From a young age, she displayed a strong interest in the performing arts. At school, she was actively involved in drama classes and frequently participated in school plays and assemblies. Her passion for acting sometimes led her to skip regular classes in pursuit of auditions. She attended St Paul’s Primary School before moving on to Blatchington Mill School and the K-Bis Theatre School in Hove, where she continued to develop her acting skills.

Breakthrough Role in "The Golden Compass"

Richards’ breakthrough came when she was cast as Lyra Belacqua in the 2007 fantasy film The Golden Compass, an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed novel from the His Dark Materials trilogy. Richards had been a fan of the books from a young age—the stories were read to her by her mother, and after seeing the stage adaptation at the National Theatre, she was inspired to play Lyra herself.

Her audition left a lasting impression. Author Philip Pullman commented that upon seeing her screen test, he felt the search for Lyra was over. Director Chris Weitz echoed this sentiment, stating that Richards made the casting decision easy. To prepare for the role, she received private tutoring from two individual tutors on set to keep up with her education.

Film and Television Career

Following The Golden Compass, Richards went on to star in several other projects. She played Maria Merryweather in The Secret of Moonacre and took on the role of April in Dustbin Baby, a BBC television film that aired in December 2008—not February 2009 as sometimes incorrectly stated. In Dustbin Baby, Richards portrayed a troubled teenager in search of her birth mother, further establishing her versatility as a young actress.

Role in "Skins" and Other Performances

Richards later joined the cast of the E4 teen drama Skins, where she played Franky Fitzgerald in series five and six. Franky, a clever and isolated teenager, was part of the third generation of characters introduced in the series. During her audition, Richards initially aimed for the role of Liv Malone but ultimately chose to portray Franky, a decision that earned her widespread recognition. She was the first cast member of the third generation to be revealed in 2010.

In addition to mainstream roles, Richards has appeared in independent films. She portrayed Eloise, the daughter of an Anglican priest, in the British indie feature Five Days of August, set in Cornwall and Bristol. She also starred in The Quiet Hour, a science fiction thriller that showcased her ability to handle more complex and intense narratives.