Jemima West

Jemima West
Born 11 August 1987
France
Alma mater Paris-Sorbonne University
(in History of Art)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1999–present
Known for Maison Close
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Jemima West (born 11 August 1987) is an Anglo-French actress. She is bilingual, growing up most of her life in Paris, France.[1][2][3] She is best known for her role as Isabelle Lightwood in the The Mortal Instruments series City of Bones. She also appeared in the second season of The Borgias as Vittoria.

Early life

West was born to English parents. Her father is an accountant and her mother is a business interpreter. When she was five years old, her parents relocated to Paris, France. She attended the Sorbonne and graduated in History of Art while taking acting classes in the evening. She can speak both French and English. Although she has described herself as completely English and has said that she has an easier time working in her mother tongue, she has stated Paris is her home.[1]

Career

West made her acting debut at the age of 12 and she starred in the 1999 film Joan Of Arc, directed by Luc Besson. She later on starred in the short film I'm an Actrice directed by Maiwenn, and also starred in the third season of the Canadian television series, 15 Love.

West later went on to star in the French television shows Ben & Thomas, Trouble Paradis and R.I.S. Police Scientifique, Josephine Ange Gardien which was followed by her second film role in King Guillaume, co-starring alongside Florence Foresti.

In 2009, West starred in Paradis Criminel, a two-part thiller mini-series entitled Who Killed Little Red Riding Hood as Louisa. The mini-series was written and directed by Serge Meynard and went on to win 'Best mini-series' at the 2009 La Rochelle TV Film Festival, and garnered 3 million viewers on France 2 on August 22, 2012. The mini-series thus ranks as 8th best-rated fiction of the year on the channel.[4]

In 2010, West scored a role in the French mini-series Maison Close, in which she presently stars in as Rose, a young country girl forced to work for her freedom in a brothel. She stars alongside Anne Charrier and Valérie Karsenti.

West played Isabelle Lightwood[5] in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, a film adaptation of the first book in the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments, written by Cassandra Clare. West co-starred alongside Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Robert Sheehan. The film was released on August 21.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Girl
2004 I'm an Actrice Fille casting Short film
2009 King Guillaume King Guillaume Short film
2009 Paradis Criminel: Who Killed Little Red Riding Hood Louisa France 2, mini-series
2010 Demain je me marie Emilie TV movie
2011 La Morte Amoureuse Marguerite des Ravalets Short film
2011 JC comme Jésus Christ Jemima International title: Play It Like Godard
2012 Lines of Wellington Maureen
2012 Et ton père…! Fleur
2013 Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, TheThe Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Isabelle Lightwood
2014 United Passions Annette Rimet
2014 Kidnapping Freddy Heineken Sonja Holleeder

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 15/Love Cassidy Payne YTV, series regular (season 3)
2007 R.I.S. Police scientifique Chloé Muller TF1, episode: "Dépendances"
2008 Grand Star Solveg Space, 3 episodes
Ben et Thomas Liselott Karlsson France 4, Series regular
2009 Éternelle Carla M6, mini-series, 1 episode
Joséphine, ange gardien Pauline TF1, episode : "Joséphine fait de la résistance"
Camping Paradis Shirley TF1, 1 episode
2010–2013 Maison Close Rose Canal+, Series regular
2012 The Borgias Vittoria Showtime, 4 episodes
As Linhas de Torres Vedras Maureen France 3, mini-series based on "Lines of Wellington" film
2015 Indian Summers Alice Whelan Main role

References

External links