Morfydd Clark

Morfydd Clark
Clark in 2022
Born (1989-03-17) 17 March 1989
Sweden[1]
CitizenshipBritish
OccupationActress
Years active2013–present

Morfydd Clark (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈmɔrvɪð];[2] born 17 March 1989) is a Welsh actress.[3][4] She is best known for playing Galadriel in the Amazon Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–present).[5][6][7][8] She received a number of accolades for her performance in the film Saint Maud (2019), including a BAFTA Cymru as well as BIFA and BAFTA Rising Star Award nominations.

Clark's other films include a leading role in folk-horror film, Starve Acre (2023), and supporting credits in Love & Friendship (2016), Interlude in Prague (2017), The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) and Ophelia in Hamlet (2025). Also on television, she played Mina Harker in Dracula (2020), Sister Clara in His Dark Materials (2019) and Bridget Conway in Murder is Easy (2023).

Early life

Clark was born in Sweden on 17 March 1989 then moved with her family to Penarth, Wales, when she was 2 years old.[9] Her mother is a paediatrician whose lineage comes from North Wales while she described her father as a "Northern Irish Glaswegian" who works in software and security.[10][11] She also has a younger sister, Siwan.[12] Her parents speak English together but her maternal grandparents are Welsh speakers which led to her attending a Welsh language school, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg.[13] She is bilingual in English and Welsh.[11]

Her first acting experience was playing Mrs Dai Bread in a school production of Under Milk Wood.[14] After struggling with dyslexia and ADHD, she left school at sixteen.[15] She later completed her A Levels at Kings Monkton School in Cardiff. In 2009, she was accepted to British Youth Music Theatre's production of According to Brian Haw[16] and to the National Youth Theatre of Wales, before training at the Drama Centre London.[15]

Career

2013–2021: Early career

In 2013, Clark left Drama Centre in her final term to star in Saunders Lewis's play Blodeuwedd with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. She has appeared in Violence and Son at the Royal Court, as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, and in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Donmar Warehouse.[17] She played Frederica Vernon in Whit Stillman's film Love & Friendship.[18] In 2016, Clark was named as one of the Screen International Stars of Tomorrow for her early work in television and theatre.[14] She appeared in the film The Call Up[19] and as Cordelia in King Lear at The Old Vic.[20] In 2017, she starred in Interlude In Prague,[21][22] and portrayed Catherine Dickens in The Man Who Invented Christmas.[23]

In 2019, she appeared in the films Crawl, The Personal History of David Copperfield, and Eternal Beauty. Also that year, Clark starred as Maud in the psychological horror film Saint Maud, for which she was nominated for Best Actress of the 2020 British Independent Film Awards.[24][25] For her performance as Maud, she won the BAFTA Cymru best actress award,[26] and was nominated for the 2021 BAFTA Rising Star Award.[27]

2022–present: The Rings of Power

Clark played the character Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime[5][6][7][8] (a younger version of the character found in The Lord of the Rings). She was so shocked when she was cast in the role that she fainted.[28]

Clark has cited that she is "proud" that being a Welsh speaker influenced her portrayal of her bilingual character, Galadriel. The actor stated, "I feel I can be much more romantic and deep in Welsh. So that was really useful for me, because I was thinking, '[What's the] language of her heart? What language does she think in?'" In another interview, the actor discussed her education in Welsh: "Well, I went to a Welsh language school and everything is taught in Welsh. Welsh is phonetic, so it's great for people with dyslexia. I started learning English in the third year. What my Tolkien-obsessed mother was really proud of and passed on to us was that Tolkien was inspired by the Welsh. Oddly enough, his work was a badge of honour for me, because the Welsh are Welsh and obsessed with anything Welsh."[29] She also mentioned enjoying speaking in Welsh on-set with co-stars Owain Arthur and Trystan Gravelle.[30]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Madame Bovary Camille
The Falling Pamela Charron
2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Georgiana Darcy
Love & Friendship Frederica Vernon [31][32]
The Call Up Shelly
2017 Interlude in Prague Zuzanna Luptak
The Man Who Invented Christmas Kate Dickens
2019 Crawl Beth Keller
The Personal History of David Copperfield Dora Spenlow / Clara Copperfield [33]
Eternal Beauty young Jane
Saint Maud Katie / Maud [34][35]
2023 Starve Acre Juliette
2025 Hamlet Ophelia [36]
2028 The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event † Cynthia Lennon Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2014 New Worlds Amelia Television miniseries
A Poet in New York Nancy Wickwire Television film
2015 Arthur & George Mary Episode: "1.1"
2016 National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses Cécile Volanges
2018 The Alienist Caroline Bell Episode: "Silver Smile"
The City and the City Yolanda Stark Episodes: "Breach," "Ordinary"
Patrick Melrose Debbie Hickman Episodes: "Bad News," "Some Hope"
Outsiders Mari Television film
2019 His Dark Materials Sister Clara 4 episodes
2020 Dracula Mina Harker Television miniseries
2022–present The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Galadriel Main role[5][6][7][8][37][38]
2023 Murder is Easy Bridget Two-part drama[39]

