Nora-Jane Noone (born 8 March 1984) is an Irish actress. In 2020, The Irish Times ranked her 47th on its list of the greatest Irish film actors of all time.[1] She made her screen debut in her breakthrough role film The Magdalene Sisters (2002), and has since been nominated three times at the IFTA Film & Drama Awards for her work in 3 films: The Descent (2005), Savage (2009) and Wildfire (2020).

Nora-Jane Noone
Born (1984-03-08) 8 March 1984 (age 40)
EducationNational University of Ireland, Galway
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
SpouseChris Marquette
Children1

Her other credits include Doomsday (2008), Ella Enchanted (2004), The Ipcress File (2022), and Hidden Assets (2023).

Early life and education

edit

Noone grew up in Upper Newcastle, Galway City.[2] She trained for two years at the Performing Arts School in Galway,[3] and is a proficient musician (piano to Grade 7 level) and dancer. Her previous acting role before starting her acting career, was in school and amateur productions and pantomime.[4]

She graduated in 2004 from NUI Galway with a degree in Science,[5] and then moved to London.[6]

Career

edit

Noone made her professional film debut playing Bernadette in the Peter Mullan written and directed film The Magdalene Sisters (2002).[4] The film won the Best Film prize in the 2002 Venice Film Festival, and was nominated as Best British Picture at the British Academy Film Awards. For her performance as Bernadette, Noone was nominated for British Newcomer of the Year at the 2004 London Film Critics' Circle Awards, alongside Mullan, who won best director.[7]

In 2005, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film for her role as Holly in The Descent (2005) at the 3rd Irish Film & Television Awards.[8] and was nominated again in 2010, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Film for her role in the film Savage (2009).[9]

In 2008, she co-starred in Doomsday, directed by Neil Marshall, Speed Dating and Ella Enchanted.[10] Other work includes the short films News for the Church written and directed by Andrew McCarthy and The Listener,[10] directed by Michael Chang. Noone also recorded Walking at Ringsend for BBC Radio 4. In 2008, Noone appeared in Insatiable.[10]

Noone has also appeared in The Descent Part 2, The Day of the Triffids and The Runaway and she has co-starred in episodes 1–6 in season one of Jack Taylor.[10] In 2013 she also began writing a film short.[11]

In 2020, Noone received a nomination Best Actress in a Leading Role Film at the 17th Irish Film & Television Awards for her performance as Lauren in Wildfire.[12] In 2022, she was involved in the relaunch of The Ipcress File, as Dr Karen Newton.[10]

In 2023, she returned to Ireland as Detective Sergeant Claire Wallace in the RTÉ crime series Hidden Assets.[3]

Personal life

edit

In 2023, she moved back to live in Galway whilst filming Hidden Assets.[3] She and her husband, fellow actor Chris Marquette, had a daughter in 2020.[13] This was one reason why Noone decided to return to Ireland.[3]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2002 The Magdalene Sisters Bernadette LFCC British Newcomer of the Year[7]
2004 Ella Enchanted Fairy No. 1
2004 News for the Church Girl Short film
2004 The Listener Woman Short film
2005 The Descent Holly Nom - IFTA Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film[8]
2007 Speed Dating Juliet Van Der Bexton
2008 Doomsday Read
2008 Beyond the Rave Jen Direct-to-video
2008 Insatiable Ellie
2009 Stranded Josie Short film
2009 The Bus Driver Short film
2009 Through the Night Lil Short film
2009 Legend of the Bog Saiorse Reilly
2009 Savage Michelle Nom - IFTA Best Actress in a Supporting Role Film[9]
2009 The Descent Part 2 Holly Cameo Appearance
2010 Small Change Karen Short film
2011 January Kathrine
2011 Mixed Marriage Nora Murray Theatre
2012 Wasted Short film
2012 Taking the Boat Maeve Short film
2013 Deception Aoife Stacey
2015 Brand New-U Nadia
2015 Brooklyn Sheila
2015 Estranged Kathrine
2017 12 Feet Deep Bree
2017 The Capture Alex
2019 Darlin' Jennifer
2020 Wildfire Lauren Nom - ITFA Best Actress in a Leading Role Film[12]
2020 I Hate the Man in My Basement Kyra

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Coronation Street Louise Hazel 9 episodes
2005 Holby City Daryl O'Connor 1 episode: "Bird on a Wire"
2006 Afterlife Tessa 1 episode: "Roadside Bouquets"
2009 The Day of the Triffids Lucy TV miniseries
2010 Jack Taylor Garda Kate Noonan 6 episodes
2011 The Runaway Caitlin 4 episodes
2011 Garrow's Law Catherine Quinn 1 episode: "Episode 3.2"
2011 Jack Taylor: The Pikemen Garda Kate Noonan TV movie
2011 Jack Taylor: The Magdalen Martyrs Garda Kate Noonan TV movie
2013 Atlantis Atalanta 1 episode: "Episode 1.10"
2013 Jack Taylor: The Dramatist Garda Kate Noonan TV movie
2013 Jack Taylor: Priest Garda Kate Noonan TV movie
2013 Jack Taylor: Shot Down Garda Kate Noonan TV movie
2022 The Ipcress File Dr Karen Newton 2 episodes
2023 Hidden Assets Detective Sergeant Claire Wallace 6 episodes

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2004 London Film Critics' Circle Award British Newcomer of the Year The Magdalene Sisters Nominated [7]
2005 Irish Film & Television Academy Award Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film The Descent Nominated [8]
2010 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Film Savage Nominated [9]
2021 Best Actress in a Leading Role Film Wildfire Nominated [12]

References

edit
  1. ^ Clarke, Donald; Brady, Tara (13 June 2020). "The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Always hiding in plain sight". The Irish Independent. 21 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Jamie McCarron (9 October 2023). "Hollywood star new RTE big name as world famous actress moves family to Galway". galwaybeo.ie.
  4. ^ a b Luma Muhtadie (1 August 2003). "Airing out Ireland's dirty laundry". theglobeandmail.com.
  5. ^ "NUI Galway website" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Always hiding in plain sight". Irish Independent. 21 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b c "London Critics Circle Film Awards 2004". famousfix.com. 11 February 2004.
  8. ^ a b c "Irish Film & Television Awards Winners 2005". ifta.ie. 2005. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  9. ^ a b c "Irish Film & Television Awards Winners 2010". ifta.ie. 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Nora-Jane Noone Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Nora-Jane Noone – Actress". GalwayIndependent.com. 16 January 2013.
  12. ^ a b c "IFTAs 2021: Normal People leads IFTAs nominations with 15". independent.
  13. ^ "Chris Marquette on Instagram: "My daughter is 2! Shes way smarter than I am already. Plus shes the boss. I wasn't happy about it at first but.. She offers good benefits, great healthcare, extended holidays, I get along with her mom so.. She's taught me deep lessons in patience, vulnerability, healing.. And all about a love that reaches far beyond life's horizon. All the nice cliches are true. And all the fears are not. Except for the one about being exhausted all the time. That shits the realest #parenthood #toddlerlife"".
edit