Ruth Wilson

Golden Globe and two-time Olivier Award-winning actress RUTH WILSON stars as Alison in SHOWTIME's hit drama series THE AFFAIR.

Wilson has paved her way in theatre, television, and film. Most known for her work on the London stage and for the portrayal of the character Alison in THE AFFAIR and of Alice in LUTHER, Wilson has quickly become one of Britain's most lauded young actresses.

In 2015, Wilson finished the run of her Broadway debut in the role of Marianne in the critically acclaimed CONSTELLATIONS, starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Michael Longhurst. CONSTELLATIONS, written by Nick Payne, tells the story of one relationship with infinite possibilities, exploring the boundless potential of a first encounter, free will, and friendship. The show opened to rave reviews and ran through March of 2015.

Also in 2015, Wilson starred in the cinematic dream sequence short film ELEANOR, directed by Alex Warren and Tobias Ross-Southall.

In 2013, Wilson starred in three films; Disney's critically acclaimed film SAVING MR. BANKS, opposite Colin Farrell, Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. The film, directed by John Lee Hancock, won AFI's 2014 "Movie of the Year" Award and was recognized by the National Board of Review in their "Top 10 Films" and chronicles the true story of the development of the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins. Wilson also starred in Disney's THE LONE RANGER alongside Armie Hammer and directed by Gore Verbinski. Wilson lent her voice as the wife of Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) in the critically acclaimed film, LOCKE. Written and directed by Steven Knight, Locke premiered at the 2014 Venice International Film Festival and premiered in the Spotlight program at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

In 2012, Wilson starred in Joe Wright's film adaptation of Tolstoy's ANNA KARENINA opposite Keira Knightley and Jude Law as the character Princess Betsy.

Wilson is a mainstay on the British stage, where she has won two Olivier Awards for her performances in two Donmar Warehouse productions: Tennessee Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, where she portrayed the character Stella and Anna Christie, in which she starred opposite Jude Law and portrayed Anna. In 2010, Wilson portrayed Karin in an Almeida Theatre adaptation of the Ingmar Bergman film, THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY. Wilson debuted on the London stage in 2007 in the National Theatre presentation of Maxim Gorky's PHILLISTINES.

In the winter of 2014, Wilson made her directorial debut and starred in one of Eugene O'Neil's earliest works, THE EL. TRAIN, a series of three, short, one-act dramatic plays of destitution and despair: THE WEB, BEFORE BREAKFAST, and THE DREAMY KID.  Wilson directed THE DREAMY KID and starred in all three.

From 2007 – 2013, Wilson starred in various British Television films and miniseries, including MISS MARPLE: NEMESIS, BBC's CAPTURING MARY, SMALL ISLAND, THE DOCTOR WHO HEARS VOICES, THE PRISONER, and the Emmy®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning crime drama, LUTHER. Both LUTHER and SMALL ISLAND aired on PBS in the US. From 2010 to 2013, Wilson appeared in the UK psychological police drama LUTHER as recurring character Alice Morgan, a research scientist and highly intelligent sociopath. LUTHER has been nominated for eight Prime Time Emmy Award nominations.

In 2006, Wilson starred in the title role in her breakout performance in the BBC miniseries, JANE EYRE, receiving a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress, along with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film, and a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress. Wilson debuted on UK television in 2006 in the situation comedy, SUBURBAN SHOOTOUT.  

Wilson studied history at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2003. While at Nottingham, she was also involved in student drama at New Theatre (Nottingham). She later graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2005.

Wilson currently resides in New York.