Theatre

Year Play Role Theatre company Director

(Writer)

Notes
2013 Blodeuwedd[40] Blodeuwedd Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru Arwel Griffiths

(Saunders Lewis)

2015 Violence and Son Jen The Royal Court Hamish Pirie

(Gary Owen)

[41]
2015 Romeo and Juliet Juliet The Crucible Theatre Jonathan Humphreys

(William Shakespeare)

[42]
2015 Les Liaisons Dangereuses Cecile The Donmar Warehouse Josie Rourke

(Christopher Hampton)

[43][44]
2016 King Lear Cordelia The Old Vic Deborah Warner

(William Shakespeare)

2017 The Cherry Orchard Anya The Sherman Rachel O'Riordan

(Anton Chekhov/Gary Owen)

[45][46]
2019 The Colours Joe Soho Theatre Max Barton

(Harriet Madeley)

[47]
2024 Look Back In Anger Helena Charles Almeida Atri Banerjee

(John Osborne)

2024 Roots Beatie Bryant Almeida Diyan Zora

(Arnold Wesker)

[48][49]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2020 Dublin Film Critics' Circle Breakthrough Award Saint Maud and The Personal History of David Copperfield Won [50]
Sunset Film Circle Awards Best Actress Saint Maud Nominated [51]
2021 London Critics' Circle Film Awards British/Irish Actress of the Year Saint Maud and Eternal Beauty Won [52]
Actress of the Year Saint Maud Nominated
British Independent Film Awards Best Actress Nominated [53][54]
BAFTA Cymru Best Actress Won [26]
British Academy Film Awards Rising Star Award Nominated [55][27]
2022 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Lead Performance Nominated [56]
2023 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Nominated [57]
Canneseries Madame Figaro Rising Star Award Won [58]

