Ellie Kendrick is a celebrated English actress known for her deeply affecting portrayal of Anne Frank and her memorable turn as Meera Reed in HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
With a career spanning television, film, and theatre, Kendrick has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most versatile young performers. Here’s a full look at her life and career.
Who Is Ellie Kendrick?
Ellie Kendrick is an English actress best known for playing Anne Frank in the BBC’s 2009 miniseries “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Ivy Morris in the 2010 revival of “Upstairs Downstairs,” and Meera Reed in the HBO fantasy series “Game of Thrones.”
She has also lent her voice to the character Taelia Fordragon in the video game “World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth.”
Profile
| Full Name | Eleanor Lucy V. Kendrick |
| Stage Name | Ellie Kendrick |
| Born | June 6, 1990 (some sources cite June 8, 1990) |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Birthplace | London (Greenwich), England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Occupation | Actress, Writer |
| Education | University of Cambridge (English Literature) |
| Net Worth | $500,000 and $2 million |
Early Life
Ellie Kendrick was born on June 6, 1990, in London, England, and grew up as an only child. Her father worked as a law officer, while her mother was involved in multiple professions, including law and advertising. From a young age, Kendrick showed an interest in performance, eventually joining organizations such as the Hazlitt Youth Theatre in Maidstone, the Changeling Theatre in Kent, and the National Youth Theatre, where she gained her earliest acting experience.
Education
Kendrick attended Dulwich College Preparatory School in Cranbrook, Kent, before moving on to Benenden School, also in Kent, for her secondary education. In October 2009, she earned a place at the University of Cambridge, where she studied English Literature, balancing her growing acting career with her academic studies.
Career
Kendrick’s early acting credits included small roles in British television productions such as “Waking the Dead” (2004), “Doctors” (2004), “In 2 Minds” (2004), “Prime Suspect: The Final Act” (2006), alongside Helen Mirren, and “Lewis” (2007). She also appeared in the acclaimed 2009 film “An Education,” written by Nick Hornby, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Her breakout role came in 2009, when she was cast as Anne Frank in the BBC miniseries “The Diary of Anne Frank,” a performance that earned widespread critical acclaim and a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. She followed this with the role of Ivy Morris in the first series of the revived “Upstairs Downstairs” (2010).
Kendrick joined the cast of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” in 2013, playing Meera Reed, a recurring character who appeared across Seasons 3, 4, 6, and 7, acting alongside stars such as Iain Glen, Isaac Hempstead Wright, and Kristofer Hivju. Around the same period, she also appeared in “Being Human” (2012–2013) and “Misfits” (2013). In 2016, she took on her first lead film role in “The Levelling,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and she was recognized as a TIFF Rising Star that year. She has also worked extensively in theatre, including performances at the Globe Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre, and the Hampstead Theatre, and even wrote her own play, “Hole,” which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2018. Her more recent screen credits include “Press” (2018), “Dodo” (2021), “Attachment” (2022), and “Bonus Track” (2023).
Awards & Nominations
- Satellite Award nomination – Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie, for “The Diary of Anne Frank” (2010)
- TIFF Rising Star recognition (2016), for “The Levelling”
- Named one of the “55 Faces of the Future” by Nylon Magazine’s Young Hollywood Issue
Social Media
Ellie Kendrick maintains a notably private profile and is largely absent from major social media platforms, choosing to keep her focus on her acting and writing work rather than public online engagement.
Personal Life
Ellie Kendrick has generally kept her personal life out of the spotlight.
According to public reporting, she is a lesbian. She is also known for her charitable work, supporting the Arts Emergency charity, which provides mentoring and networking opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing careers in the arts.
Net Worth
Ellie Kendrick’s net worth is not officially confirmed, with various unofficial estimates ranging from around $500,000 to $2 million, derived from her extensive work across television, film, and theatre productions over the past two decades.
Filmography
- An Education (2009) — as Tina
- The Diary of Anne Frank (2009, TV miniseries) — as Anne Frank
- Upstairs Downstairs (2010) — as Ivy Morris
- Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (2012) — as Kitty
- Being Human (2012–2013) — as Allison
- Game of Thrones (2013–2017) — as Meera Reed
- Misfits (2013) — as Helen
- The Levelling (2016) — as Clover
- Whisky Galore! (2016)
- Press (2018), Dodo (2021), Attachment (2022), Bonus Track (2023)
FAQs
What is Ellie Kendrick best known for?
She is best known for playing Anne Frank in “The Diary of Anne Frank” and Meera Reed in “Game of Thrones.”
How old is Ellie Kendrick?
Born June 6, 1990, she is 36 years old as of 2026.
Did Ellie Kendrick go to university?
Yes, she studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge.
Is Ellie Kendrick active on social media?
No, she keeps a low profile and is largely absent from major social media platforms.
What was Ellie Kendrick’s role in Game of Thrones?
She played Meera Reed, a loyal companion who helps protect Bran Stark.
Conclusion
From her breakout, award-nominated performance as Anne Frank to her memorable run on “Game of Thrones,” Ellie Kendrick has proven herself to be a versatile and dedicated actress across television, film, and stage. Her continued work in independent film and theatre suggests a career built on substance over spectacle, with much more still ahead.
