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Charlotte Riley Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide

Henry Cooper Sutton • 2026-04-13 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

Charlotte Riley, born December 29, 1981, in England, has built a varied career spanning film, television, and miniseries over nearly two decades. The actress first gained recognition through roles in British productions before achieving wider visibility through her portrayal of May Carleton in the acclaimed crime drama Peaky Blinders. Her filmography encompasses period pieces, action blockbusters, and contemporary television projects, demonstrating a diverse range across genres.

This comprehensive guide examines the complete list of Charlotte Riley movies and TV shows, organized by category to help viewers navigate her work. From her early television appearances to her most recent projects, the information presented here draws from verified sources including IMDb, Wikipedia, and Rotten Tomatoes.

Charlotte Riley has accumulated approximately 30 credits across movies, TV series, and miniseries since beginning her career in the early 2000s. Her work includes appearances in major Hollywood productions alongside British television dramas, establishing her as a versatile performer capable of transitioning between international and domestic projects.

What Movies Has Charlotte Riley Been In?

Charlotte Riley’s film career includes appearances in both independent productions and major studio releases. Her movie credits span from 2008 to an upcoming 2026 release, with roles ranging from lead performances in period dramas to supporting parts in large-scale action films.

Edge of Tomorrow
2014 | Nance
91% Rotten Tomatoes score

London Has Fallen
2016 | Jacqueline Marshall
Action blockbuster

In the Heart of the Sea
2015 | Peggy Gardner Chase
Ron Howard directed

Easy Virtue
2008 | Sarah Hurst
Early feature film role

  • Riley appeared in three consecutive Hollywood releases between 2014 and 2016
  • Her highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes is Edge of Tomorrow at 91%
  • The actress has worked in both period dramas and contemporary action films
  • She has taken on roles in short films alongside major studio productions
  • Upcoming release Masters of the Universe (2026) marks her first Queen Marlena role
  • Several films feature her in supporting rather than leading roles
Film Year Role Rotten Tomatoes
Masters of the Universe 2026 Queen Marlena Glenn Post-production
Fireworks 2022 Gillian Lye Not rated
The Pebble & the Boy 2021 Actor Not rated
Mairi 2020 Vicky Not rated
Swimming with Men 2018 Sarah/Swimming Coach/Susan 52%
London Has Fallen 2016 MI6 Agent Jacqueline “Jax” Marshall 28%
In the Heart of the Sea 2015 Peggy/Peggy Gardner Chase 42%
Killing Thyme 2015 Anna Not rated
Edge of Tomorrow 2014 Nance 91%
Entity 2012 Kate Hansen 19%
Easy Virtue 2008 Sarah Hurst 52%
Survey No. 257 2008 Emma Short film

What TV Shows Is Charlotte Riley Known For?

Television work forms a significant portion of Charlotte Riley’s career, with appearances spanning BBC productions, period dramas, and contemporary series. Her television credits demonstrate consistent work in British drama, often in recurring or lead roles.

Peaky Blinders Role

Charlotte Riley portrayed May Carleton (also credited as May Fitz Carleton) in the acclaimed BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders. Her character appeared in Series 2 (2014) and Series 4 (2017), serving as a horse trainer and love interest to protagonist Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy. The role brought Riley significant recognition within the UK television landscape.

Role Significance

May Carleton represents one of Riley’s most prominent television roles, appearing across two seasons of the internationally successful series. The character’s storyline intersects with major plot developments in the Shelby family narrative.

Other Notable Television Work

Beyond Peaky Blinders, Riley has appeared in numerous television productions. Her work includes lead roles in miniseries, recurring appearances in crime dramas, and guest spots across various British programming. Notable appearances include The Peripheral (2022), where she played Aelita West, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015) as Arabella Strange.

Complete Charlotte Riley Filmography Overview

A comprehensive view of Charlotte Riley’s career reveals a pattern of consistent work across multiple formats, including feature films, television series, and television films. Her career trajectory shows movement between independent British productions and larger international projects.

Early Career (2007-2011)

Riley’s early television appearances included guest roles in popular British series such as Holby City (2007), Inspector George Gently (2008), and Foyle’s War (2010). Her transition to more substantial roles came through period dramas, most notably her casting as Catherine Earnshaw in the 2009 television film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which earned an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score.

  • Holby City (BBC, 2007)
  • Inspector George Gently (ITV, 2008)
  • Marple: The Mirror Crack’d (ITV, 2009)
  • Wuthering Heights (ITV, 2009) – Lead role as Catherine Earnshaw
  • The Take (Channel 4, 2009) – Four episodes as Maggie Summers
  • Foyle’s War (ITV, 2010)
  • DCI Banks (ITV, 2010-2011) – Three episodes as Lucy Payne

Career Development (2012-2019)

The mid-career period saw Riley take on increasingly prominent roles. Her performance as Caris in World Without End (2012), an eight-episode miniseries, earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress on Television. This period also included appearances in major films including Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and London Has Fallen (2016).

Recent Projects (2020-Present)

Recent work includes the comedy-drama series Trying (2020-present) as Kat/Cat Reid, and Smoggie Queens (2024-present) as Danni. Riley continues to book roles in both British and international productions, with projects spanning multiple genres.

Charlotte Riley’s Career Highlights and Awards

Charlotte Riley’s career highlights demonstrate versatility across genres and formats. While her award recognition remains limited, several projects stand out as significant achievements in her career trajectory.

Awards and Nominations

The most notable recognition Riley has received is a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress on Television for her role in World Without End (2012). Sources indicate this remains her only major award nomination to date, with no additional wins or nominations documented across verified sources.

Career Milestone

The Saturn Award nomination for World Without End represents Riley’s most significant industry recognition, highlighting her work in the television miniseries format.

