Born in Paddington, London, England; educated at Cambridge University (English literature). Thompson began writing and performing her own comic material while a student at Cambridge, appearing with both the celebrated Footlights revue and the university's first all-female troupe, "Woman's Hour." After co-starring in the hit West End musical Me and My Girl Thompson joined the Renaissance Theatre Company, her life and career becoming linked with Renaissance founder and star Kenneth Branagh, whom she married. Thompson began her film career in 1989 with THE TALL GUY and Branagh's HENRY V and was quite effective as a young amnesiac haunted by nightmares of a past murder in the 1991 romantic melodrama, DEAD AGAIN (once again co-starring, and directed by, her husband). Sans Branagh, Thompson starred in and wrote her own highly enjoyable BBC variety series, "Thompson," and shone amid strong competition (Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave) as the forthright heroine of the Merchant-Ivory film, HOWARDS END (1992). Other notable (non-nominated) screen credits include PETER'S FRIENDS (1992), JUNIOR (1994), CARRINGTON (1995), THE WINTER GUEST (1997), PRIMARY COLORS, JUDAS KISS and JUNKET WHORE (all 1998), MAYBE BABY (2000), "Wit" (2001, TV - also teleplay), TREASURE PLANET (2002, voice), IMAGINING ARGENTINA, LOVE ACTUALLY and "Angels in America" (TV mini-series) (all 2003), HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004), NANNY McPHEE (2005), STRANGER THAN FICTION (2006), I AM LEGEND (2007, uncredited), and LAST CHANCE HARVEY and BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (both scheduled for release in 2008). She is the daughter of stage director Eric Thompson (who directed some of Alan Ayckbourn's early plays) and actress Phyllida Law; her sister Sophie is also an actress. She and Branagh were divorced in 1994. She married actor Greg Wise in 2003, and they have a daughter named Gaia Romilly Wise (b. 1999).  Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1992: HOWARDS END  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1993: THE REMAINS OF THE DAY  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1993: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1995: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY  Best Achievement in Writing - Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published 1995: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY 5 nominations, 2 Awards