Olivia Williams is best known for portraying Queen Camilla on The Crown but that’s not her only notable role.
Williams made her acting debut in the ‘90s as a guest star on the British crime drama Van der Valk in 1992. Four years later, she snagged her first major role in the TV movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, where she played Jane Fairfax.
In 1997, Williams made her film debut in The Postman which also starred Kevin Costner. One year later, Williams found herself working with Bill Murray in Rushmore.
“I went from galloping horses with Kevin Costner — doing my own stunts, thank you very much — to hanging out eating carrots with Bill Murray,” the actress recalled of her early days in a November 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “The film that Sofia Coppola made, Lost in Translation, that was literally my experience with Bill Murray.”
Williams went on to expand her resumé to include more notable projects before joining The Crown for its final two seasons. Her portrayal of the royal earned her a SAG Award nomination in 2023 and 2024.
Keep scrolling to see all of Williams’ most recognizable TV and film roles:
‘The Postman’
In the neo-Western film, she played Abby who wants Costner’s character to impregnate her after struggling to have a child with her husband. The film was a box-office flop.
‘Rushmore’
Shortly after making her film debut, Williams was cast as the lead in the 1998 Wes Anderson movie. In Rushmore, Williams starred as elementary school teacher Rosemary Cross who has a friendship with wealthy industrialist Herman Blume (Murray). The independent comedy was heralded by critics.
‘The Sixth Sense’
Williams played the wife of Bruce Willis’ character in the iconic M. Night Shyamalan thriller in 1999. Not only was The Sixth Sense a blockbuster success, but it also received six Academy Awards nominations.
‘The Heart of Me’
Williams starred in the period piece alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Paul Bettany. Carter and Williams played sisters in the 2002 film, which follows the consequences after Carter’s character has an affair with Williams’ husband. Williams earned a British Independent Film Award for her performance.
‘Dollhouse’
Aside from movies, Williams also starred in Joss Whedon’s sci-fi series Dollhouse alongside Eliza Dushku. The show ran for two seasons from 2009 to 2010.
‘The Ghost Writer’
Williams earned critical acclaim for her role as Ruth Lang in the 2010 Roman Polanski project. She won multiple accolades including a National Society of Film Critics Award and London Critics Circle Film Award.
‘The Crown’
In 2021, Williams joined the cast of the hit Netflix series for its final two seasons as Camilla Parker Bowles.
‘Dune: Prophecy’
After her success on The Crown, Williams was cast in the Dune prequel series where she stars as Tula Harkonnen. The series premiered in November 2024 and was renewed for a second season the following month.
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