Anna Francolini

Acting

Anna Francolini

Born 1973-10-30 · Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK

Anna Francolini (born 30 October 1973) is an English actress. Francolini was born in Chertsey, Surrey, attended Bristol Grammar School and studied theatre at the University of Warwick. She also trained as a member of the National Youth Theatre. After appearances in Godspell and Oliver during the early part of her career, Francolini appeared in two acclaimed musical productions at the Donmar Warehouse – Company (1995) and Merrily We Roll Along (2000), both by Stephen Sondheim. She also played the Baker's Wife in the Royal Opera House production of Sondheim's Into the Woods in 2007. She won the 2009 TMA Award for Best Performance in a Play with her portrayal of Jean Brodie in Muriel Spark's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which was staged at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton. During the period from December 1997 to December 2004 Anna Francolini was a mainstay of London's tiny but influential Bridewell Theatre during the latter part of its decade as a professional venue. In December 1997 to January 1998 she played lead role Helen in the historic fully staged premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night. This was to be followed in 1999 by Floyd Collins and later on during 2000-1 Anna appeared in revue shows created from the work of Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel and John La Chiusa, one of which, The Cutting Edge transferred to the Donmar Warehouse in 2002. Further Bridewell Theatre work included There's Always A Woman (2002); The Ballard of Little Jo (2003) and an appearance at the venue's 10th Anniversary Farewell Concert on 12 December 2004. Following the demise of the Bridewell Theatre as a professional venue, Anna's other appearances included Caroline, or Change at the National Theatre (2006), Three Sisters on Hope Street at the Liverpool Everyman (2008) and Wolves at the Window at the Arcola Theatre during the same year, which gave her a New York debut at 59E59 in 2009. In 2010, she played the role of Maria Callas in Martin Sherman's play Onassis at the Novello Theatre. During the following year, Anna played the role of Beatrice in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge at Manchester's Royal Exchange, a venue to which she was to return in 2014 as Enid in That Day We Sang. 2012 saw her take the lead role in Victor/Victoria at Southwark Playhouse and in February 2015 she made an appearance in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory. July 2015, she was part of the premiere cast of Damon Albarn's new musical Wonder.land at the Manchester International Festival which transferred to the National Theatre later during the same year. 25 October 2015 saw Anna make an appearance in Stephen Sondheim's 85th Birthday Tribute Hey Old Friends. In 2016 she appeared as a female Captain Hook at the National Theatre in Peter Pan. From March to October 2018 she appeared in Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre. In April 2023 she appeared in Tom Fool at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre and in May-June 2024 she played Olivia in Twelfth Night at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Her screen credits include the movies Topsy-Turvy and Solo: A Star Wars Story and the TV series Rome, New Tricks and Vera. In 2019, she voiced Gina on Thomas & Friends in the US/UK versions.

Acting credits

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny poster
6.5

Finding himself in a new era, and approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

2023

Solo: A Star Wars Story poster
6.6

Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

2018

The Amateur poster
6.9

After his life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a brilliant but introverted CIA decoder takes matters into his own hands when his supervisors refuse to take action.

The Amateur

2025

Emma. poster
7.0

In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.

Emma.

2020

Gun Shy poster
4.6

A mega-platinum, aging rock star's supermodel wife is abducted by pirates while vacationing in Chile.

Gun Shy

2017

Topsy-Turvy poster
6.6

For nearly a decade, Gilbert and Sullivan’s collaborations have delighted the English people. But in 1884, as a London heat wave cuts into the theater trade, their latest work, "Princess Ida", receives lukewarm press. In an effort to reconcile their creative differences and drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, they went on to create the hit opera "The Mikado", one of the duo's greatest successes.

Topsy-Turvy

1999

The Kill Team poster
6.4

When Andrew Briggman — a young soldier in the US Army during the invasion of Afghanistan — witnesses the murderous behavior of fellow soldiers, under the direction of a malevolent Sergeant, he faces a moral dilemma. His increasingly-violent platoon becomes suspicious that someone in their ranks has turned on them, and Andrew begins to fear for his safety. A fictionalized dramatization based on a true story.

