Quick answer: Emma Laird is a British actress who rose to prominence playing Iris across 21 episodes of Paramount+’s Mayor of Kingstown (2021–2024). Since then, she has appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice, the Oscar-nominated The Brutalist, and Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later. Her estimated net worth is $500,000–$1 million.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Emma Laird |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | England (some sources suggest Scotland — not officially confirmed) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known For | Mayor of Kingstown, 28 Years Later, The Brutalist |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse / Partner | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Est. $500K–$1M (third-party estimate; not confirmed by Laird) |
| @emmalaird (~126K followers) | |
| Current Status | Active — BBC’s Mint (2025) in production |
Who Is Emma Laird?
Some actors spend years waiting for their moment. Emma Laird didn’t have to wait long.
The British actress broke onto the international scene with a recurring role in Paramount+’s gritty crime drama Mayor of Kingstown, holding her own opposite Hollywood veterans Jeremy Renner and Dianne Wiest for 21 episodes across three seasons. From there, she moved quickly — an acclaimed Kenneth Branagh mystery, an Oscar-nominated period epic, and a long-awaited horror sequel followed in short succession.
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As of 2025, emma laird is among the most talked-about emerging British talents in film and television. Variety named her one of their Top Ten ‘Brits to Watch’ back in 2021 — a list she shared with Bridgerton star Simone Ashley and Mercury Prize-winning musician Celeste. That early recognition, it turns out, was well-placed.
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Early Life and Background
Emma Laird was born in England, though some online sources suggest a Scottish birthplace — a discrepancy that has not been officially clarified by Laird or her representatives. Her exact date of birth, age, and family background remain private; she has not shared these details publicly, and this article won’t speculate where verified information doesn’t exist.
What is clear is that Laird developed a passion for performance early. Rather than pursuing a traditional conservatoire route in the UK, she made a bold and relatively unusual decision: she crossed the Atlantic.
Education and Training: New York Film Academy
Emma Laird trained at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), graduating from the New York City campus in 2016, according to NYFA (nyfa.edu). The institution — founded in 1992 on a “learning by doing” philosophy — has produced a notable roster of working actors and filmmakers, and is known for its immersive, project-based curriculum.
Choosing NYFA over a conventional drama school speaks to something in Laird’s approach. The New York Film Academy places actors on camera from day one, prioritizing practical technique over theory. For a performer who would go on to work with directors like Kenneth Branagh and Danny Boyle, that hands-on foundation appears to have served her well.
Career Beginnings: From Modelling to Acting
Before landing major television roles, Laird built a profile across both modelling and independent film. In 2022, she appeared on the cover of FOXES digital magazine — an early signal of a public presence extending beyond her on-screen work.
Her feature film debut came with the independent production Satisfaction, in which she played the lead role of Lola. Independent films are rarely glamorous stepping stones, but they’re often where actors do some of their most honest work, and Satisfaction gave Laird room to anchor a narrative from start to finish — experience that would prove invaluable as larger roles came her way.
Mayor of Kingstown and the Role That Changed Everything
If there’s a single project that put Emma Laird on the map, it’s Mayor of Kingstown.
The Paramount+ crime drama, created by Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, is set in a Michigan town where the prison industry dominates every facet of life. It’s a dark, layered show — and Laird’s character, Iris, sits right at the centre of some of its most emotionally demanding storylines.
Laird appeared in 21 episodes across the show’s run from 2021 to 2024. Working alongside Jeremy Renner — who was simultaneously one of the biggest action stars in the world — and the legendary Dianne Wiest required a certain fearlessness. Critics and audiences took notice. The role demonstrated that Laird could carry dramatic weight in a prestige television environment, and that she wasn’t intimidated by the company around her.
It also arrived at exactly the right moment. In 2021, Variety named her one of their Top Ten ‘Brits to Watch,’ alongside Simone Ashley (who would go on to lead Bridgerton Season 2) and Celeste. The industry was paying attention.
Film Work: The Brutalist, A Haunting in Venice, and More
Television success opened film doors. Emma Laird has since accumulated a film résumé that most actors twice her experience would envy.
A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Kenneth Branagh’s third Hercule Poirot adaptation, based loosely on Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party, is a gothic mystery set in post-war Venice. Laird appeared in the ensemble cast alongside Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Kelly Reilly. Landing a role in a major studio release helmed by one of Britain’s most decorated directors represented a significant step up.
The Brutalist (2024)
Perhaps her most prestigious credit to date. Brady Corbet’s sweeping, three-and-a-half-hour epic The Brutalist earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Adrien Brody won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the film.