Collaborations and Co-Star Connections

Charlotte Riley is married to actor Tom Hardy, with the couple marrying in 2014. However, verified filmography records show no direct project collaborations between Riley and Hardy. Peaky Blinders, often associated with both actors, stars Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, not Tom Hardy. Other major productions featuring Riley, including Edge of Tomorrow and London Has Fallen, feature entirely different ensemble casts.

Upcoming Charlotte Riley Movies and TV Shows

Looking ahead, Charlotte Riley has confirmed projects scheduled for release through 2026. These upcoming roles demonstrate continued activity in the industry with positions in both television and feature film productions.

  • Malice (2025) – Television series role as Sophie
  • Masters of the Universe (2026) – Feature film as Queen Marlena Glenn, currently in post-production

The Masters of the Universe project marks Riley’s highest-profile upcoming work, positioning her in a feature film franchise. Further details about release schedules and additional projects remain limited in available sources.

Charlotte Riley Career Timeline

Understanding the progression of Charlotte Riley’s career provides context for her development as a performer and the evolution of her roles over time.

  1. 2007-2010: Early Television Work – Guest appearances and supporting roles in British series including Holby City, Inspector George Gently, and Foyle’s War
  2. 2009: Lead Role Breakthrough – Cast as Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights, marking her first major television film lead
  3. 2011-2013: Recurring Television Roles – Appearances in DCI Banks and The Town, establishing consistent television presence
  4. 2012: Award Recognition – Nominated for Saturn Award for World Without End miniseries
  5. 2014-2017: Peaky Blinders Era – Portrayed May Carleton in Series 2 and 4 of the acclaimed drama
  6. 2014-2016: Hollywood Films – Appeared in Edge of Tomorrow, In the Heart of the Sea, and London Has Fallen
  7. 2017-Present: Continued Television Work – Ongoing appearances in series including King Charles III, The Peripheral, and Trying
  8. 2024-2026: New Projects – Smoggie Queens current work and Masters of the Universe upcoming release

What We Know for Certain—and What Remains Unclear

When examining Charlotte Riley’s career and background, certain information has been verified through multiple sources, while other details remain less certain or unconfirmed.

Established Information Less Certain Information
Born December 29, 1981, in England Details about early training or education
Married Tom Hardy since 2014 Specific details about personal life
Peaky Blinders role as May Carleton in Series 2 and 4 Future involvement in potential Peaky Blinders film
Saturn Award nomination for World Without End (2012) Details about award campaigning or nominations
Confirmed roles in Malice (2025) and Masters of the Universe (2026) Extent of role in Masters of the Universe production
No verified film collaborations with Tom Hardy Potential future projects together

Charlotte Riley in Context

Charlotte Riley represents a category of actors who maintain consistent careers without necessarily achieving household name status. Her work spans prestigious British period dramas, international action productions, and ongoing television series, demonstrating range and reliability as a performer.

The entertainment landscape has provided Riley opportunities to work across different formats and budgets, from independent British television to large-scale Hollywood productions. Her Saturn Award nomination and recurring presence in successful series like Peaky Blinders indicate quality work recognized by industry professionals.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Riley’s continued casting in new projects suggests ongoing relevance. The upcoming Masters of the Universe role particularly offers potential for increased visibility in the coming years.

Sources and References

This guide draws from verified entertainment databases and reference sources. Filmography information has been cross-referenced across multiple platforms to ensure accuracy.

Charlotte Riley… an English actress known for roles in films like Easy Virtue (2008) as Sarah Hurst and Wuthering Heights (2009) as Catherine Earnshaw, alongside TV series such as Peaky Blinders and The Peripheral.

Wikipedia

For additional verification, readers may consult the Internet Movie Database, Rotten Tomatoes, and individual project pages across streaming platforms. Filmography records are updated regularly as new projects are announced or released.

Summary

Charlotte Riley has built a diverse career spanning film, television, and miniseries over nearly two decades. Her most recognized role remains May Carleton in Peaky Blinders, while her film work includes appearances in Edge of Tomorrow, London Has Fallen, and the upcoming Masters of the Universe. The actress received a Saturn Award nomination for World Without End and continues to book roles in new productions. While married to Tom Hardy since 2014, no direct project collaborations between the two actors appear in verified filmography records. For readers interested in exploring similar British actresses, the Rose Leslie Movies and TV Shows – Complete Filmography Guide provides comparable career overviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Charlotte Riley’s first movie?

Based on available filmography records, Easy Virtue (2008) appears to be Riley’s first feature film credit, where she played Sarah Hurst.

Is Charlotte Riley related to Tom Hardy?

Charlotte Riley is not related to Tom Hardy by blood. She is married to Hardy, with the couple wedding in 2014.

Has Charlotte Riley won any awards?

Charlotte Riley received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress on Television for World Without End in 2012. No award wins have been documented in available sources.

What is Charlotte Riley’s most famous role?

May Carleton in Peaky Blinders is widely considered her most prominent television role, appearing in Series 2 and 4 of the acclaimed BBC drama.

Does Charlotte Riley appear in Tom Hardy movies?

Verified filmography records show no direct project collaborations between Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy. Both actors have separate filmographies despite their marriage.

How many movies and TV shows has Charlotte Riley been in?

Based on cross-verified sources, Charlotte Riley has approximately 30 credits across films, TV series, and miniseries since beginning her career in the early 2000s.

When did Charlotte Riley marry Tom Hardy?

Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy married in 2014, according to verified biographical sources.

What upcoming projects does Charlotte Riley have?

Riley is set to appear in Malice (2025) as Sophie and Masters of the Universe (2026) as Queen Marlena Glenn, which is currently in post-production.

Henry Cooper Sutton

About the author

Henry Cooper Sutton

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