The Kill Team

2019

Thomas & Friends: Animal Adventures poster
NR

When Thomas is asked to help at the animal park, he soon realises there's more to the job than he first thought. Nia welcomes an unfriendly elephant to Sodor, and Thomas tries to get back on track after a run of bad luck. Yong Bao tells Thomas how he came to have his magnificent tiger emblem, and Percy sees his chance to shine at the little engines' Railway Show. Rebecca tries to be more like Gordon, but it doesn't go well for Gordon! Cleo takes to the rails to race Thomas but discovers why she's designed to stick to the roads. And, when other engines help Emily out of a tricky situation, she remembers just how lucky she is to be surrounded by best friends.

Thomas & Friends: Animal Adventures

2021

Thomas & Friends: Digs & Discoveries poster
4.8

Thomas the Tank Engine has traveled a lot, but is now going to Italy for the first time! There he meets the nice and smart Gina, an expert in everything that is Italian. Thomas believes he is very smart and wants to prove to Gina that he does not need her help, but in reality he is astonished by everything he sees... Because why is that tower so crooked? And why do the buildings look so unfinished? And what about the mysterious story of the Lost Locomotive? When Thomas gets lost in an old mine because of his recklessness, he soon finds out that learning new things - just like making new friends - takes time!

Thomas & Friends: Digs & Discoveries

2019

The Christmas Candle poster
5.9

Deep in the heart of the English countryside lies the enchanting village of Gladbury. Legend has it every 25 years an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend may come to an end.

The Christmas Candle

2013

National Theatre at Home: London Road poster
NR

Autumn, 2006. The everyday life of the Suffolk town of Ipswich is shattered by the discovery of the bodies of five women. The occupant of No. 79 London Road is arrested, charged and finally convicted of the murders. Caught in the headlines and the invasion of their quiet road, the community grapples with what it means to be at the epicentre of the tragedy. Using their own words set to an innovative musical score, London Road is a moving story of ordinary people coming together during an extraordinary time. Director Rufus Norris, writer Alecky Blythe, and composer Adam Cork reunite for this highly anticipated return of the remarkable, award-winning verbatim musical.

National Theatre at Home: London Road

2026

The Dark Room poster
NR

Augustus Pike woke up. He was remembering a stupid remark he had made at a party in 2005. Augustus frequently encountered crippling bouts of latent embarrassment. Then one day he discovered a way to right the wrongs of his past.

The Dark Room

Sweet Sue poster
5.1

Sue is back on the dating scene. She meets a mysterious biker called Ron at her brother's funeral and sparks fly. But when Ron introduces her to her social media-influence son, Anthony, Sue finds herself in an increasingly surreal battle of wills with this ambitious teenager who, despite showing no signs of talent, is convinced his dance troupe 'Electric Destiny' is tipped for stardom. Will she find the purpose and imagination to bring this little unconventional family together for a chance of happiness?

Sweet Sue

2023

Company poster
7.1

Set in modern upper-crust Manhattan, an exploration of love and commitment as seen through the eyes of a charming perpetual bachelor questioning his single state and his enthusiastically married, slightly envious friends.

Company

1996

National Theatre Live: wonder.land poster
10.0

Aly seeks solace in a bizarre online virtual world called Wonder.land, where she becomes Alice, and meets strangely familiar characters. Musical inspired by the iconic story books by Lewis Carroll. This coming-of-age adventure explores the blurred boundaries between our online and offline lives. Combining live theatre and digital technology in dazzling new ways, Wonder.land is brought to life on stage by an extraordinary creative team.

National Theatre Live: wonder.land

2017

National Theatre Live: Peter Pan poster
NR

When Peter Pan, leader of the Lost Boys, loses his shadow, headstrong Wendy helps him to reattach it. In return, she is invited to Neverland, where Tinker Bell the Fairy, Tiger Lily and the vengeful Captain Hook await. A riot of magic, music and make-believe ensues.

National Theatre Live: Peter Pan

2017

No artwork available
NR

Two young Americans, low level thieves, go to the UK and get stuck in a barn from which there is no escape. Ever.

The Barn

2004