Fiona Button
Fiona Button is an English actress, born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1983 to a Swiss mother and an English father.[1][2] She was raised in Newbury, Berkshire, where she attended Park House School and later St. Bartholomew's School for sixth form.[3][4] Button studied drama at the University of Birmingham before training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[5] Button began her career in stage and screen acting, appearing in London theatre productions and early television roles in series such as The Bill, Midsomer Murders, and The Palace.[6] She gained prominence for her role as Tess Roberts in the BBC Three drama Lip Service (2010–2012), a series exploring lesbian relationships in contemporary Glasgow.[1] Her breakthrough in mainstream television came with the role of Rose Defoe, the free-spirited youngest daughter in a family of divorce lawyers, in the BBC legal drama The Split (2018–2024), which earned critical acclaim for its portrayal of modern family dynamics and gender issues.[2][1] In addition to television, Button has appeared in films and other series, including a role in the HBO financial drama Industry (2020) and the romantic comedy Truelove (2024).[1] She is also a voice artist, known for her versatile range including fresh, young, cool, honest, and intelligent tones, and speaks fluent Swiss French and French.[7] Button has directed projects and continues to work in both acting and voice-over capacities, represented by agencies for on-screen and audio work.[1][7]Early life
Childhood
Fiona Button was born in 1983 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother, Jacqueline, and an English father, Charles.[2] Her parents' marriage ended in divorce when Button was four years old, after which she and her older sister moved to live with their mother in Berkshire, England.[2] Button was raised in Newbury, Berkshire, where she attended Park House School and later the sixth form at St. Bartholomew's School, following the family's relocation from Switzerland.[3][4]Education
Fiona Button attended the University of Birmingham, where she studied drama and earned an undergraduate degree around 2005.[8][5] Her time there fostered a deep appreciation for the subject, as she later recalled enjoying the city's vibrant cultural scene, including local curries and the evolving Bullring area, which complemented her academic pursuits.[8] Following her undergraduate studies, Button took a year of odd jobs before enrolling at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London for specialized acting training.[9] She graduated from the academy in 2007, having focused on classical techniques such as Received Pronunciation (RP) to prepare for stage work.[1] During her time at Webber Douglas—now integrated into the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama—Button engaged in rigorous performance training that emphasized vocal and physical discipline, though she later reflected that developing her unique voice was equally crucial for professional success.[9] The academy's curriculum provided Button with foundational skills that directly bridged her academic background to early professional opportunities, enabling her to secure roles immediately upon graduation, such as her West End debut in Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll.[9] This training built on her early interest in performance, honed through informal experiences, and equipped her with the versatility needed for theatre transitions.[8]Career
Theatre
Fiona Button made her West End debut in Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll in 2007, originating the roles of young Esme and Alice at the Royal Court Theatre before the production transferred to the Duke of York's Theatre, under the direction of Trevor Nunn.[1][10] Her performance as Wendy Darling in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Wendy & Peter Pan in 2013 marked a significant lead role, with the production receiving critical acclaim for its fresh adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic.[11][12] The Times praised Button's portrayal for its "sharp intelligence and emotional depth," highlighting her ability to convey the character's growth and vulnerability.[13] In 2014, Button took on the demanding role of Annabella in John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's a Whore at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, delivering a performance noted for its strength and defiance in Michael Longhurst's intimate production.[14] This appearance further showcased her command of Jacobean tragedy, opposite Max Bennett as Giovanni.[15] Button's theatre career reached another milestone in 2018 with her portrayal of Cecily Cardew in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at the Vaudeville Theatre, part of the Classic Spring season celebrating Wilde's works.[16] Critics commended her engaging and whimsical interpretation, emphasizing her chemistry with the ensemble in this comic staple.[17] Throughout her stage career, Button has transitioned from supporting roles in ensemble pieces like Rock 'n' Roll to prominent leads across periods, demonstrating versatility in both contemporary works and classical revivals, from Stoppard's intellectual dramas to Ford's intense tragedies and Wilde's sparkling satires.[10][14] Her trajectory reflects a steady rise, earning acclaim for her emotional range and adaptability, though her stage appearances have been limited since 2018 amid growing television commitments.[5]Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Bill | Susie Matthews | Guest role (1 episode: "Behind Closed Doors")[18] |
