The new generation of British actresses know each other, and many have appeared in the same films and TV dramas. James Mottram reports on a remarkable flowering of fresh talent

While once upon a time it was McGregor and Law who made it to Hollywood, now we have the likes of Gemma Arterton. Already known for her brief-but-memorable role as a Bond girl in Quantum of Solace, the 23-year-old from Gravesend will next be seen in two of the biggest films of 2010, the video-game adaptation Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and a remake of the cult favourite Clash of the Titans.

With Prince of Persia being backed by the producer Jerry Bruckheimer, inevitable comparisons are being made between Arterton and Knightley, whose breakthrough came in Pirates of the Caribbean courtesy of the very same mogul. “It’s always funny,” says Arterton. “Especially with girls, people always want to them in little brackets, which they belong in. I don’t think I belong in the same bracket as Keira Knightley. I’m completely different, and from a very different background, and even have different accents. It’s just because of Jerry Bruckheimer and it’s a period film… it’s an obvious thing to say. I don’t mind. I’m confident in my own ability to not worry about being compared to people.”

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Gemma Arterton

Age: 23
Key CV: ‘St. Trinians’, ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’, ‘Quantum of Solace’
Why We Like Her: There’s something down-to-earth about Arterton that’s very appealing to Hollywood. Compare her to previous exports, like the oh-so-wooden Kate Beckinsale, and you can already see why studios are now wooing her. She’s able to play saucy, tragic and timid in the blink of an eye, and next summer will test her range further. But if Arterton keeps her feet planted on terra firma, she should have Hollywood kneeling before them for a good while yet.
Next up: ‘Clash of the Titans’

Source: The Independent