Imogen Poots was born on June 3, 1989, in London, England. Her father, Trevor Poots, is a television producer originally from Northern Ireland, and her mother, Fiona Goodall, is a journalist. She has one sibling, an older brother named Alex, who has worked as a model.

Poots was educated in private schools throughout her childhood and teenage years. Initially, she aspired to become a veterinarian. However, that ambition changed dramatically after she joined an improvisational theater group and discovered her passion for acting. Her decision to leave veterinary pursuits behind was cemented after she fainted during a surgical observation—an experience that revealed her discomfort with medical procedures involving blood.

Early Acting Roles and Breakthrough

Poots made her television debut in a small role as Alice Thornton in the long-running BBC medical drama Casualty. Her first appearance on the big screen came in 2006 with a minor part as Young Valerie in James McTeigue’s acclaimed film V for Vendetta.

Her breakout role came in 2007 when she was cast as Tammy Harris in the post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film 28 Weeks Later. The movie grossed over $64 million worldwide and was well-received by both critics and audiences. The film marked a significant milestone for the then 18-year-old actress, allowing her to work alongside established talents such as Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, and Idris Elba. This role launched her career in film and drew attention to her emerging talent.

Film Career Highlights

Between 2008 and 2015, Imogen Poots appeared in more than twenty films across various genres. Her notable roles include performances in Neil Marshall’s historical action thriller Centurion and Tom Gormican’s romantic comedy That Awkward Moment alongside Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan.

One of her most commercially successful projects came in 2014 when she portrayed car broker Julia Maddon in the action film Need for Speed. Directed by Scott Waugh, the movie starred Aaron Paul, Michael Keaton, and Dominic Cooper. Need for Speed grossed over $200 million worldwide, further solidifying Poots as a rising actress in Hollywood.