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. 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).
Her other credits include Doomsday (2008), Ella Enchanted (2004), The Ipcress File (2022), and Hidden Assets (2023).
Early life and education Noone grew up in Upper Newcastle, Galway City. She trained for two years at the Performing Arts School in Galway, 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.
She graduated in 2004 from NUI Galway with a degree in Science, and then moved to London.
Career Noone made her professional film debut playing Bernadette in the Peter Mullan written and directed film The Magdalene Sisters (2002). 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 and best film of the year.London Film Critics' Circle Awards 2004
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. and was nominated again in 2010, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Film for her role in the film Savage (2009).
In 2008, she co-starred in Doomsday, directed by Neil Marshall, Speed Dating and Ella Enchanted. Other work includes the short films News for the Church written and directed by Andrew McCarthy and The Listener, directed by Michael Chang. Noone also recorded Walking at Ringsend for BBC Radio 4. In 2008, Noone appeared in Insatiable.
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. In 2013 she also began writing a film short.
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. In 2022, she was involved in the relaunch of The Ipcress File, as Dr Karen Newton.
In 2023, she returned to Ireland as Detective Sergeant Claire Wallace in the RTÉ crime series Hidden Assets.
Personal life In 2023, she moved back to live in Galway whilst filming Hidden Assets. She and her husband, fellow actor Chris Marquette, had a daughter in 2020. This was one reason that Noone decided to return to Ireland.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2002The Magdalene SistersBernadetteLFCC British Newcomer of the Year2004Ella EnchantedFairy No. 12004News for the ChurchGirlShort film2004The ListenerWomanShort film2005The DescentHolly Nom - IFTA Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film2007Speed DatingJuliet Van Der Bexton2008DoomsdayRead2008Beyond the RaveJenDirect-to-video2008InsatiableEllie2009StrandedJosieShort film2009The Bus DriverShort film2009Through the NightLilShort film2009Legend of the BogSaiorse Reilly2009SavageMichelleNom - IFTA Best Actress in a Supporting Role Film2009The Descent Part 2HollyCameo Appearance 2010Small ChangeKarenShort film2011JanuaryKathrine2011Mixed MarriageNora MurrayTheatre2012WastedShort film2012Taking the BoatMaeveShort film2013DeceptionAoife Stacey2015Brand New-UNadia2015BrooklynSheila2015EstrangedKathrine201712 Feet DeepBree2017The CaptureAlex2019Darlin''' |Jennifer
|2020 |I Am Normal|Keira |Short film |- |2020 |Wildfire|Lauren |Nom - ITFA Best Actress in a Leading Role Film |- |2020 |I Hate the Man in My Basement|Kyra
|2024 |Bring Them Down''Caroline
Television Year Title Role Notes2005Coronation StreetLouise Hazel9 episodes2005Holby CityDaryl O'Connor1 episode: "Bird on a Wire"2006AfterlifeTessa1 episode: "Roadside Bouquets"2009The Day of the TriffidsLucyTV miniseries2010Jack TaylorGarda Kate Noonan6 episodes2011The RunawayCaitlin4 episodes2011Garrow's LawCatherine Quinn1 episode: "Episode 3.2"2011Jack Taylor: The PikemenGarda Kate NoonanTV movie2011Jack Taylor: The Magdalen MartyrsGarda Kate NoonanTV movie2013AtlantisAtalanta1 episode: "Episode 1.10"2013Jack Taylor: The DramatistGarda Kate NoonanTV movie2013Jack Taylor: PriestGarda Kate NoonanTV movie2013Jack Taylor: Shot DownGarda Kate NoonanTV movie2022The Ipcress FileDr Karen Newton2 episodes2023Hidden AssetsDetective Sergeant Claire Wallace12 episodes
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2004London Film Critics' Circle AwardBritish/IrishNewcomer of the YearThe Magdalene Sisters2005Irish Film & Television Academy AwardBest Supporting Actress in a Feature FilmThe Descent2010Best Actress in a Supporting Role FilmSavage2021Best Actress in a Leading Role FilmWildfire
References
External links
Nora-Jane Noone at Spotlight