British movie icon who won a BAFTA for gritty BBC drama series after starring in a string of rom-coms commands attention at West End opening of her new play - but can you guess who it is?
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A British movie icon commanded attention at a party for her new West End play on Thursday, 25 years after she starred in one of the country's most beloved rom-coms.
The actress was joined by the likes of Deborah Findlay, Mark Strong, Sonia Friedman and Romola Garai for the photocall at Sophie's Soho to promote the theatre adaptation which opened last month.
Her breakthrough came in Richard Curtis's 1999 classic Notting Hill which saw her play Bella, one of the best friends of main character William Thacker (Hugh Grant) who attempts in vain to organise dates for him so he can move on from Hollywood actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts).
Hailing from Peterlee, County Durham, the star was the daughter of a coal miner which no doubt informed her role in hit BBC drama Our Friends In The North about the mining industry in the north east.
The performer, now 60, won a BAFTA for Best Actress thanks to her fine turn in the popular series and she is showing no signs of stopping as she hits Theatreland for an exciting new project.
Can you guess who this star of TV and film is?
A British movie icon commanded attention at a party for her new West End play on Thursday, 25 years after she starred in one of the country's most beloved rom-coms - can you guess who it is?
It is none other than actress Gina McKee, Hugh Grant's pal in Notting Hill, who cut a laid-back figure as she posed for the cameras at a promotional party for The Years
It is none other than actress Gina McKee.
Hugh's pal in Notting Hill cut a laid-back figure as she posed for the cameras at a promotional party for new play The Years on Thursday.
The star donned a wine-coloured trench coat over a black top and black trousers, adding a pair of brown shoes to the look.
She accessorised with a statement silver brooch and a pair of dazzling silver earrings.
The Years sees Eline Arbo adapt Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux's much-acclaimed play following sold out runs at the Almeida Theatre and Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.
Gina got into acting after spotting a poster for a new youth drama club in a shoe shop window.
While she never intended to take her hobby too seriously, her undoubted talent earned her a role in the Tyne Tees children's show Quest Of Eagles.
She shunned university and art colleges in favour of drama school but she was rejected by a host of institutions including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art and the Central School Of Speech And Drama.
A breakthrough came in Richard Curtis's 1999 classic Notting Hill which saw her play Bella, one of the best friends of Max (Tim McInnerny, right) and main character William Thacker (played by Hugh Grant)
She was joined by the likes of Anjli Mohindra, Gina McKee, Deborah Findlay, Sonia Friedman, Eline Arbo, Harmony Rose-Bremner and Romola Garai (L-R) and Mark Strong (not pictured)
Gina (pictured, in The Years) got into acting after spotting a poster for a new youth drama club in a shoe shop window
After she had plied her trade on the box for a decade, she earned a BAFTA for her performance as Mary (right) in the BBC's Our Friends In The North
Gina has been married to husband Kez Cary since 1989 (pictured: the couple in 1997)
Gina turned to TV and had a few background roles including a part on The Lenny Henry Show before making her movie bow in 1988 with a cameo in The Lair Of The White Worm.
After plying her trade on the box for a decade, she earned a BAFTA for her performance as Mary in the BBC's Our Friends In The North.
She was also recognised with Best Actress gongs at the Royal Television Society Awards and the Broadcasting Press Guild Award.
Keen viewers of Brass Eye in the late 1990s might have spotted Gina making a shock appearance on the satirical programme next to Chris Morris.
After her role in the iconic Notting Hill, the British actress went on to impress in The Forsyte Saga in 2002 as well as The Borgias in 2011 and more recently Bodyguard in 2018..
Gina has also starred in hit films Phantom Thread (2017) and My Policeman three years ago.
The Years is not her first foray onto the stage, with the star performing in Harold Pinter's The Lover and The Collection, as well as Checkhov's Ivanov and a revival of King Lear starring Derek Jacobi, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award.
Gina has been married to husband Kez Cary since 1989.
