley a lot and don't begrudge her her success.)

Posted by: Joseph Finn at October 26, 2011 8:44 AM

Love Kelly MacDonald. She was excellent in "Choke," which, fyi Community fans, also includes Gillian Jacobs as a topless dancer.

I don't understand your love for Michelle Ryan either. She's pretty but not so good at the acting.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 26, 2011 9:00 AM

Do you find that this approach usually works? Or let me guess: You’ve never tried it before; in fact, you don’t normally approach girls. Am I right? The truth is that you’re a quiet, sensitive type, but if I’m prepared to take a chance I might just get to know the inner you: witty, adventurous, passionate, loving, loyal – taxi! – a little bit crazy, a little bit bad? But, hey, don’t us girls just love that? Well? What’s wrong boy? Cat got your tongue?

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 9:15 AM

Is that REALLY Romola Garai? It doesn't look a thing like her.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at October 26, 2011 9:18 AM

Like I said in an earlier post, Keira Knightley gets a life-long pass from me after Last Night. That movie killed me. And she gave an incredible performance. She can be the most famous of all the British ladies, as far as I’m concerned.

Posted by: Scully at October 26, 2011 9:19 AM

I would like to bring Ruth Wilson to the table. She was absolutely brilliant in Luther and everything else I've had the pleasure of seeing her in.

*Disclaimer: strong redhead bias..

Posted by: morgaen at October 26, 2011 9:30 AM

If we know who they all are, I think their careers must be doing okay. Time will separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were.

I think Emily Blunt, Carey Mulligan and Kelly MacDonald all have "It", just as Knightley does. Claire Foy is amazing, but she is so tiny and looks so young that she probably just needs time to de-waif.

//barricades self in cubicle, curses low walls//

I really enjoyed Knightley's Elizabeth. I wasn't thrilled with many aspects of the production, but I thought she did a great job. I also really liked Macfadyen's Darcy. He might not have been a purist's Darcy, but it worked in the version he was in (and he spoke which is always a good thing). There were problems with the movie, but the two leads were not the issue.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 9:41 AM

I love all the qualifications Mrs. Julien has in her post because she knows I'm just sitting here waiting to jump in.

I'm resigned to the fact that Keira Knightley is the new Helena Bonham Carter and will get every role that calls for gowns and bonnets for the next 10 years. Neither of them is a bad actor but neither of them is especially great either, very average.

Knightley was fine as Lizzie given the inadequacies of her Darcy.

What I don't get is why almost everybody on this site re-enacts the French Revolution every time somebody's weight is mentioned, but they piss all over somebody who doesn't have perfect teeth. Someone please explain.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 10:24 AM

I'd add pretty much every actress from Downton Abbey to this list.

Posted by: Mags at October 26, 2011 10:25 AM

Nope. You know what? I love Keira. Love her. She's unusual and likable and I want her to be in everything involving floofy period dresses. I love her.

And Carey Mulligan bugs the crap out of me. She's so incredibly boring to watch. The others are just almost all forgettable, except for Romola Garai, who is fantastic.

Sorry, I'm grumpy. Lack of coffee, blah, blah. Go Keira!

Posted by: figgy at October 26, 2011 10:25 AM

I can’t compliment [Karen Gillan] on much other than her looks.

Neither can I.

Posted by: Todd at October 26, 2011 10:34 AM

Emily Blunt and Rebecca Hall are clearly the standouts here, in terms of talent, but they're already getting a LOT of very good work and don't need Keira's roles.

And I second adding Emily Mortimer to this list. I think she's got less range than Mortimer and Hall -- or maybe she just hasn't been allowed to show it -- but she's pretty great nonetheless.

Posted by: jimbob at October 26, 2011 10:46 AM

What about Emily Mortimer?

Posted by: John W at October 26, 2011 10:50 AM

You forgot to mention how phenomenal Michelle Ryan was in Jeckyl.

Posted by: Adam C. at October 26, 2011 10:51 AM

PaddyDog just gets me.

I LOVED Love Actually!

