Early life

Ashfield was born in Birmingham, England. She was educated at the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, in Birmingham, and was one of the first girls to join the sixth form of King Edward VI Five Ways. She appeared in As You Like It and was involved in a number of local youth theatre groups. She trained at Rose Bruford College.

Career

She has since appeared in many films, television and theatre productions. Her first film role came in 1994 as Ella in John Wells' film Princess Caraboo. One of Ashfield's first stage appearances was in the 1995 Royal Court Theatre production of Blasted by Sarah Kane and in 1996 controversially appeared topless in Mark Ravenhill's Shopping and Fucking.

She has since performed in numerous plays associated with the In-yer-face theatre movement, and was invited to speak on the subject at the University of the West of England's 2002 In-Yer-Face?: British Drama in the 1990s conference.

In 2009 she appeared in a short film "War School", raising awareness on the use of child soldiers. The film won the CTRL.ALT.SHIFT film competition, where the public were able to 'Take action' and buy a football, in which all proceeds went to the Coalition to Stop the use of Child Soldiers. She has featured in The Diary of Anne Frank and Collision, and will next work on the thriller Hush.

In April 2011, she appeared as the then Manchester United club secretary Alma George in the BBC TV drama United, which was centred on the Munich air disaster in 1958.

Selected filmography

• Secrets and Lies (2015) - Vanessa Turner
• Midsomer Murders (2013) - Helen Caxton
• Nymphomaniac (2013) - Therapist
• Byzantium (2012) - Gabi
• When the Lights Went Out (2012) - Jenny Maynard
• Line of Duty (2012, TV series) - Jools Gates
• 7 Lives (2011) - Cynthia
• New Tricks (2011, TV series) - Hilary Newell
• Silent Witness (2011, TV drama) - Chief Inspector Rebecca Woods
• United (2011, TV drama) - Alma George
• Late Bloomers (2011) - Giulia
• Agatha Christie's Poirot (2010, TV adaptation of Agatha Christie novel Three Act Tragedy) - Muriel Wills
• Collision (2009, five part ITV drama) - Ann Stallwood
• The Diary of Anne Frank (2009, five-part BBC drama) - Miep Gies
• The Children (2008 three-part ITV drama) - Natasha
• Never Better (2008, TV series) - Anita Merchant
• The Baker (2007) - Rhiannon
• Talk to Me (2007, TV series) - Kelly
• Random Quest (2006, TV) - Ottilie/Kate
• Leave Before the Lights Come On Video - Arctic Monkeys (2006) - Suicidal Lady
• Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006, TV) - Ellen
• The Best Man (2005, TV - released as Unhitched on US DVD) - Becka
• Secret Smile (2005, TV) - Miranda
• Fakers (2004) - Eve Evans
• Spivs (2004) - Jenny
• Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Liz
• Beyond Borders (2003) - Kat
• Pollyanna (2003) - Nancy
• Collusion (2003) - Sally Waterville
• Killing Hitler (2003, TV) - Rachel
• This Little Life (2003, TV) - Sadie MacGregor
• The Trouble with Men and Women (2003, TV) - Susie
• Pure (2002) - Helen
• Flyfishing (2002) - Helen
• Crime and Punishment (2002, miniseries) - