She has received numerous accolades throughout her career spanning more than four decades, including two Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Her first husband was actor and director Kenneth Branagh, whom she met in 1987 while filming the television series Fortunes of War,
While filming Sense and Sensibility in 1995, she began a relationship with her co-star Greg Wise, then eventually married and have a daughter together.
Known for her roles in NANNY MCPHEE, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, LOVE ACTUALLY, HOWARDS END, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, HARRY POTTER
In 2018, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to drama.