Emily Barclay

Emily Barclay is a British film, television and theater actress. Barclay is also the recipient of an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award (AACTA). These awards are only presented to artists such as actors, cinematographers, writers, and producers excelling in the Australian glamor industry. An AACTA Award is considered to be the Australian version of the Oscars or the British Academy Awards. Born in the city of Plymouth, Emily’s father was a general practitioner and her mother was a landscape designer. On relocating to Auckland in New Zealand, Barclay pursued her education at an all-girl high school, where she also took drama lessons. Barclay realized her passion for the theater when she featured in a school production of “Hamlet,” which made her want to become an actress. Barclay appointed an agent when she was only thirteen years old, to help her pocket roles in television shows and films. Barclay also worked at a video store so that she could meet her expenses. Later on,

Barclay also pursued a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at the University of Auckland. 1998 saw the inception of Barclay’s television career when she featured as Kelly McKinley in the medical drama “Shortland Street.” In the following year, Barclay made an appearance as Alison Bradley in “A Twist in the Tale.” From 2001 up to 2005, Barclay featured in television shows such as Mercy Peak, Spin Doctors and Kidnapped. The year 2006 saw Emily cast as Evelyn Hutchinson in “The Silence,” a role for which she pocketed a Logie Award nomination and a nomination for Australian Film Institute Award for the Best Supporting Actress.

Later on, Barclay has also featured in television shows such as Lowdown, Glitch and “Please Like Me.” Barclay started her film career with the role of Amy Burchall in “No One Can Hear You,” for which she was nominated for a Nokia New Zealand Film Award for the Best Juvenile Performer. 2005 saw her pocket a New Zealand Screen Award for the Best Actress and a British Independent Film Award for the Best Newcomer, for the movie “In My Father’s Den.” The year of 2004 and 2005 featured Barclay in Deceit and Cockle, respectively. In 2006, Barclay was cast in “Suburban Mayhem,” for which she was presented with an Australian Film Award, and an Inside Film Award, for the best Actress. 2009 saw Barclay in “Piece of My Heart” and “Prime Mover.” Besides these, Barclay has also featured in movies such as Lou, Love Birds, Weekender, and “The Light Between Oceans.” Barclay has also been cast in various productions and stage plays such as That Face, The Seagull, The Importance of Being Earnest, This is Our Youth, Strange Interlude, Three Sisters, and Hamlet.

Barclay is also a known animal rights activist and is involved with the works of the Save Animals from Exploitation Group. The year of 2006 also saw Barclay appointed as the ambassador of “Voiceless, the Animal Protection Institute.” Besides, Barclay is a staunch vegan diet follower.