Trust Tom Ford to find our latest red-headed obsession. After all, the fashion designer turned director has a penchant for actresses with russet-hued locks. Julianne Moore was the star of his cinematic debut A Single Man, while his sophomore attempt Nocturnal Animals sees a trio of red-heads taking centre-stage; Amy Adams, Isla Fisher and newcomer Ellie Bamber. While we’ve always been fans of the first two, it’s the latter who has become our newest infatuation.
The rising starlet might have only appeared in a handful of films so far – including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – but that hasn’t stopped her gaining the attention of the fashion world, with designers including Karl Lagerfeld lining up to dress her. And can you blame them? With her strawberry blonde locks, ivory complexion and doll-like features, she’s certainly very easy on the eyes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the up-and-coming actress…
How old is Ellie Bamber?
Believe it or not, the talented ingénue is a mere 19-years-old.
Where is she from?
The British actress was born in Wokingham, where she won two drama scholarships for both secondary school and college, before deciding to forgo a university degree in favour of starting her career.
Is she a natural redhead?
Like fellow actresses Emma Stone and Christina Hendricks, Ellie is actually an adopted redhead, having dyed her hair for her role as Lydia Bennett in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. She told InStyle, ‘My character Lydia is really feisty so the costume team decided to dye my hair red. On the big reveal I hated it. But then the next day I got used to it and fell in love with it. I’m never going back to blonde again!’ Personally, we think it’s a genius move; after all, Ms. Bamber is 1. In amazing company and 2. Totally stands out from the crowd.
Did she always want to be an actress?
Unsurprisingly considering her precocious talent, the starlet always knew she wanted to pursue a career on the big screen. She auditioned for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies when she was still at school, flying back from holiday to meet with the casting directors.
What was her big break into acting?
Ellie holds the prestigious title of being the youngest ever member of The London Players’ Theatre group, winning the role of Young Jenny aged 12 in esteemed director Sir Trevor Nunn’s play, Aspects of Love. After enjoying an illustrious career on the stage, she made the jump to the big screen, starring in The Falling alongside Maisie Williams, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Nocturnal Animals. She’s got two more films due out next year, Extracurricular Activities and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, co-starring Keira Knightley, so expect to be seeing more of her…
Has she ever been nominated for any awards?
The rising star was nominated for the Evening Standard’s Best Newcomer in a Musical Award for her turn as badly-behaved teenager Dinah Lord in The Old Vic’s production High Society in 2015.
Who are her favourite designers?
Ellie is quickly becoming a darling of the fashion world thanks to her impeccable dress sense and unique look; she sat front row at the Chanel Metiers d’Art show in Rome last year, was a guest at Miu Miu's Woman's Tales party in Venice and was even complimented by Tom Ford for her sense of style on her first day on set for Nocturnal Animals. She regularly shares her pitch-perfect outfits on her Instagram account.
So what is her Instagram handle?
For a glimpse inside Ellie’s world – including numerous shots of her travels, clothes and co-stars – follow her at @elliebamber_.
SEE MORE: 46 Amazing Up-And-Coming Actors To Look Out For This Year