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Emily Bruni

Emily Bruni (born 1975) is an English actress renowned for her versatile performances across , and , often portraying complex, strong-willed characters in dramatic and action-oriented roles. Bruni trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in , honing her craft before embarking on an extensive career that spans leading roles in multiple genres. Bruni's television work includes notable roles such as Rachel Klein, the eccentric businesswoman in the 2009 BBC Three series Personal Affairs, where her character was depicted as a searing intellect in a loving relationship, drawing partial inspiration from Bruni's own heritage. She also appeared as Helene Dufosse in an episode of and as Sarah in . More recently, she guest-starred as Rebecca Mitchell in season 2 of the Apple TV+ espionage thriller (2022), portraying a entangled in an amid the series' high-stakes intrigue. Additional TV credits encompass Intergalactic (2021) as the voice of The Hemlock and Soulmates (2020). In film, Bruni played the sniper Shooter in Martin Campbell's 2024 action thriller , a story of female soldiers rescuing kidnapped schoolgirls in , starring alongside . Her earlier film role includes Janet in Intimate Affairs (2001). On stage, Bruni has excelled in , with extensive work across productions; a standout is her solo performance in Matt Wilkinson's (2021–2022), where she portrayed a mid-career actress navigating industry abuse and a Hitchcock-inspired murder mystery, earning an Off West End Award nomination for her poised and vivid storytelling. A of is currently in development.

Early life and education

Early life

Emily Bruni was born in 1975 in , , , to an English mother and an father. She was raised primarily in the , though she spent significant portions of her childhood in . This bicultural upbringing, influenced by her dual heritage, fostered her bilingual proficiency in English and from an early age.

Education

Emily Bruni completed her secondary education in before pursuing professional training. Bruni then trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in , where she honed her skills in , voice, and movement through a comprehensive three-year program. A key aspect of her preparation involved performing in student productions, including (1995–1996), which allowed her to explore character development in a context. This training emphasized classical and contemporary techniques, preparing her for professional stage work.

Career

Theatre

Emily Bruni has built an extensive theatre career spanning over two decades, taking on leading roles in classical, modern, and contemporary productions across major venues. Her work emphasizes versatile performances in dramatic and comedic contexts, often highlighting complex female characters. Early in her stage career, Bruni spent three years as a company member with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she portrayed Esmeralda in Tennessee Williams's Camino Real, directed by Steven Pimlott at the in 1998. In this role, she embodied the enigmatic gypsy figure in a dreamlike exploration of existential themes, contributing to the RSC's innovative staging of mid-20th-century American drama. She later starred as Jean Rhys in the Shared Experience Theatre's adaptation After Mrs Rochester, directed by Polly Teale, which premiered in 2003 and toured internationally, including opening the New Sydney Theatre. Bruni's performance as the author and protagonist delved into themes of identity and literary reinvention, drawing from Rhys's life and works like Wide Sargasso Sea. In 2013, Bruni took the role of Claire Sutton, the sharp-witted special advisor, in the West End revival of Yes, Prime Minister by and at the . Her nuanced depiction of the character's political maneuvering added depth to the satirical comedy's commentary on and power dynamics. Bruni earned critical acclaim for her lead performance in the one-woman play by Matt Wilkinson, which premiered in June 2021 at in as a pop-up production. Portraying an actress in her forties suspected of murdering a domineering , Bruni's solo turn explored themes of , industry abuse, and personal reckoning in a thriller style. The show transferred to the Fringe Festival in August 2022 at the Traverse Theatre, where it received nominations at the Off West End Awards, including for Bruni in the category of in a . Across genres—from Shakespearean ensembles to intimate monologues—Bruni's leading roles demonstrate her command of emotional range and stage presence, solidifying her reputation in British theatre.

Television

Emily Bruni began her television career with the role of Tanya Rubens in the ITV mini-series Metropolis (2000), a drama written by Peter Morgan that explored life in a modern British city. In 2002, she appeared as Dr. Hannah Awkward, a of pedantics, in the sitcom Believe Nothing, starring alongside as the brilliant but eccentric academic Quadruple Cnut. That same year, Bruni portrayed , the secretary to Jeffrey Grainger and love interest of the character , in six episodes of the third series of , the revival of the popular British comedy-drama about construction workers abroad. Bruni's television work continued in 2004 with a guest appearance as Helene Dufosse in the episode "The Body in the Library" of the ITV series Agatha Christie's Marple, starring Geraldine McEwan. In 2005, she took the lead role of Empress in the historical drama , a documentary-style reconstruction of the ruler's life, drawing on her memoirs and letters for authenticity. Bruni had a recurring role as Rachel Klein in the 2009 BBC Three mini-series Personal Affairs, a drama about the personal and professional lives of executives at a public relations firm. From 2009 to 2012, she appeared as Gail Huggins, the no-nonsense girlfriend of a supporting character, in five episodes across series 6, 7, and 8 of the comedy , contributing to the show's depiction of awkward social dynamics. In 2021, Bruni provided the voice for The Hemlock, an artificial intelligence entity, in the Sky One sci-fi series Intergalactic, which follows a group of police officers imprisoned on an alien planet. More recently, in 2022, she guest-starred as Rebecca Mitchell in the episode "Drinking Games" of the Apple TV+ espionage thriller Slow Horses, playing a woman entangled in an incident involving a key character.

