| Alice Krige | |
| Birth Name: | Alice Maud Krige |
| Birth Place: | Upington, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Education: | Rhodes University Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Occupation: | Actress, producer |
| Years Active: | 1976–present |
Alice Maud Krige (in Afrikaans ˈkriːχə/) is a South African actress and producer. Her big break came in 1981, when she starred as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon in the British historical film Chariots of Fire, and as Eva Galli / Alma Mobley in the American supernatural horror film Ghost Story. She received a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in the West End theatre production of Arms and the Man (1981) and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Krige starred in various British, South African, European, and American films throughout her career. She starred in King David (1985), Barfly (1987), Haunted Summer (1988), See You in the Morning (1989), Sleepwalkers (1992), and Institute Benjamenta (1995). She played the role of the Borg Queen in the science fiction film (1996), for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, and reprised the role in (2001), (2021), and (2023). Subsequent notable film appearances include The Little Vampire (2000), Silent Hill (2006), Skin (2008), Solomon Kane (2009), The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), (2013), A Christmas Prince (2017) and its two sequels, and Gretel & Hansel (2020). She played the leading role in the 2021 psychological horror drama film, She Will.[1]
On television, Krige played Lucie Manette in the 1980 historical drama film A Tale of Two Cities, appeared in miniseries Ellis Island (1984) and Dream West (1986), the Holocaust drama (1985), and as Patsy Cline in the comedy-drama Baja Oklahoma (1988). In later years, Krige played Lady Jessica in Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003), Natalie Wood's mother in The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004), Joan Collins in (2005), and Lady Russell in Persuasion (2007). Her regular roles include Tyrant (2014–15), The Syndicate (2015), and The OA (2016–19).
Krige was born in Upington, Cape Province (now Northern Cape), South Africa, the daughter of Patricia, a professor of psychology, and Louis Krige, a physician. The Kriges later moved to Port Elizabeth, where Alice grew up in what she has described as a "very happy family", with two brothers, one of whom became a physician and the other a Professor of Surgery.[2] [3]
Krige attended Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa with plans to become a clinical psychologist. She turned to acting after taking an acting class at Rhodes, then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a BA Hons degree in drama, with distinction. She went on to London to attend the Central School of Speech and Drama.[4]
Krige made her professional debut playing the female lead in the 1976 South African romantic drama film Vergeet My Nie directed by Elmo De Witt.[5]
She moved to England in 1979, when she made her debut on British television appearing in an episode of BBC2 Playhouse. The following year, Krige starred as Lucie Manette in the American historical television film A Tale of Two Cities opposite Chris Sarandon.[6] She went on to play Sybil Gordon in the British historical film Chariots of Fire and Eva Galli/Alma Mobley in Ghost Story, both released in 1981.[3] [4]
She then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Cordelia in King Lear and in Edward Bond's Lear, Miranda in The Tempest, Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew, and Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac. She also appeared in plays such as Thomas Otway's Venice Preserv'd at the Almeida Theatre in London, and Toyer at the Arts Theatre in the West End.
After her big screen breakthrough, Krige went on to star in a number of made-for-television movies and miniseries. She starred in the three-part CBS miniseries Ellis Island in 1984 based on 1983 novel of the same title. She starred alongside Richard Chamberlain in the television film (1985) and the miniseries Dream West (1986). Her other television films include Second Serve (1986), Baja Oklahoma (1988) playing country singer Patsy Cline, and Max and Helen (1990).