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Morfydd Clark British Youth Music Theatre". British Youth Music Theatre. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Morfydd Clark on Anya". Sherman Theatre. October 9, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (October 12, 2019). "Three films, four roles, one breakout star: Morfydd Clark". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "Rising stars of 2017: actor Morfydd Clark". The Guardian. January 1, 2017. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Livingstone, Jo (September 16, 2022). ""The Rings of Power" Is True to Tolkien's Mythmaking Spirit". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Morfydd Clark: Siarad Cymraeg yn help i chwarae Galadriel". BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). October 6, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Morfydd Clark: Elbisch für Fortgeschrittene". Der Spiegel (in German). September 9, 2022. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Murray, Noel (September 2, 2022). "'The Rings of Power' Premiere Recap: All Is Not Calm in Middle-Earth". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  9. ^ "Morfydd Clark interview: Her sexual awakening performances have critics in raptures". The Independent. November 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  10. ^ Marsh, Carl (October 9, 2020). "Morfydd Clark Interview". Buzz. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Armistead, Claire (September 20, 2020). "Morfydd Clark: 'In the acting world, my ADHD tendencies are seen as charming'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Lewis, Tim (August 18, 2024). "'I seem to have this uncanny vibe about me': actor Morfydd Clark on her eerie roles". The Guardian.
  13. ^ "Morfydd Clark yn lleisio trêl ar gyfer cyfres The Lord of the Rings". Golwg 360. November 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Morfydd Clark, Stars of Tomorrow 2016". screendaily.com. October 3, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Williams, Holly (January 1, 2017). "Rising stars of 2017: actor Morfydd Clark". The Guardian. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  16. ^ "According to Brian Haw (2009) | British Youth Music Theatre".
  17. ^ Khan, Jessica (September 2, 2015). "Morfydd Clark Joins LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at Donmar This Winter". Broadway World. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  18. ^ Robey, Tim (May 26, 2016). "Love & Friendship shows just how funny Jane Austen can be - review". The Telegraph. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  19. ^ McNamara, Fred. "The Call Up". Starburst. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  20. ^ BWW news desk (May 26, 2016). "Jane Horrocks, Celia Imrie & Morfydd Clark to Join Glenda Jackson in The Old Vic's KING LEAR". Broadway World. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Khan, Jessica (March 24, 2016). "Stage Stars Samantha Barks and Morfydd Clark Join INTERLUDE IN PRAGUE Film". Broadway World. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  22. ^ Grater, Tom (April 4, 2016). "'Interlude In Prague' starts shoot, adds cast". Screen Daily. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  23. ^ "' Lord of the Rings' Series Taps Morfydd Clark as Young Galadriel (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  24. ^ Wade, Joseph (February 18, 2021). "2020 British Independent Film Awards – Winners List". Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  25. ^ "Saint Maud: Will Gompertz reviews Rose Glass's debut film ★★★★☆". BBC News. October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Bafta Cymru: Gangs of London wins four awards". bbc.co.uk. October 25, 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Kingsley Ben-Adir among Bafta Rising Star nominees". bbc.co.uk. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  28. ^ "'Rings of Power' Star Morfydd Clark Fainted When She Was Cast in Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' Series". ca.news.yahoo.com. August 16, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  29. ^ "Lord of the Rings star Morfydd Clark 'proud' Welsh influenced her portrayal of bilingual Mighty Morfydd Power Elf". Nation.Cymru. September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  30. ^ "Lord of the Rings star Morfydd Clark says she 'spoke more Welsh in New Zealand than in London'". Nation.Cymru. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  31. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (May 26, 2016). "Love & Friendship review – Whit Stillman's Austen drama is a racy delight". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  32. ^ Smith, Nigel M. (January 24, 2016). "Love & Friendship review: Kate Beckinsale is a devious delight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  33. ^ Kermode, Mark; critic, Observer film (January 26, 2020). "The Personal History of David Copperfield review – Iannucci makes Dickens his own". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  34. ^ Shoard, Catherine (December 10, 2020). "The 50 best films of 2020 in the UK, No 7: Saint Maud". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  35. ^ Kermode, Mark; critic, Mark Kermode Observer film (October 11, 2020). "Saint Maud review – a chilling nurse on a mission from God". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 11, 2022). "Oscar Winners Riz Ahmed & Aneil Karia Team For Modern Hamlet With Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn & WME Independent; Duo Give Exclusive Interview About Their Timely Adaptation — Cannes Market Hot Package". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 17, 2019). "'Lord of the Rings Series Taps Morfydd Clark as Young Galadriel". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  38. ^ "How Galadriel Became One of the Most Fascinating Characters in 'Lord of the Rings'". Time. September 2, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "Casting revealed for Murder is Easy, based on the classic mystery by Agatha Christie". bbc.co.uk/mediacentre. July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  40. ^ Gower, Jon (July 25, 2013). "Blodeuwedd". Wales Arts Review. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  41. ^ Clapp, Susannah (June 21, 2015). "Violence and Son review – you are what you do in the Welsh valleys". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  42. ^ Hickling, Alfred (October 1, 2015). "Romeo and Juliet review – grungy tragedy smells of teen spirit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  43. ^ Clapp, Susannah (December 20, 2015). "Les Liaisons Dangereuses review – Janet McTeer is a marvel". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  44. ^ Billington, Michael (December 18, 2015). "Les Liaisons Dangereuses review – Dominic West on love's battlefield". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  45. ^ Brennan, Clare (October 22, 2017). "The Cherry Orchard review – all change for Chekhov". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  46. ^ Gardner, Lyn (October 19, 2017). "The Cherry Orchard review – uprooted Chekhov chimes with Thatcher's Britain". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  47. ^ "Crowded Room Theatre Company Announces World Premiere of The Colours at Soho Theatre". Theatre Weekly. June 24, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  48. ^ "Breaking Baz: Morfydd Clark & Billy Howle Lead Hot Theater Productions In London Dubbed The Angry & Young Season". Deadline. May 20, 2024.
  49. ^ "Roots/Look Back in Anger at the Almeida review: the ferocious roar of angry young men and women resonate down the decades". standard. October 2, 2024.
  50. ^ Clarke, Donald (December 18, 2020). "Dublin film critics reveal their best film of 2020". The Irish Times. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  51. ^ "Inaugural Sunset Circle award nominees announced". screenonscreen.co.uk. November 24, 2020.
  52. ^ Cline, Rich (February 7, 2021). "London Critics name Nomadland their best film of 2020". Critics' Circle. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  53. ^ "Winners & Nominations". BIFA. December 4, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  54. ^ Pulver, Andrew (December 9, 2020). "Saint Maud leads British independent film award nominations". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  55. ^ Pewsey, Guy (March 3, 2021). "Bukky Bakray And Morfydd Clark Among Nominees For BAFTA's EE Rising Star Award". Grazia. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  56. ^ "The 2022 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards". knotfest.com. May 16, 2022.
  57. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 3rd Annual Critics Choice Super Awards honoring Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action Movies and Series". Critics Choice Association. February 22, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  58. ^ "Madame Figaro Rising Star Award". canneseries.com (in French). Retrieved April 17, 2023.
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