Over the past decade, Olivia Cooke has risen from a notable up-and-comer in the indie film scene to a bona fide star.
Blasting off from small beginnings and recently landing roles in several blockbuster films and television series, Olivia Cooke has proven to be more than a one-trick pony.
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While her charming and humble personality makes her a relatable star across all of her performances, it’s clear that Olivia Cooke has just as much skill as her more experienced peers.
Olivia Cooke stuns in a rich crimson velvet gown with a dramatic train and ruffled neckline, paired with black open-toe heels for added elegance on the red carpet (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Olivia Cooke has been rapidly gaining fans and followers in recent years thanks to her stunning appearances in major projects like HBO’s House of the Dragon. However, her excellence on screen has been apparent since the very start.
As this rising star sits on the cusp of A-list status, let’s look at Olivia Cooke’s road to stardom and her most beloved roles.
From Oldham to Hollywood: Olivia’s Early Life
Olivia Cooke was born in the sizable English town of Oldham, Greater Manchester, on December 27, 1993.
For most of her life, she lived with her mother and her sister, as her parents got divorced in her early childhood. However, Cooke found a creative outlet in ballet and acting at eight while attending a local drama club at Oldham Theatre Workshop.
Olivia Cooke is easily recognizable by her expressive brown eyes, soft features, and signature auburn hair that enhances her classic, radiant look (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
There, she caught the attention of casting director Beverley Keogh, who helped her establish her career with early roles. Although she attended elementary school and later studied drama at Oldham Sixth Form College, she eventually dropped out to pursue her acting career.
With Beverley Keogh’s help, Cooke started her career by appearing in a few small commercial projects, including a music video for the band One Direction.
In 2012, she landed roles in several BBC mini-series, including the drama Blackout and a supernatural thriller, The Secret of Crickley Hall.
Then, in 2013, Cooke nabbed her first significant television role on the psychological horror drama television series, Bates Motel, and her career exploded from there.
Olivia Cooke exudes elegance in a sleek black satin gown adorned with crystal star embellishments, paired with a statement Omega wristwatch for a refined finish (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
After her feature film debut in the 2014 film The Quiet Ones, Olivia Cooke gained more traction each year, tackling bigger roles in more expensive productions. Four years later, she had her mainstream breakthrough after starring in the Steven Spielberg sci-fi film, Ready Player One.
Nowadays, Olivia Cooke lives in London and stays mostly under the radar. Although unconfirmed, she seems to enjoy a relationship with the Welsh actor Jacob Ifan.
Olivia Cooke channels classic Hollywood glamour in a strapless black velvet gown, bold red lipstick, and sparkling emerald-accented earrings (Credit: Dutch Press Photo / Cover Images)
Before discussing her most critically acclaimed performances, it’s worth noting that Olivia Cooke is 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm) tall and typically wears a US shoe size 7.5.
Olivia Cooke went strapless in a tinsel-detailed Stella McCartney Fall 2024 gown and classic black pumps at the London premiere of House of the Dragon Season Two, finishing the look with a bold diamond choker and soft updo (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages)
While she’s of average height, she often wears high heels on the red carpet to elongate her silhouette and elevate her presence, literally and stylistically.
Olivia Cooke’s Best Performances
Below, we count down Olivia Cooke’s five most critically acclaimed performances, starting with a standout indie hit and ending with the role that truly solidified her place in Hollywood.
5. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: A Breakout Role That Showcased Olivia’s Emotional Range
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a coming-of-age comedy and drama directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. It is based on the novel by Jesse Andrews.
Fusing dark humor with tear-jerking emotion, the film follows high school student Greg (Thomas Mann), who finds an unlikely friendship with his terminally ill classmate, Rachel.
Olivia Cooke as Rachel Kushner, Thomas Mann as Greg Gaines, and RJ Cyler as Earl Jackson in the 2015 American comedy-drama film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
At 21 years old, Olivia Cooke stunned audiences with an incredibly emotional turn as Rachel, who originally befriends Greg at her mother’s request. Cooke’s empathetic yet feisty attitude was a perfect fit for the character, and her fantastic performance helped establish her reputation as a powerhouse actress early in her career.
4. Thoroughbreds: Olivia Channels Dark Glamour in This Twisted Teen Thriller
Written and directed by Cory Finley, Thoroughbreds is a thriller starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke. The film follows two teenagers who form a sinister friendship with deadly consequences.