//flees//

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 10:57 AM

The thing that bugs me the most about Kiera Knightley is her terminal inability to close her mouth. She's a mouth breather, just like Jessica Simpson. I can't get behind that. It just makes me want to punch her every time she's on screen, in the hopes that maybe due to the lip swelling, her goddamn mouth will finally CLOSE.

(I also find her way too skeletal to be pretty, not that that alone would make or break my opinion of her - it really is ALL the mouth breathing that does that. It's not like 90% of female Hollywood isn't too skinny for their frames at this point, but there are skeletal people like Angelina Jolie that I still find somehow miraculously attractive even when they look like meth addicts - I think it's the face, you just can't fuck up that face no matter how you try - and skeletal people like Keira Knightley that I just find skeletal, period.)

Posted by: Nat Kittyface at October 26, 2011 10:59 AM

Really? "Downton Abbey"? I love that show unabashedly but I find all the young women on there to be, ah, not so good at the acting. Except for the woman playing Anna. But the only REAL actor on that show is Maggie Smith, and she's a smidge old for Keira's parts.

Scathing, bitchy, etc.

Posted by: coveredinbees at October 26, 2011 11:20 AM

Definitely missed the boat on Sally Hawkins. She's an extraordinary actress.

Michelle Ryan was on Eastenders. Come on.

I also believe that Romola Garai is Irish? I could be wrong. She was in an Irish flick with a blonde and paralyzed James McAvoy called Inside I'm Dancing. Terrible title but decent flick; it was called something else abroad...

I second the nomination of Anne Marie Duff, although she's done so little outside of the UK. Besides being the very lucky Mrs. James McAvoy, she's hella talented. See if you can find the original Shameless series, seasons 1 and 2, and also The Virgin Queen - excellent!

Claire Foy AND Keeley Dawes are both in the remake/sequel of Upstairs/Downstairs, which is available on Amazon VOD. I rather enjoyed it and was sad that it was only 3 episodes long, but I hear there are more eps in the works!

Posted by: amanda at October 26, 2011 11:25 AM

Sidenote for Terry Pratchett fans: The only decent adaptation so far, Going Postal, stars Claire Foy as the ironically named Adorabelle Dearheart. She rocks that role. For real.

Posted by: amanda at October 26, 2011 11:27 AM

"Scathing, bitchy, etc. "

Yeah, I get that part but why is it okay to be bitchy about people with bad teeth and not about fat people? Is there an Official Pajiba Unattractive Features Caste System that I'm unaware of that places orthodontic awareness on a lower level than hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition for weight gain or inability to lay off the snacks?

I'm just curious?

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 11:32 AM

I think Saoirse Ronan shows great promise. Maybe too young for this list, though.

Posted by: TheOtherGreg at October 26, 2011 11:37 AM

If you don't attend the meetings, you can't expect us to save the handouts for you. It's why you weren't aware of the whole lion lip thing.

The rules are -

Not a Stick = too fat and/or potentially saggy
A Stick = too boney
Perfect Body = bad teeth
Physical Perfection = must be stupid

I'm with LindsEy from yesterday. We need a "Hendricks Law" which serves as an umbrella term for censure of celebrities' failure to achieve physical perfection and the time it takes before "that guy" inevitably feels the need to point it out.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 11:43 AM

"What I don't get is why almost everybody on this site re-enacts the French Revolution every time somebody's weight is mentioned, but they piss all over somebody who doesn't have perfect teeth. Someone please explain."

HOW DARE YOU CALL CHRISTINA HENDRICKS FAT?!??

Posted by: Craig at October 26, 2011 11:46 AM

I agree with most of this list but would definitely swap out Michelle Ryan for the wonderful Andrea Riseborough, and swap Karen Gillam for Ruth Wilson. both Riseborough and Wilson are incredibly compelling both on stage and on screen. Wilson in particular is the sort of actress I would want to be, if I could, you know, act.

