Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Carey Mulligan

Discover the career path of Carey Mulligan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Carey Mulligan is a highly acclaimed British actress recognized for her versatile performances across film and theatre. She has received numerous awards, including a British Academy Film Award, and has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. In recognition of her contributions to the dramatic arts, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2025.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1939: Events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo

In 2021, Carey Mulligan starred in The Dig, a film about the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo, co-starring Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.

2004: Professional Acting Debut

In 2004, Carey Mulligan made her professional acting debut on stage in Kevin Elyot's play Forty Winks at the Royal Court Theatre.

2004: Stage Debut in Forty Winks

In 2004, Carey Mulligan made her stage debut in the play Forty Winks at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

2005: Film Debut in Pride & Prejudice and Role in Bleak House

In 2005, Carey Mulligan made her film debut in Pride & Prejudice and won the role of Ada Clare in Bleak House.

2005: Film Debut in Pride & Prejudice

In 2005, Carey Mulligan made her film debut with a supporting role in Joe Wright's romantic drama Pride & Prejudice.

2007: Projects in 2007

Among Carey Mulligan's 2007 projects were My Boy Jack, Northanger Abbey, and the Doctor Who episode "Blink". She also appeared in a stage revival of The Seagull.

2007: Television Roles and Stage Revival

In 2007, Mulligan appeared in the television film Northanger Abbey, guest-starred in the Doctor Who episode "Blink", and appeared in a stage revival of The Seagull.

2008: Broadway performance in The Seagull

In 2008 Carey Mulligan had her debut Broadway performance in The Seagull, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

2009: Leading Role in An Education

In 2009, Carey Mulligan was cast in her first leading role as Jenny in the film An Education, receiving rave reviews and nominations for several awards including an Academy Award.

2010: Audition for The Great Gatsby

Carey Mulligan auditioned for the role of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby in late 2010.

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2010: Roles in Never Let Me Go

In 2010, Carey Mulligan appeared in Never Let Me Go.

2010: Participation in Safe Project and donation to Curiosity Shop

In 2010, Carey Mulligan participated in the Safe Project, a series raising awareness of sex trafficking, and donated the Vionnet gown she wore at the 2010 BAFTAs to the Curiosity Shop to raise money for charity.

2010: Roles in Never Let Me Go and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

In 2010, Carey Mulligan starred in Never Let Me Go and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. She also provided vocals for the song "Write About Love" by Belle & Sebastian.

July 2011: Performance in Through a Glass, Darkly

From May 13 – July 3, 2011, Carey Mulligan starred in the off-Broadway play adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's Through a Glass, Darkly and received glowing praise from reviewers.

2011: Roles in Drive and Shame

In 2011, Carey Mulligan co-starred in two critically acclaimed films: Drive and Shame. Drive debuted at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and Shame debuted at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.

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2012: Ambassador for Alzheimer's Society and Marriage to Marcus Mumford

In 2012, Carey Mulligan became an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and married Marcus Mumford.

2012: Alzheimer's Society Ambassador

In 2012, Carey Mulligan became the ambassador of the Alzheimer's Society, aiming to raise awareness and research funding for Alzheimers and dementia. She also participated in the 2012 Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk.

May 2013: Release of The Great Gatsby

In May 2013, The Great Gatsby, starring Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, was released.

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2013: Alzheimer's Society runner

In 2013, Carey Mulligan was one of the sponsored Alzheimer's Society runners in the Nike Run to the Beat half-marathon in London, supporting Alzheimer's awareness.

2013: Roles in Inside Llewyn Davis and The Great Gatsby

In 2013, Mulligan starred in Inside Llewyn Davis and The Great Gatsby.

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2014: Ambassador for War Child

In 2014, Carey Mulligan became an ambassador for War Child.

2014: War Child Ambassador

In 2014, Carey Mulligan became an ambassador for the charity War Child and visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in this role, supporting the organization's efforts.

2014: Starring in Skylight

In 2014, Carey Mulligan starred in the London revival of the David Hare play Skylight at Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End, which won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Revival of the Year.

April 2015: Broadway Transfer of Skylight

In April 2015, the London production of Skylight, starring Carey Mulligan, transferred to Broadway at the John Golden Theatre.

2015: Roles in Far from the Madding Crowd, Suffragette and Skylight

In 2015, Carey Mulligan starred in Far from the Madding Crowd, Suffragette, and the Broadway revival of Skylight, earning a Tony Award nomination for the latter.

2015: Roles in Far from the Madding Crowd and Suffragette

In 2015, Carey Mulligan starred in the film adaptation of Far from the Madding Crowd and in Suffragette.

2017: Role in Mudbound

In 2017, Carey Mulligan starred in Netflix's Mudbound, which received critical acclaim and earned four Academy Award nominations.

2018: Role in Wildlife

In 2018, Carey Mulligan starred in Paul Dano's directorial debut film Wildlife, which premiered at the 71st Cannes Film Festival and received rave reviews. She also received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance.

December 2020: Release of Promising Young Woman

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release of Promising Young Woman, in which Carey Mulligan starred, was delayed to December 25, 2020.

2020: Role in Promising Young Woman

In 2020, Carey Mulligan starred in Promising Young Woman, receiving an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

2021: Role in The Dig

In 2021, Carey Mulligan replaced Nicole Kidman in The Dig, a film about the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo. It received a limited release in the United Kingdom, followed by a streaming release via Netflix.