Hayley Elizabeth Atwell is a British and American actress. Born and raised in London, Atwell studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and made her stage debut in a 2005 production of Prometheus Bound. She subsequently appeared in multiple West End productions and on television, and was recognised for her breakthrough role as Lady Elizabeth Foster in The Duchess (2008), for which she was nominated for a British Independent Film Award. Her leading performance in the miniseries The Pillars of the Earth (2010) earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award.