Posted by: sooze at October 26, 2011 11:47 AM

In addition to her age Saoirse Ronan is Irish and American so she doesn't qualify for a list of British actors.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 11:50 AM

Mrs. Julien:

I know all your hiding places. There is nowhere to flee to. You think I'm going to by-pass the "Celebrities are Better Than Us" thread because I think you are above all that? I know your little games. I shall find you no matter where you secrete yourself. I shall comb through each thread, even the ones with the vilest possible language where no-one would ever think of looking for you and take you down until you are a quivering mess who accepts the absolute pulchritude of Love, Actually.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 11:54 AM

"pulchritude"? As in "beauty"? YES WE WIN WE WIN WE WIN WE WIN.

Posted by: coveredinbees at October 26, 2011 11:56 AM

Also - Keira Knightley takes her tits out regularly, which is a plus.

Her's certainly aren't the biggest, but I'm a fan of the more petite woman anyway, so - fun!

Posted by: Ari at October 26, 2011 11:57 AM

Craig - Brother Julien does this random response thing I find hilarious you've just reminded me of. To wit -

Mrs. J.: Could you pass me the screwdriver?
Bro J.: Are you calling me fat?

Back to the business at hand. These ladies are lovely and some of them are talented. I hope that time points their careers in a direction justified by the careful consideration of the proportion of each.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 11:59 AM

I see I have been threatened rather forcefully. Did you mean to say "pulchritude"? Perhaps you mean putresence?

I must away! I'll go hide on B**t Hole Day. No one will think to lo

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 12:07 PM

Damn it!

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 12:08 PM

Okay, I've had it with bloody auto-correct ruining my posts. Damn you Steve Jobs. Yes, I said it. I responded to a client by iPhone the other day and "solvent" was auto-corrected to "Slobodan". The client thought I was suggesting we build a slide deck to explain the importance of a Serbian war criminal.
Who is the name of all that is holy builds these frickin' auto-correct suggestions for the Apple algorithms? Sometimes I think they want us all to be fired.

Nonetheless, you get the point:

Me. Mrs. Julien. Neverending quest to put her on the right path.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 12:17 PM

I concur that this list is missing Ruth Wilson. She is crazy good as Alice.

Posted by: Candace at October 26, 2011 12:18 PM

That sounds almost sapphic.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 12:18 PM

Interpret it as you will. I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to show you the error of your ways.

Previews.

Spell checks.

Makes sure the evil Apple editors have not changed "ways" to "waist" since I don't plan on starting WWIII until next week.

Posted by: PaddyDog at October 26, 2011 12:26 PM

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Posted by: NateS1973 at October 26, 2011 12:42 PM

Gemma Arterton? NO. NOT. NEVER. She was a freaking terrible Bond girl, and her face and perma-frozen lip thing is totally distracting. I swear she belongs on the list from a while back about animated humans that attempt to look real, but creep you out because the human eye can tell they are just wrong. (See also - almost every actress on television today)

Posted by: bokchoi at October 26, 2011 1:00 PM

I'm not one for Mulligan. I haven't actually seen her in anything because I find her to be sooooooooooooooo boring in real life.

Also, she is an adorable kid but that picture makes her look forty years old and I don't know how since there isn't a line on her face. But seriously, forty.

Posted by: Nadine at October 26, 2011 1:03 PM

Ruth Wilson definitely belongs on this list. She was great in Jane Eyre.

Posted by: amanda at October 26, 2011 1:15 PM

Mrs. J: Almost?

Posted by: Jerry at October 26, 2011 1:19 PM

I would like to add Sophia Myles to this list. She was excellent in 2007's Mister Foe and 2006's Tristan + Isolde and Art School Confidential. Recently she had a stint on the BBC series "MI-5" or "Spooks." Plus she's adorably cute and rather full figured.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at October 26, 2011 1:46 PM

Michelle Ryan? Really? I find it hard to take anyone from Eastenders seriously.

"You ain't mah muvva! You ain't NUFFINK!"

Posted by: Aston at October 26, 2011 1:52 PM

YES OI AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHM!

Posted by: Nadine at October 26, 2011 2:14 PM

SOPHIA MYLES, dammit!

(She and Keira Knightley were - probably still are? - good friends when they were both starting out. Now Keira has eleventy billion dollars and Sophia... doesn't.)

Posted by: MM at October 26, 2011 2:30 PM

This list needs some Naomie Harris! We have amazing black, British talent over here too!