| 2007 | Midsomer Murders | Willow McKinley | Guest role (1 episode: "The Axeman Cometh")[19] |
| 2008 | The Palace | Lucy Bedford | Recurring role (8 episodes)[20] |
| 2010 | How Not to Live Your Life | Jenny | Guest role (1 episode: "Don's Angry Girlfriend") |
| 2010–2012 | Lip Service | Tess Roberts | Main role (12 episodes)[21] |
| 2014–2016 | Grantchester | Jennifer Chambers | Recurring role (3 episodes) |
| 2018–2022, 2024 (special) | The Split | Rose Defoe | Main role (20 episodes + 2-part special)[22][23] |
| 2024 | Industry | Denise Oldroyd | Recurring role (5 episodes)[24] |
| 2024 | Truelove | Kate | Main role (miniseries, 6 episodes)[25] |
| 2025 | Dope Girls | Sophie Asquith-Gore | Main role (6 episodes)[26] |
Film
Fiona Button's film credits include the following:| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | We'll Take Manhattan | Lavinia | TV movie[27][28] |
| 2015 | Bugsplat! | Gina McCutcheon | TV movie[29] |
| 2022 | Fisherman's Friends: One and All | Petra | Feature film[30][31] |
Personal life
Marriage
Fiona Button married British screenwriter Henry Fleet in July 2014 during a private ceremony that reflected the couple's preference for keeping their personal affairs out of the public eye.[32] The wedding was low-profile, consistent with their approach to privacy as actors and creatives in the entertainment industry, and Button later shared a rare photo of their first dance to mark their fourth anniversary in 2018.[33] The pair's relationship prior to marriage developed in the early 2010s, though specific details remain scarce due to their discreet nature.[2] Button has alluded to the "haphazard" circumstances of how they met, likening it to a dramatic subplot in one of her television roles.[2] Their shared professional backgrounds—Button in acting and Fleet in screenwriting—have fostered a mutual understanding of the industry's demands, contributing to the longevity of their partnership without public disruptions. As of 2024, the couple remains happily married with no reported changes to their union.[34]Family
Fiona Button and screenwriter Henry Fleet welcomed their first child, a daughter named Fordy, in 2017. The couple, married since 2014, has kept the exact birth date private, though Button referenced her 15-month-old daughter during a 2018 interview while preparing for a West End role.[35] Building on their marital foundation, this addition marked the start of Button's journey into parenthood. As of February 2025, Fordy is seven years old, and no further expansions to the family have been reported. Button has continued her acting career post-motherhood, demonstrating her ability to maintain professional commitments alongside family responsibilities. Button has described receiving strong support in her professional environments as a new mother, which facilitated balancing her demanding schedule with parenting. For example, during her 2018 theatre work, she noted, "Personally, what I have experienced with being a new mum is that I have been very well supported on my last two jobs."[36] In February 2025, she discussed her experiences with postnatal depression, health anxiety, and ADHD related to motherhood in a podcast interview.[37] She maintains a stance of privacy regarding family matters, sharing limited details and avoiding public photos of her daughter on social media.Filmography
Film
Fiona Button's film credits include the following:| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Cecily Cardew | Filmed stage production[38] |
| 2021 | No One Is Talking About This | Storyteller | Short film[39] |
| 2022 | Fisherman's Friends: One and All | Petra | Feature film[30][31] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Bill | Susie Matthews | Guest role (1 episode: "Behind Closed Doors")[18] |
| 2007 | Midsomer Murders | Willow McKinley | Guest role (1 episode: "The Axeman Cometh")[19] |
| 2008 | The Palace | Lucy Bedford | Recurring role (8 episodes)[20] |
| 2010 | How Not to Live Your Life | Jenny | Guest role (1 episode: "Don's Angry Girlfriend") |
| 2010–2012 | Lip Service | Tess Roberts | Main role (12 episodes)[21] |
| 2012 | We'll Take Manhattan | Lavinia | TV movie[27][28] |
| 2014–2016 | Grantchester | Jennifer Chambers | Recurring role (3 episodes) |
| 2015 | Bugsplat! | Gina McCutcheon | TV movie[29] |
| 2018–2024 | The Split | Rose Defoe | Main role (20 episodes)[22] |
| 2020 | Industry | Denise Oldroyd | Recurring role (5 episodes)[24] |
| 2024 | Truelove | Kate | Main role (miniseries, 6 episodes)[25] |
| 2025 | Dope Girls | Sophie Asquith-Gore | Main role (upcoming series)[26] |