Emma Laird plays Audry in The Brutalist — a supporting role, but one that places her within one of the most acclaimed films of recent years. For an actress still early in her career, appearing in a film of that cultural weight is the kind of association that shapes a long-term reputation.
28 Years Later and Upcoming Projects
28 Years Later (2025)
Danny Boyle’s return to the world he helped create with 28 Days Later is one of the most anticipated horror releases in years. Emma Laird stars in the film, which picks up — as the title suggests — nearly three decades after the original rage virus outbreak reshaped Britain.
The project doesn’t stop there. Laird is set to continue her role into the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. Being cast across both films in an established franchise is a vote of confidence from two of the most respected directors working in genre cinema today.
Mint (BBC, 2025)
In early 2025, Laird was cast in Mint, an upcoming BBC dramedy. Details remain limited, but a BBC commission represents a return to British television at the highest domestic level — and signals that her profile at home is rising as quickly as it is internationally.
Career Timeline
| Year | Project | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Graduates NYFA, New York Campus | Training complete (source: nyfa.edu) |
| 2021 | Mayor of Kingstown begins | Iris — 21 episodes, Paramount+ |
| 2021 | Variety ‘Brits to Watch’ | Listed alongside Simone Ashley & Celeste |
| 2022 | FOXES Magazine | Cover feature |
| 2022–2024 | Mayor of Kingstown continues | Seasons 2 & 3 |
| 2023 | A Haunting in Venice | Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot film |
| 2024 | The Brutalist | Audry — Oscar-nominated film |
| 2024 | Satisfaction | Lead role: Lola |
| 2025 | 28 Years Later | Danny Boyle’s horror sequel |
| 2025 | 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Confirmed continuation |
| 2025 | Mint (BBC) | Cast announced early 2025 |
Personal Life
Emma Laird keeps her personal life firmly out of the spotlight. Her relationship status, family background, and personal relationships have not been publicly confirmed, and she has not addressed these topics in interviews. Her exact date of birth and age remain similarly private.
What she has shared publicly — primarily through her Instagram account, @emmalaird, which has approximately 126,000 followers — tends to focus on her work, without offering much of a window into her off-screen life. That restraint is increasingly rare in an industry that rewards oversharing, and for Laird, it seems to be a deliberate choice.
Net Worth and Earnings
Emma Laird’s net worth is estimated at between $500,000 and $1 million, based on third-party assessments of her television and film work. This figure has not been publicly confirmed by Laird or her representatives, and should be understood as an approximation rather than a verified figure.
Her income sources include her recurring role on Mayor of Kingstown, her film appearances in productions like The Brutalist and A Haunting in Venice, and modelling work. As her film commitments grow — particularly with the 28 Years Later franchise and upcoming BBC work — those estimates are likely to rise.
What’s Next for Emma Laird?
The trajectory here is hard to ignore. Within four years of breaking through on Mayor of Kingstown, Emma Laird has appeared in an Oscar-nominated film, a major studio mystery directed by Kenneth Branagh, one of the year’s most anticipated horror releases, and secured a BBC commission. That’s not luck — it’s the result of consistent, credible work across formats and genres.
She remains selective, private, and — based on the projects she’s attaching her name to — increasingly discerning about the company she keeps on screen. For audiences, that means every new Emma Laird credit is worth paying attention to.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Laird
How old is Emma Laird?
Emma Laird’s exact date of birth and age have not been publicly confirmed. Based on her 2016 graduation from the New York Film Academy (nyfa.edu), she is estimated to be in her late 20s to early 30s, but this has not been verified.
Where is Emma Laird from?
Emma Laird is British. Most sources indicate she is from England, though some have suggested a Scottish background. Her exact birthplace has not been officially confirmed.
What is Emma Laird’s role in 28 Years Later?
Emma Laird stars in Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later (2025) and is set to reprise her role in the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta.
What is Emma Laird’s net worth?
Emma Laird’s net worth is estimated at $500,000–$1 million, based on third-party assessments of her television and film career. This figure has not been confirmed by Laird herself.
Where did Emma Laird train as an actress?
Emma Laird graduated from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) New York Campus in 2016, according to nyfa.edu. NYFA is known for its hands-on, project-based approach to screen acting.
What was Emma Laird’s role in The Brutalist?
Emma Laird played Audry in The Brutalist (2024), directed by Brady Corbet. The film earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and Adrien Brody won Best Actor for his leading performance.
Emma Clarke is a content writer at Gaukurinn.is, specializing in celebrity news, pop culture, movies, and music. With a strong focus on accuracy and trending topics, she creates engaging and well-researched articles that keep readers informed and entertained.
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