Posted by: ria at October 26, 2011 2:33 PM

So Keira has finally reached that stage in her career where we're questioning what was it about her we liked in the first place.

Welcome to the club Ms Knightley, you've already met Ms Watts, Ms Kidman, I'll have Ms Johansson fetch you a drink...

Posted by: John W at October 26, 2011 2:38 PM

So, no women of color live in Britain and are actresses?

Posted by: Lola at October 26, 2011 2:57 PM

that gemma girl was in a neat little movie called "The Disappearance of Alice Creed". she wasn't the best part, but i thought i'd mention the movie.

Posted by: glittergirl at October 26, 2011 3:08 PM

I come out of lurking to most emphatically agree on the addition of Ruth Wilson. She's spectacular, my favorite Jane Eyre so far and brilliant in Luther. And so stunning. Please replace Keeley Hawes with her, would you? Hawes does nothing but screech about how ABSURD or UNFORTUNATE things are and I just want her to go away. Ashes to Ashes would have been interesting if she didn't squeal so much about how she didn't understand what was going on or that she knows best. Yergh, that woman.

Posted by: sweetfrancaise at October 26, 2011 3:09 PM

Yes Ruth Wilson! Yes Rebecca Hall Yes Romola Garai!

No Anna Friel?

Posted by: reaperslogic at October 26, 2011 3:41 PM

Anne Marie-Duff definitely needs adding, and also vote for Ruth Wilson. Both have better acting chops than some on this list.

I am for Felicity Jones - great on stage and screen. Small picky thing - Northanger Abbey was ITV not BBC.

Posted by: TS at October 26, 2011 3:43 PM

I would like to add Mia Wasikowska to the list.
Recently saw her in Jane Eyre and was blown away.

Posted by: luna80 at October 26, 2011 3:52 PM

Another vote for Anne Marie Duff, as she's excellent.

I love Kelly MacDonald and have been following her career since Trainspotting, sort of.

I know she's not in that many movies, but save for Dame Maggie Michelle Dockery is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast of Downton Abbey.

Posted by: Zirze at October 26, 2011 3:54 PM

Hi sweetfrancaise! Welcome to De-Lurking!

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 4:08 PM

No Ruth Wilson or Anne Marie Duff??? My adoration for James Mcavoy only grew when I found out he was married to this masterpiece of a woman.

Posted by: rio at October 26, 2011 4:36 PM

At the risk of being totally inappropriate, I have to comment on this post:

You're losing me, Joanna. If you don't like Keira because you find her bland and forgettable that is one thing. It's another to rip on her jaw every single time you mention her name. It's gotten really predictable and pathetic. She could have gone the path of many other stars and gotten her teeth fixed and had her jaw bone shaved down so as not to offend your oh-so-sensitive sense of aesthetics, but she didn't. I think that is commendable. I get it: she is an actress in the public eye and maybe that makes her a "valid" target. I don't think so but I can understand the argument. Even so, I've come to expect a little more originality out of Pajiba writers than "har, har look at that jaw!".

As someone who started throwing up after meals for a few years because people commented on my weight (which in retrospect was not even abnormal), it always frustrates me when I read crap like this about people's looks. Sure she will never see it, and I guess the only people who 'care' what you have to say on this site are Pajiba readers, but it doesn't ingratiate you to at least this long time Pajiba reader.

Posted by: MaxwellDemon at October 26, 2011 4:39 PM

Mrs. Julien - Brother Julien sounds absolutely hilarious.

Personally, I don't think Christina Hendricks is fat. I just find it hilarious that her "real is beautiful" photoshoots involve enough girdles and corsets to launch a Merchant Ivory film, and I like to poke fun at the CH fans, who tend to be a bit, um, reactionary.

Posted by: Craig at October 26, 2011 5:11 PM

Brother Julien is the funny one. Just ask him, he'll tell you. He is also under the impression that he is the boss of me and HE SO IS NOT!

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at October 26, 2011 5:25 PM

Just to say that I have a massive crush on Keeley Hawes. Also to add that I think Lily Loveless (Skins) should become insanely famous because she has a fucking awesome name. Also hot. And talented. Whatever.