Krige played Bathsheba in the 1985 epic film King David opposite Richard Gere.[7] The film was not well received by the critics and was also a box-office failure, grossing $5.9 million worldwide against its $21 million production budget.[8] In 1987, she starred alongside Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway in the black comedy film Barfly, which received positive reviews from critics.[9] The following year she played Mary Shelley in the period drama film Haunted Summer.[10] In 1989, Krige played the female lead opposite Jeff Bridges in the romantic comedy-drama film, See You in the Morning.[11]
In 1992, Krige starred in the horror film Sleepwalkers written by Stephen King and directed by Mick Garris. Later that year she guest-starred in an episode of popular teen drama series, Beverly Hills, 90210 playing beautiful ranch owner named Anne who dated Luke Perry's character. She appeared in a made-for-television movies (1993), (1993), Sharpe's Honour (1994), Donor Unknown (1995), Devil's Advocate (1995), Hidden in America (1996), (1997), and Deep in My Heart (1999). She starred in the 1991 miniseries Strauss Dynasty about Strauss family of Vienna, and well as Scarlet and Black (1993) and Joseph (1995). She received CableACE Award nomination for her performance in the anthology series The Hidden Room in 1992. In 1995, she starred in the critically acclaimed drama film Institute Benjamenta directed by Brothers Quay.[12] She later appeared in Habitat (1997), Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1998), The Commissioner (1998) and (1999). In 1996, Krige starred in the science fiction film , playing the role of the Borg Queen,[13] who attempts to assimilate Earth into the Borg collective. She won Best Supporting Actress at the 1997 Saturn Awards for that role.[3] She returned to this character in the Star Trek game and in the series finale "Endgame" in 2001. In 2021, she reprised her role as the Borg Queen in voice only for the animated series , to be followed in 2023 again voicing the Borg Queen in the series finale of .[14] The character was named the greatest villain in Star Trek history.[15]
In 2000, Krige appeared in two genre films: the horror comedy The Little Vampire and the supernatural horror The Calling. She appeared in Reign of Fire (2002), Stay Alive, Lonely Hearts and The Contract (all released in 2006). Also in 2006, Krige played Christabella, the main antagonist of the supernatural horror film Silent Hill.[16]
In 2008 she starred in the biographical drama film Skin alongside Sophie Okonedo and Sam Neill receiving positive reviews.[17] [18] The film explores the issues of the girl being classified as "Coloured" by the South African authorities during Apartheid, although her parents were white. In 2012, Krige produced the award-winning feature Jail Caesar, an exploration of the little known adolescence of Julius Caesar, filmed in three working prisons with several hundred serving prisoners and an ensemble of actors including Derek Jacobi and John Kani. Jail Caesar was written and directed by Paul Schoolman. Her later credits including Solomon Kane (2009), The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), Will (2011), and (2013).[19]
Krige's science fiction career has expanded into television, with prominent roles in miniseries adaptations of Dinotopia (2002) and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003).[3]
She played Natalie Wood's mother in the 2004 made-for-television movie The Mystery of Natalie Wood, and starred as Joan Collins in (2005).[20] [21] She starred in the BBC Two drama The Line of Beauty in 2006. She had recurring roles on Deadwood, and guest starred on Six Feet Under, , The 4400, Dirty Sexy Money and NCIS.
In 2011, Krige appeared in the BBC's final season of Spooks, playing Russian double agent Elena Gavrik.[22] Krige also featured in the final season of the BBC drama Waking the Dead, in 2011.[23] She played the role of Amira in the first and second series of Tyrant for F/X, and worked for the BBC on the series The Syndicate and Partners in Crime. In 2016, she starred on the Netflix mystery series, The OA.[24]
In 2017, Krige starred as Queen Helena Charlton in the Christmas romantic comedy film, A Christmas Prince for Netflix. She reprised her role in two sequels: (2018) and (2019). In 2020 she starred in the dark fantasy horror film, Gretel & Hansel playing the role of The Witch.[25] In 2021, she played the leading role in the psychological horror drama film She Will playing the role of aging film star. Krige received positive reviews for her performance.[26] [27] Also that year she appeared opposite Max von Sydow in the drama film Echoes of the Past. In 2022, Krige appeared in the slasher film Texas Chainsaw Massacre for Netflix.[1]
She earned a Plays and Players Award, as well as a Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer, after appearing in a 1981 West End theatre production of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man.[3] [4]
In April 2004, Krige was awarded an honorary Litt.D. degree from Rhodes University.[3]
In 2015, Krige received the Special Jury Award at the International Film Festival for Peace, Inspiration and Equality in Jakarta, along with Andy Garcia and Jimmy Carter for her performance in the film Shingetsu, in which she plays a war-traumatised surgeon of Doctors Without Borders, opposite Gunter Singer.[28] [29]
Krige married writer and director Paul Schoolman in 1988.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Vergeet My Nie | Welma de Villiers | ||
| 1981 | Chariots of Fire | Sybil Gordon | ||
| 1981 | Ghost Story | Eva Galli / Alma Mobley | ||
| 1985 | King David | Bathsheba | ||
| 1987 | Barfly | Tully Sorenson | ||
| 1988 | Haunted Summer | Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin | ||
| 1989 | See You in the Morning | Beth Goodwin | ||
| 1992 | Sleepwalkers | Mary Brady | Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actress Fantafestival Award for Best Actress | |
| 1992 | Spies Inc. | Isabelle | ||
| 1994 | Sea Beggars | Wife | Short film | |
| 1995 | Institute Benjamenta | Lisa Benjamenta | ||
| 1996 | Borg Queen | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress | ||
| 1996 | Amanda | Audrey Farnsworth | ||
| 1997 | Habitat | Clarissa Symes | ||
| 1997 | Twilight of the Ice Nymphs | Zephyr Eccles | ||
| 1998 | data-sort-value="Commissioner, The" | The Commissioner | Isabelle Morton | |
| 1999 | Mother Marianne Cope | |||
| 2000 | data-sort-value="Little Vampire, The" | The Little Vampire | Freda Sackville-Bagg | |
| 2000 | data-sort-value="Calling, The" | The Calling | Elizabeth Plummer | |
| 2001 | Superstition | Mirella Cenci | ||
| 2001 | Vallen | Monique | ||
| 2002 | Reign of Fire | Karen Abercromby | ||
| 2004 | Star Trek: The Experience - Borg Invasion 4D | Borg Queen | Short film | |
| 2004 | Shadow of Fear | Margie Henderson | ||
| 2006 | Stay Alive | The Author | ||
| 2006 | Silent Hill | Christabella LaRoache | ||
| 2006 | Lonely Hearts | Janet Long | ||
| 2006 | data-sort-value="Contract, The" | The Contract | Agent Gwen Miles | |
| 2007 | Ten Inch Hero | Zo | ||
| 2008 | Skin | Sannie Laing | ||
| 2008 | data-sort-value="Betrayed, The" | The Betrayed | Falco | |
| 2009 | Solomon Kane | Katherine Crowthorn | ||
| 2010 | data-sort-value="Sorcerer's Apprentice, The" | The Sorcerer's Apprentice | Morgan le Fay | |
| 2011 | Will | Sister Carmel | ||
| 2012 | Jail Caesar | Pirate Captain | Also producer Nominated — Raindance Film Festival Jury Prize for Best UK Feature | |
| 2013 | Eir | |||
| 2017 | data-sort-value="Little Vampire 3D, The" | The Little Vampire 3D | Freda Sackville-Bagg | Voice |
| 2017 | data-sort-value="Christmas Prince, A" | A Christmas Prince | Queen Helena | |
| 2018 | data-sort-value="Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding, A" | Queen Helena | ||
| 2018 | data-sort-value="Rose in Winter, A" | A Rose in Winter | Anna Reinach | |
| 2019 | data-sort-value="Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby, A" | Queen Helena | ||
| 2020 | Gretel & Hansel | Holda/The Witch | Nominated — Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Performance | |
| 2020 | Shingetsu | Woman | Also producer | |
| 2020 | data-sort-value="Bay of Silence, The" | The Bay of Silence | Vivian | |
| 2021 | She Will | Veronica Ghent | ||
| 2021 | Echoes of the Past | Andrea Foss | ||
| 2022 | Texas Chainsaw Massacre | Virginia "Ginny" McCumber | [30] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | BBC2 Playhouse | Emily | Episode: "The Happy Autumn Fields" | |
