Early Life and Education

Olivia Cooke was born and raised in Oldham, a former textile-manufacturing town in Greater Manchester, North West England. She comes from a non-acting background. Her father, John Cooke, is a retired police officer, and her mother worked as a sales representative to support the family.

Cooke attended Royton and Crompton Secondary School and later studied drama at Oldham Sixth Form College. She left before completing her A-levels after being cast in the BBC miniseries Blackout.

Acting Career

Bates Motel and Early Roles

At the age of 14, Olivia Cooke signed with a local talent agent in Manchester, which led to appearances in several commercials. In 2012, she featured in a promotional video for One Direction titled "Fall Term," portraying a student receiving a piggyback ride from Harry Styles. During her audition, she impressed producers by performing a gymnastics split.

Cooke’s breakout role came when she was cast as Emma Decody in Bates Motel, a prequel series to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Her portrayal of Emma—a young woman living with cystic fibrosis—gained critical recognition and increased her visibility in the industry.

Vanity Fair and Continued Success

In 2018, Cooke took on the lead role of Becky Sharp in the ITV and Amazon Prime Video miniseries adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel, Vanity Fair. Her performance was praised for its wit and depth, solidifying her status as a versatile actress.

Philanthropy and Public Engagement

Olivia Cooke has shown her dedication to philanthropy through her support of various charitable causes. In 2014, she participated in a Bulgari campaign to raise funds for Save the Children, demonstrating a commitment to using her public platform for positive impact.