I need Keira to go away...just because she's annoying. However not too enchanted with Mulligan either.

Posted by: Joker at October 26, 2011 5:27 PM

I'll take an order of Hayley Atwell to go please!

Oh and give Kiera a bacon cheeseburger on me.

Posted by: logan at October 26, 2011 5:28 PM

I don't really understand the Keira Knightley hate. I mean she's a decent actress, she doesn't do anything stupid & she's never around unless she has a movie out. Therefore I adore her.
As for this list I think Carey Mulligan, Emma Watson & Emily Blunt has an equal amount of fame as Keira.

Posted by: Holly at October 26, 2011 5:32 PM

I think Keira has a fabulous and striking jawline. She is a very attractive woman.

It seems a bit absurd to snark about Keira's "class 3 jaw" and her "orthodontia issues," only to then immediately try to wipe the pettiness away by saying she is "undeniably beautiful." What a crock.

Posted by: jollies at October 26, 2011 7:09 PM

MaxwellDemon, I second your comments.

I don't really understand how Keira Knightley can be criticised for being beautiful (although you've limited that as well by criticising her teeth and jawline) but lacking in talent and then go on to mention specifically the same thing on actresses in a list supposed to be of actresses more deserving of fame! You say that you are unconvinced by Emma Watson's acting abilities and that Karen Gillan is pretty but not that talented. How then are they more deserving of fame than Keira Knightley?! It makes the whole list a bit of a joke when you're putting some actresses on the list purely because you don't hate them as much as Keira Knightley? Way to go for integrity!

Posted by: sevenstories at October 26, 2011 7:25 PM

Felicity Jones - also a Doctor Who alumni. I love her, she was cute as a button in Chalet Girl.

Yes to Emily Blunt, a million times yes.

Funny thing with Keira, I think she's actually got worse as she got older. If you see The Hole or even in Bend it Like Beckham, that was the start of some real actressin' - and THEN ORLANDO BLOOM HAPPENED, infecting her with his wooden. And coming from someone who worked at the theatre where she was on stage in the West End early this year - theatre is NOT her medium, oh god is it not her medium.

Posted by: Laurie at October 26, 2011 8:26 PM

Wrong on Rebecca Hall. The Leno-chin kills it for me and she thusly reminds me of an old boss I had. eeeech

Posted by: Johnnyboy at October 26, 2011 11:37 PM

I am not digging the whole tenor of those post. First, can't we advocate that there is room for a number of famous British actresses? That there should be good roles for all these girls? This post sets it up as if they are pitted up against each other. Only one gets to be the famous starlet and Keira doesn't "deserve" it. This combined with the outpouring of hate over Scarlett Johansson a few days ago has just bummed me out. Why do we have to shit on our female actresses? Particularly those that seem to choose interesting roles and seem to stay out of the whole fame game. Second. I think that Keira's fame is well deserved. She's got an amazing screen presence. She was stunning and expressive in Atonement and I thought she killed in the latest Pride and Prejudice. Her Elizabeth was so perfectly feisty and defiant. She also has a couple of projects coming up that seem really interesting. I am excited to see where she goes.

Posted by: homeslice at October 26, 2011 11:44 PM

Yes to Kelly MacDonald, Keeley Hawes and Rebecca Hall. So yes. I've loved Hall since The Chamomile Lawn, especially in Please Give.

Felicity Jones was a total bright spark in Northanger Abbey but she was amazing in a recording I recently listened to, of a performance of Enid Bagnold's notoriously difficult play The Chalk Garden, at the Donmar Warehouse.

It's a role that most young actors would get totally wrong and Jones not only held her own against the other real pros in the cast, Penelope Wilton, Jamie Glover and Margaret Tyzack, she excelled.

Also, Anna Maxwell Martin, especially in South Riding.

Posted by: Rebecca H. at October 27, 2011 8:30 AM

Whatever, I like Keira. And she never went for the role of Daisy, she was just lumped in with the group of actresses Baz was considering back when that was news(besides, I think all of them will be relieved they dodged that bullet once it comes out).