| 1980 | data-sort-value="Tale of Two Cities, A" | A Tale of Two Cities | Lucie Manette | TV film |
| 1980 | data-sort-value="Professionals, The" | The Professionals | Diana Molner | Episode: "Operation Susie" |
| 1983 | Arms and the Man | Raina | Filmed stage production | |
| 1984 | Ellis Island | Bridget O'Donnell | TV miniseries | |
| 1985 | Baroness Lisl Kemeny | TV film | ||
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote | Nita Cochran | Episode: "Murder in the Afternoon" | |
| 1986 | Dream West | Jessie Benton Fremont | TV miniseries | |
| 1986 | Second Serve | Gwen | TV film | |
| 1988 | Baja Oklahoma | Patsy Cline | TV film | |
| 1990 | Max and Helen | Helen Weiss | TV film | |
| 1991 | The Strauss Dynasty | Olga | TV miniseries | |
| 1991 | data-sort-value="Hidden Room, The" | The Hidden Room | Jennifer | Episode: "Dream Child" Nominated — CableACE Award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series |
| 1991 | L'Amérique en otage | Parveneh Limbert | TV film | |
| 1992 | Ladykiller | May Packard | TV film | |
| 1992 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Anne Berrisford | Episode: "Wild Horses" | |
| 1993 | Jean Syfert | TV film | ||
| 1993 | Double Deception | Pamela Sparrow | TV film | |
| 1993 | Joan Anatole | TV film | ||
| 1993 | Scarlet and Black | Madame de Renal | TV miniseries | |
| 1994 | Sharpe's Honour | La Marquesa | TV film | |
| 1995 | Joseph | Rachel | TV film | |
| 1995 | Donor Unknown | Alice Stillman | TV film | |
| 1995 | Devil's Advocate | Alessandra Locatelli | TV film | |
| 1996 | Hidden in America | Dee | TV film | |
| 1997 | Rebecca Daly | TV film | ||
| 1998 | Close Relations | Louise | TV miniseries | |
| 1998 | Welcome to Paradox | Aura Mendoza | Episode: "Acute Triangle" | |
| 1999 | Deep in My Heart | Annalise Jurgenson | TV film | |
| 1999 | Becker | Dr. Sandra Rush | Episode: "Activate Your Choices" | |
| 1999 | In the Company of Spies | Sarah Gold | TV film | |
| 2001 | Attila | Galla Placidia | TV miniseries | |
| 2001 | Borg Queen | Episode: "Endgame" | ||
| 2002 | Six Feet Under | Alma | Episodes: "Out, Out, Brief Candle" and "The Plan" | |
| 2002 | Dinotopia | Rosemary Waldo | TV miniseries | |
| 2003 | Children of Dune | Lady Jessica | TV miniseries | |
| 2003 | data-sort-value="Death and Life of Nancy Eaton, The" | The Death and Life of Nancy Eaton | Snubby Eaton | TV film |
| 2004 | data-sort-value="Mystery of Natalie Wood, The" | The Mystery of Natalie Wood | Maria Gurdin | TV film |
| 2003, 2004 | Threat Matrix | Senator Lily Randolph | Episodes: "Flipping" and "19 Seconds" | |
| 2005 | Joan Collins | TV film | ||
| 2005 | Deadwood | Maddie | 5 episodes | |
| 2006 | Gillian Booth | Episode: "Dramma Giocoso" | ||
| 2006 | data-sort-value="Line of Beauty, The" | The Line of Beauty | Rachel Fedden | TV miniseries |
| 2006 | data-sort-value="4400, The" | The 4400 | Sarah | Episodes: "Gone: Part 1" and "Gone: Part 2" |
| 2007 | Persuasion | Lady Russell | TV film Nominated — Monte-Carlo Television Festival for Best Performance by an Actress | |
| 2007 | Heroes and Villains | Letizia | Episode: "Napoleon" | |
| 2008 | Dirty Sexy Money | Judge Alexis Wyeth | Episode: "The Family Lawyer" | |
| 2009 | Midsomer Murders | Jenny Frazer | Episode: "Secrets and Spies" | |
| 2011 | Waking the Dead | Karen Harding | Episodes: "Care: Part 1" and "Care: Part 2" | |
| 2011 | Page Eight | Emma Baron | TV film | |
| 2011 | Spooks | Elena Gavrik | 6 episodes | |
| 2014 | Tyrant | Amira Al Fayeed | 20 episodes | |
| 2014 | NCIS | Margaret Clark | Episode: "So It Goes" | |
| 2015 | data-sort-value="Syndicate, The" | The Syndicate | Lady Hazelwood | 6 episodes |
| 2015 | Partners in Crime | Rita Vandemeyer | Episodes: "The Secret Adversary: Part 1" and "The Secret Adversary: Part 2" | |
| 2016–2019 | data-sort-value="OA, The" | The OA | Nancy Johnson | Season 1 (2016): 8 episodes Season 2 (2019): Episode: "Angel of Death" |
| 2019 | Carnival Row | Aoife Tsigani | Recurring role[31] | |
| 2020 | data-sort-value="Alienist: Angel of Darkness, The" | The Alienist: Angel of Darkness | Elizabeth Cady Stanton | 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Borg Queen (voice) | Episode: "I, Excretus" | ||
| 2023 | Son of a Critch | Millicent Hearn | Episode: "Old Friends, New Friends" | |
| 2023 | Borg Queen (voice) | 2 episodes |