Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gemma Chan
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gemma Chan made an impact.
Gemma Chan is a British actress who began her career in the late 2000s after graduating from Worcester College, Oxford. She gained initial recognition for her leading role in the Channel 4 science fiction series *Humans* (2015–2018). Chan further solidified her prominence with starring roles in films such as *Crazy Rich Asians* and as Elizabeth Hardwick in *Mary Queen of Scots*.
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2006: Professional Debut in When Evil Calls
In 2006, Gemma Chan made her professional debut in the Horror Channel miniseries When Evil Calls.
2008: Stage Debut in Turandot
In 2008, Gemma Chan made her stage debut in the British premiere of Bertolt Brecht's play, Turandot, at the Hampstead Theatre in London.
2009: Appearance in Doctor Who and Exam
In 2009, Gemma Chan made a guest appearance in Doctor Who and starred in the psychological thriller Exam, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
2009: Film Debut
In 2009, Gemma Chan made her film debut, marking the beginning of her career in the film industry.
2012: Roles in Bedlam, True Love, and Yellow Face
In 2012, Gemma Chan played Kiera in Bedlam, Kathy in True Love, and starred in Yellow Face at The Park Theatre, London.
November 2013: Performance in Our Ajax
In November 2013, Gemma Chan performed in the world premiere of Our Ajax at the Southwark Playhouse, London, receiving positive reviews for her performance.
2014: Appearance in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
In 2014, Gemma Chan appeared in the action-thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
2014: Revival of Yellow Face
In 2014, Gemma Chan returned for the revival of Yellow Face at the Royal National Theatre. She also discussed struggles to get cast in certain roles due to her ethnicity.
2015: Leading Role in Humans
In 2015, Gemma Chan gained attention for her leading role in the Channel 4 science fiction series Humans, which aired from 2015 to 2018.
2015: Role in Belles Familles and Humans Debut
In 2015, Gemma Chan portrayed Chen-Lin in Belles Familles and starred in the science-fiction drama Humans.
2015: Role in The Homecoming
In 2015, Gemma Chan portrayed Ruth in the West End revival of Harold Pinter's drama The Homecoming, receiving rave reviews for her performance.
2017: Save the Children Trip
In 2017, Gemma Chan travelled with Save the Children to Lebanon to meet Syrian child refugees.
2017: Roles in Transformers: The Last Knight and Stratton
In 2017, Gemma Chan voiced Quintessa in Transformers: The Last Knight and starred in Stratton.
October 2018: People's Vote March
In October 2018, Gemma Chan and Dominic Cooper participated in the People's Vote March, expressing support for a second Brexit referendum.
2018: Starring Roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Mary Queen of Scots
In 2018, Gemma Chan achieved prominence with her starring film roles in Crazy Rich Asians and as Elizabeth Hardwick in Mary Queen of Scots.
2018: Role in Crazy Rich Asians
In 2018, Gemma Chan co-starred as Astrid Leong-Teo in the film Crazy Rich Asians, which became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of the decade.
2018: Participation in Leading Lady Parts, London Fields and Mary Queen of Scots Release
In 2018, Gemma Chan featured in the short film Leading Lady Parts, appeared in London Fields, and portrayed Elizabeth Hardwick in Mary Queen of Scots.
2018: International Attention from Crazy Rich Asians and Fashion Recognition
In 2018, Gemma Chan gained international attention from Crazy Rich Asians, and she was praised for her fashion choices, particularly her Valentino dress at the 91st Academy Awards.
2018: Voice Role in Watership Down and ActionAid Film
In 2018, Gemma Chan lent her voice to the animated miniseries Watership Down and starred in a film produced by ActionAid.
2018: Partnership with Moet
In 2018, Gemma Chan partnered with Moet to support Help Refugees UK.
September 2019: Cover of British Vogue
In September 2019, Gemma Chan was one of fifteen women selected to appear on the cover of the September issue of British Vogue, guest-edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
2019: Appearance in Captain Marvel
In 2019, Gemma Chan appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain Marvel, portraying Minn-Erva.
2019: Met Gala Appearance
In 2019, Gemma Chan attended the Met Gala dressed by Tom Ford, embracing the "camp" theme with a chainmail dress and Taylor-inspired headpiece, paying tribute to Elizabeth Taylor and Cher.
2019: UNICEF UK Trip to Jamaica & Soccer Aid
In 2019, Gemma Chan travelled to Jamaica with UNICEF UK to raise awareness of domestic violence, and participated in Soccer Aid to raise funds for charity.
2020: World Children's Day Commemoration
In 2020, Gemma Chan participated in World Children's Day commemorations.
2020: Starring in Let Them All Talk and Women In Film Max Mara Award
In 2020, Gemma Chan starred in Let Them All Talk and received the Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future award.
March 2021: Release of Raya and the Last Dragon
In March 2021, Gemma Chan voiced the warrior princess Namaari in the Disney animated film Raya and the Last Dragon.
May 2021: #StopESEAHate Campaign Launch
In May 2021, Gemma Chan launched the #StopESEAHate campaign to assist people of East and Southeast Asian descent who are victims of hate crimes.
November 2021: Release of Eternals
In November 2021, Gemma Chan starred as Sersi in the Marvel Studios film Eternals.
2021: Roles in Eternals and Raya and the Last Dragon
In 2021, Gemma Chan appeared in Eternals as Sersi and had a voice role in the Disney animated film Raya and the Last Dragon.
2021: Appointed UNICEF UK Ambassador
In 2021, Gemma Chan was appointed a celebrity ambassador for UNICEF UK.
2022: Appearance in Don't Worry Darling
In 2022, Gemma Chan appeared in Olivia Wilde's psychological thriller Don't Worry Darling.
2022: Cannes Film Festival Appearance
In 2022, Gemma Chan attended the Cannes Film Festival, wearing a flower-style Oscar de la Renta dress by "Slaysian" creative director Laura Kim; among multiple others, promoting Asian fashion designers.
2022: Met Gala and Cannes Film Festival Appearances
In 2022, Gemma Chan attended the In America-themed Met Gala in a custom Louis Vuitton dress, earning praise as one of the "best-dressed." She also attended the Cannes Film Festival, wearing a "sheer gothic gown" and continuing her partnership with Louis Vuitton. Teen Vogue listed Chan among their "24 Celebrities Who Nailed It" list in 2022.
February 2023: Newport Beach Film Festival Appearance
In February 2023, Gemma Chan wore a couture chiffon Miss Sohee gown accompanied by Anabela Chan jewellery at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
2023: Appearance in The Creator
In 2023, Gemma Chan appeared in Gareth Edwards' science fiction film The Creator.
2023: Appearances in Extrapolations, The Boy and the Heron, Don't Worry Darling, and The Creator
In 2023, Gemma Chan appeared in the Apple TV+ series Extrapolations, voiced a role in The Boy and the Heron, and appeared in the films Don't Worry Darling and The Creator.
2023: Cannes Film Festival and Vogue World Event
In 2023, Gemma Chan's style at the Cannes Film Festival was again praised, where she wore a "white gown adorned with sparkling pailettes." She also wore Louis Vuitton to the 2023 Vogue World event, sporting a custom "organza dress covered in bluish silver paillettes."
2024: British Vogue Cover
In 2024, Gemma Chan was featured in Edward Enninful's final British Vogue cover, titled "40 Megastars, One Magnificent Image," alongside forty other notable female celebrities.
2025: Starring in The Actor
In 2025, Gemma Chan is set to star in Duke Johnson's film The Actor, based on the novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake.
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