In the film, popular high schooler Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) rekindles an old friendship with her classmate Amanda (Olivia Cooke), and they plan to murder Lily’s father.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Lily and Olivia Cooke as Amanda in the 2017 American dark comedy thriller film Thoroughbreds (Credit: Focus Features)
Cooke’s history with traditional theater came in handy, as Thoroughbreds was initially written as a stage play, emphasizing grounded performances and palpable chemistry.
Unsurprisingly, the film was a hit with critics, and both Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy received several acting award nominations for their hard work.
3. Bates Motel: The Role That Made Olivia a Household Name in TV Horror
As a prequel story to the iconic 1960 horror film Psycho, Bates Motel tells how the psychopath Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) established his disturbing origins in the eponymous motel.
Aided by his equally off-kilter mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), Norman’s mental health quickly takes a nosedive as he embraces his violent urges.
Olivia Cooke as Emma Decody in Bates Motel, wearing a mustard yellow coat and multicolored knit scarf — a soft look that contrasts with the series’ dark psychological themes (Credit: A&E)
Appearing across the show’s five seasons, Olivia Cooke plays the role of Emma Decody, a shy and intelligent teenager with cystic fibrosis who becomes attracted to Norman after an encounter at school.
Cooke’s performance is even more admirable in hindsight, as the actress has since stated that she was going through severe distress during production due to overworking herself in her late teens.
2. House of the Dragon: Regal Drama and Red Carpet Elegance Collide
Co-created by author George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon is a prequel series to HBO’s mega-popular drama, Game of Thrones.
Set approximately 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the show details the rule of House Targaryen and the eventual war that removed them from the throne.
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, wearing a regal emerald gown with gold embellishments and period jewelry that reflect her character’s rising political influence (Credit: HBO)
Continuing to demonstrate excellence in her most significant role to date, Olivia Cooke plays Alicent Hightower, the lifelong friend of the royal Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy).
Despite the increased fame that House of the Dragon has afforded her, the 29-year-old actress has chosen to avoid social media for the most part, stating that the majority of online discourse is vapid and combative.
1. Sound of Metal: A Raw, Gritty Performance That Cemented Her Status as a Star
Directed and co-written by Darius Marder, Sound of Metal is a drama film about Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a heavy metal drummer who begins to lose hearing.
Struggling with drug addiction, Ruben must find a balance between his health and his creative outlet of performing live.
Olivia Cooke as Lou in Sound of Metal (2019), delivering a raw performance as a punk-metal vocalist — complete with smudged eyeliner, layered necklaces, and fierce emotional energy on stage (Credit: Amazon Studios)
Teeing up yet another powerful performance, Olivia Cooke plays Lou, Ruben’s compassionate girlfriend and their band’s lead vocalist.
Once again calling back to her theatrical past, Cooke even chose to “sing” the metal songs herself, which caused her to lose her voice just a few days into production.
The dedication was worth it, though, as the role even garnered her multiple Best Supporting Actress award nominations.
Olivia Cooke’s Most Stylish Red Carpet Moments
From fantasy epics to indie darlings, Olivia Cooke brings her signature elegance to every premiere. Explore her most memorable fashion statements:
1. Red Velvet Glamour at the ‘House of the Dragon’ London Premiere
- Event: ‘House of the Dragon’ Sky Group Premiere, London
- Outfit: Olivia dazzled in a red velvet John Galliano gown, complemented by Garrard jewelry.
- Footwear: She completed the look with classic black pumps, adding a touch of sophistication.
- Read more: How Olivia Cooke Was Cast as Lady Alicent Hightower
Olivia Cooke brought fantasy flair to the House of the Dragon premiere in a bold blue Loewe Fall 2024 gown with side cutouts and a dramatic belt, styled by Jamie Mizrahi (Credit: Udo Salters / INSTARimages)
2. Crystal-Embellished Sandals at the ‘Ready Player One’ Premiere
- Event: ‘Ready Player One’ Premiere, Hollywood
- Outfit: She wore a red Calvin Klein 205W39NYC lightweight nylon dress, featuring asymmetrical sleeves.
- Footwear: Olivia’s feet sparkled in mismatched crystal-embellished ‘Camelle’ sandals by Calvin Klein 205W39NYC.
- See more: Best Celebrity Feet in Camelle Sandals by Calvin Klein 205W39NYC
These moments highlight Olivia Cooke’s impeccable fashion sense, making her a true style icon on the red carpet.