She was nominated for a 2004 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress of 2003 for her performance in "After Miss Julie" at the Donmar Warehouse. She became the youngest actress ever to be nominated for that category (aged 26).

She received an audition for the hit British show, Prime Suspect (1991), after writing a letter to the producers.

Married her fiancé Kyle Baugher, a financier, in a private ceremony in Somerset, England. The couple had been in a relationship since 2010.

She won the Empire Award for Best Newcomer in 2005 for her role in the film, Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005).

Her grandparents were Irish.

In Eli, she performs with a full mid American accent hiding her actual English accent.

She starred as Miss Caroline Bingley, opposite Keira Knightley, in the 2005 film, Pride & Prejudice (2005).

She married Kyle Baugher in 2012.

She has twice worked with Rupert Penry-Jones, both times playing lovers. Once in Poirot (1989) episode, Sad Cypress (2003), and then in Joe's Palace (2007).