And I echo the commenters above--these are all very pretty ladies, but some of them are just plain terrible actresses.

Posted by: Gine at October 27, 2011 8:49 AM

@Lola

I think it's possibly true that British women of color don't get the same attention as their compatriots.

I'm a big Archie Panjabi fan, and she's getting a lot of love these days in The Good Wife, much deservedly. A girl to look out for is Wunmi Mosaku. She was incredible in I am Slave and she's been great on The Body Farm, bringing a welcome sweetness to the show. And she's so beautiful I could look at her face all day.

Posted by: Rebecca H. at October 27, 2011 8:52 AM

I keep thinking of more! Zawe Ashton and Natalie Press.

Re some of the above comments, please take all this in good humour. This site rips on people regularly and never maliciously. Knightley is a moderately talented actor who does seem to get all the roles, and it's perfectly reasonable to ask if there might not be some more suitable people out there to take them instead.

Posted by: Caspar at October 27, 2011 12:26 PM

I'm glad to see so many people realize how petty and ridiculous this article is. The way other women talk about Keira Knightley has always shocked me, as if this seemingly nice and professional actress is not worthy of any respect. She doesn't get roles because of her fame, she gets roles from directors who respect her. Carey Mulligan is about as interesting as a block of wood, and lucky for Keira she never even auditioned for the future Gatsby trainwreck.

Posted by: Ana at October 31, 2011 11:21 AM

Juno Temple?

Posted by: luke at October 31, 2011 7:47 PM

Ana - well said. I've always respected Keira as an actress and I honestly think she's worthy of her fame. I don't understand where such intense hatred comes from. It's not like she's constantly photographed getting drunk in the papers or anything.

Oh, and I have never noticed anything wrong with her jaw. Seriously. Never.

Posted by: A. at November 1, 2011 9:05 PM

I agree with most of these but no way, not Gemma Arterton! She is one of the most overrated actresses of the past decade, not to mention completely full of herself. A RADA graduate she may be, but the evidence of training is negligible. And her attitude towards her past projects is disgusting. Usually actors wait a decent fifteen years before trashing the movies that put them on the map, but not Gemma. At best she's the new Sienna Miller - only more boring.

Posted by: evadestruction at November 2, 2011 1:03 PM

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Posted by: Mitchell Remme at November 22, 2011 3:33 AM

@ Joanna
I don't get your hate for Keira. To tell you the truth, being an Asian woman, i find Keira extremely beautiful and unique looking. She is the only British actress after Kate Winslet who has impressed me both with her looks and talent. I don't know why you hate her so much but honey her fame is certainly not undeserving. She has worked hard. I was recently introduced to her in this very year when i watched pirates. Yes i never saw this franchise before. I liked her so much that i searched and bought all her movies that i could get my hands on. She is a very talented actress. I absolutely loved her in atonement and pride and prejudice. As for her jaw, perhaps you have never noticed that her jaw line is one of the most unique jawline that i have never seen. It is one thing that you don't like her as an actress but it is another thing to hate an actress because of her looks. If you really wanted to write an article on these above mentioned women, you could have suggested roles for them to be successful but demonizing another well deserving actress is something that i can't fathom. Perhaps it is the female jealousy that is speaking.

Being a woman, i never understand this female jealousy or contempt for another woman. To rip apart another female to feel better. And yes it is jealousy no matter how much you deny otherwise why you will care. You will just ignore her. If i dislike any woman, i ignore her but i will not go out of my way to write a article about her. Believe me she is spectacular. This is coming form an Asian.
PS. It is better if you don't watch her movies. You can ignore her. Can't you? Save yourself the trouble.

Posted by: Maham at December 7, 2011 2:50 PM

Moreover, among all the women you have mentioned, I only recognized Emily Blunt and Emma Watson. Not sure about Emma Watson but Emily Blunt certainly has a lot of potential. She was amazing in Devil wears Prada. All the best to her.

Posted by: Maham at December 7, 2011 2:56 PM

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Enough, Enough Now. 13 British Actresses Who Deserve Fame More Than Keira Knightley Does

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