Kimberly Jaraj was born and raised in London. After attending the Royal Ballet School for many years, she decided that ballet was not the career for her and went on to study drama at school and university, as well as attending the Stella Adler Studio for a three-month intensive course. Kimberley has appeared in many stage plays, as well as in television shows like Casualty, Doctors andCasanova. Feature-wise, she had roles in critically acclaimed feature film comedy I Can’t Think Straight, BFI festival winner The Run and World War II drama Iron Cross starring the late Roy Sheider. Kimberley will next be seen in thriller I The Lost and horror Airborne.

What training have you received?
I trained in various vocations at The Royal Ballet School from the ages of 8-16. When I finished my A levels I did intensive courses at the Stella Adler Studio in New York City and at RADA. I then read English and Drama at York University, where I was fortunate enough to be taught by some great directors including Max Stafford-Clark.

What kind of roles attract you?
I love period drama and think that it is one of the genres the British are especially brilliant at. But I am attracted to lots of different roles. Over the course of my career I would like to play a diverse range of characters from comedic to dramatic, heroines to villains.

What’s the best advice that you’ve been given as an actor?
To persevere! And also to remember something I have been told many a time, ‘They pay you to wait, the acting you do for free!’

Tell us the most significant moment in your career so far…
When I got my first pay cheque. I couldn’t believe that someone was paying me to do what I love.

You’ll die happy when…
I’ve had a long, fulfilling career. And an Oscar on my mantelpiece.