Thomasin McKenzie – Rising Star of Film and Television| Naazarabox.com

🎭 Profile

• Full Name: Thomasin Katherin Helen Harcourt McKenzie

• Born: 26 July 2000, Wellington, New Zealand en.wikipedia.org+15en.wikipedia.org+15harpersbazaar.com+15

• Nationality: New Zealander

• Occupation: Actress

• Active Years: 2012–present issuemagazine.comen.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1

🧬 Early Life & Background

• Daughter of actress/acting coach Miranda Harcourt and director Stuart McKenzie; granddaughter of esteemed actress Kate Harcourt articlebio.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13popsugar.com+13.

• Grew up with three siblings, including actress sister Davida McKenzie. imdb.com+13imdb.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13

• Educated at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, graduating in 2018 imdb.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3imdb.com+3.

• Initially uninterested in acting, once aspiring to be a vet or lawyer—her passion developed after early TV work, notably Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story issuemagazine.com+5popsugar.com+5elle.com+5.

🎬 Career Milestones

Debut & Rise (2012–2018)

• First screen appearance in Existence (2012) alongside her brother forbes.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15gcm.co.nz+15.

• Minor role in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) imdb.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.

• Recurring role as Pixie in NZ soap Shortland Street (2015) and lead in web series Lucy Lewis Can’t Lose (2016) en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4issuemagazine.com+4.

• Breakthrough performance in Leave No Trace (2018), earning National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance and other critical accolades theguardian.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7zoomboola.com+7.

International Success (2019–2021)

• Starred in The King (2019) as Queen Philippa, and featured in True History of the Kelly Gang zoomboola.com+10en.wikipedia.org+10tvinsider.com+10.

• Played Elsa Korr in Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit (2019), receiving critical acclaim theguardian.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14gcm.co.nz+14.

• Took lead roles in psychological thrillers: Old (M. Night Shyamalan, 2021) and Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho (2021) tvinsider.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14elle.com+14.

• Appeared in the Oscar-nominated The Power of the Dog (2021) forbes.com+1articlebio.com+1.

Recent & Upcoming Work (2022–Present)

• Lead as Ursula in BBC’s Life After Life miniseries (2022) tvinsider.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3gcm.co.nz+3.

• Starred in psychological thriller Eileen (2023), and biopic Joy (2024), playing embryologist Jean Purdy vogue.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4.

• Featured as lead in Totally Completely Fine (2023) and Pantheon animation (voice role) en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.

• 

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance for Leave No Trace (2018) tvguide.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8zoomboola.com+8

• Numerous critics’ nominations and wins across 2018–2020 for standout performances

🌱 Personal & Artistic Approach

• Strongly identifies as Kiwi and committed to NZ film industry elle.com.

• Known for thoughtful character immersion—researched Holocaust history rigorously for Jojo Rabbit, even touring Theresienstadt and reading Anne Frank’s diary gcm.co.nz+9popsugar.com+9biog.com+9.

• Prefers roles with depth, often in psychological/thriller genres, and values authentic storytelling .

• Featured in Forbes “30 Under 30 – Asia” in Entertainment & Sports (2022) forbes.com.

🎯 Summary

$Thomasin McKenzie, a third-generation actress from New Zealand, has rapidly become an international talent since her breakout in Leave No Trace. Acclaimed for her roles in Jojo Rabbit, Last Night in Soho, and Eileen, she is celebrated for bringing emotional authenticity and depth to complex characters. With diverse performances in film and TV, and a keen dedication to her Kiwi roots, she stands out as a rising star with both critical credibility and creative integrity.*