Film

Emily Bruni made her feature film debut in 2001 with the role of Janet in Intimate Affairs, a comedy-drama directed by that explores themes of sexuality through a series of discussions among a group of friends. In the film, her character contributes to the ensemble's introspective dialogues, marking an early screen appearance for the actress in independent cinema. Bruni later appeared in the 2010 comedy-drama Tamara Drewe, directed by and adapted from ' , where she portrayed , one of the disruptive schoolgirls causing chaos in a rural English village. The film, starring in the title role, blends humor and social , with Bruni's performance adding to the youthful energy of the . In a more recent project, Bruni took on the action-oriented role of , a skilled , in the 2024 thriller , directed by . Set in , the film follows a team of female soldiers disguised as medics on a high-stakes mission to rescue kidnapped teenagers amid conflicts involving and the , showcasing Bruni's versatility in intense, genre-driven sequences. Her portrayal emphasizes tactical precision and resilience in the film's action elements.

Personal life

Family

Emily Bruni is married to Matt Wilkinson, a British playwright and director known for works such as and My Eyes Went Dark. The couple has collaborated professionally, with Bruni starring in several of Wilkinson's productions, including the one-woman play , which he wrote and directed. Bruni and Wilkinson have one son together. The family resides in , a vibrant neighborhood in , where they have established their home and family life.

Interests

Emily Bruni has a deep passion for , often exploring culinary traditions from around the world as a way to connect with diverse cultures. Her interest in encompasses both performance and personal expression, serving as a creative outlet beyond her professional pursuits. Travel holds a special place in her life, driven by a desire to experience new environments and inspired in part by her bilingual heritage, which facilitates immersion in and English-speaking regions. In addition to these pursuits, Bruni is a dedicated practitioner of and , maintaining a long-term commitment to these disciplines. She has extended her involvement by teaching and sessions under the professional name Emily Valente, emphasizing and physical balance in her instruction. This practice reflects her holistic approach to personal well-being, integrating these activities into her daily routine for mental clarity and rejuvenation.

References

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    Emily Bruni - IMDb
    Bruni trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Her passions include food, dance and travel. Bruni has worked extensively in theatre, TV ...
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    Press Office - Personal Affairs press pack: Emily Bruni - BBC
    May 27, 2009 · Born to wealth, privilege and education, Rachel is a searing intellect, possesses an extraordinary business ability and has an extremely ...
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    Emily Bruni guest stars in Slow Horses - Markham, Froggatt & Irwin
    Dec 16, 2022 · This week Emily Bruni guest stars as Rebecca Mitchell, a woman involved in an accident involving Harper as he was making his way back from his drinking games.
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    Emily Bruni - TV Guide
    See Emily Bruni full list of movies and tv shows from their career. Find where to watch Emily Bruni's latest movies and tv shows.
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    Dirty Angels (2024) - IMDb
    Rating 4.5/10 (6,049) It centers on a group of female soldiers who disguise themselves as medics to rescue a group of teenagers caught between ISIS and the forces of the Taliban.Emily Bruni · Dirty Angels · User reviews · Parents guide
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    Psychodrama review – Hitchcock thriller prompts tale of acting and ...
    Aug 8, 2022 · Emily Bruni stars as a mid-career actor who thinks she's landed a dream role in a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
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    Emily Bruni - Actor Filmography، photos، Video
    An English actress, born in Exeter, England, to an Italian father. She studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. Her works include Intimate ...Missing: family background early life
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    Emily Bruni Photos, News and Videos, Trivia and Quotes - FamousFix
    Emily attended high school at St Peter's school. For university, she studied at Exeter University. She has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair (color). You can ...
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    Full Name at Birth, Emily Bruni ; Birthday, 30th November, 1974 ; Birthplace, Exeter, Devon, England, UK ; Build, Slim ; Eye Color, Brown - Dark.
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    Meet Me in St Louis 1995 – 1996, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London. Tools. Edit this person · Add a new production involving this person. This is a ...
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    Rating 7.5/10 (77) Metropolis. TV Mini Series; 2000–; 54m. IMDb RATING. 7.5/10. 77. YOUR RATING. Rate. Jason Barry, Emily Bruni, James Fox, Louise Lombard, Kris Marshall, Flora.
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    Believe Nothing (TV Series 2002) - IMDb
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    Emily Bruni - TMDB
    Emily Bruni is an English actress. Bruni has worked extensively in theatre, TV and film playing leading roles across all genres.