Anna Friel was born in 1976 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. Her father, Desmond Friel, is a former French teacher who later established a web design company. He is an Irish Catholic who originated from County Donegal and was once a folk guitarist. Her brother, Michael, pursued a career in medicine and previously worked in advertising during his youth.
Friel attended Crompton House Church of England High School and later enrolled at Holy Cross College. Her passion for acting emerged early, and she began training with the Oldham Theatre Workshop, laying the foundation for her future career in performance.
Anna Friel began acting professionally at the age of 13, appearing in various British television programs. She achieved national recognition for her role as Beth Jordache in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. The show became groundbreaking in 1994 when Friel's character was part of the first lesbian kiss in a British soap opera, a moment that gained widespread media attention.
She made her stage debut in London's West End and has since been featured in several productions, including a notable performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her stage work reflects a strong commitment to theater, both in the UK and internationally.
Friel's film debut came with the 1998 film The Land Girls, directed by David Leland. Her film career expanded to include roles in Limitless, Land of the Lost, Timeline, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
On television, she is best known to American audiences for her role as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles in the critically acclaimed ABC series Pushing Daisies. The show received positive reviews and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2008.
Throughout her career, Anna Friel has earned several accolades, including a National Television Award, a Royal Television Society Award, and a Drama Desk Award. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bolton.
Friel has also appeared in music videos and been involved in advertising campaigns in both television and print media, reflecting her versatility across various forms of entertainment.
| Birth Date: | 12 Jul, 1976 |
| Age: | 43 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Stage actor Film actor |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Rochdale |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | English actress |
| Net Worth 2021: | 10 million |
