Spotlight On: Rose Byrne

Landing her first feature film role at the age of 12, Rose Byrne had the immediate good fortune to be working with the notorious Sandra Bernhard; for surely, working along side such a distinct and strong actress taught her how to make her presence felt. For the next 8 years Rose would then work steadily in a variety of film and television roles learning the craft. She even worked with Heath Ledger during the same year he starred in the indie film “10 Things I Hate About You.” Unlike Heath who began a super streak readily visible to every one, Rose pursued a determined path as she set out to conquer both television and film.

Rose as Briseis alongside Brad Pitt in 'Troy'

Then, in 2002, Rose scored a minor but significant role in the sci-fi film Star Wars: Episode II playing Dorme, the handmaiden to Natalie Portman’s character, Padme. This role was pivotal in introducing her to Sofia Coppola, who would later cast her in the film Marie Antoinette. But before Sofia Coppola could showcase her remarkable talents, Rose continued her astute journey towards leading film roles working along side Matt Dillon in City of Ghosts, co-starring with Marc Blucas and Bill Nighy in I Capture the Castle, and best of all, scoring the memorable role of Briseis in the epic film Troy, the priestess rescued by Brad Pitt’s character, Achilles, who captured his heart.

Tackling next a darker role, Rose played Alex in the wicked love triangle in the film Wicker Park with Josh Hartnett and Diane Kruger (who she had co-starred in Troy, with Diane playing the infamous Helen of Troy). Rose then moved on to a three episode arc in the British television series Casanova, which starred Peter O’Toole and David Tennant (of Doctor Who fame).

Just as her career was really beginning to build momentum, Rose took on the industrious task of starring in seven films in a 4 year period. She co-starred in Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunst, she played a fellow scientist alongside Cillian Murphy in the sci-fi indie Sunshine, scored the key role of Scarlet in 28 Weeks Later (the sequel to the film that made Cillian Murphy famous), and also played the romantic love interest of Hugh Dancy in the film Adam. She also managed to find the time to work with Nicolas Cage in the film Knowing.

The poster for 'Damages' second season / FX

Astoundingly, right in the midst of all these films, Rose simultaneously landed the role for which she would become known around the globe: the eager young, and naïve attorney Ellen Parsons on Damages. Playing against Glenn Close, Ted Danson, Tate Donovan and Zeljko Ivanek, Rose had the role of a lifetime. It was the image of her running out of a hotel clutching a blood stained dress that caught the imagination of the television audience. Rose’s portrayal of Ellen Parsons was mesmerizing. Her wide-eyed innocence belied a heart of steel and a mind of razor-sharp edge that was able to weave through the tangled web of deceit that Patty Hewes had created.

For anyone who has seen Rose in any of the many amazing roles she has portrayed, you remember one thing: her. She is simply riveting. Her luminous dark eyes draw you in and make you want to be a part of the world she inhabits for a while. She also radiates such goodness that it is always shocking to find that her characters are not always the embodiment of goodness. This duality allows her a wider range of roles and challenges the audience as we are never sure who she is and what she is up to. Hence, we simply cannot get enough of watching Rose as she dances across the screen, television or film. May she continue to entrance us all.

Damages airs Monday nights at 10:00 p.m. on FX and returns on January 25, 2010.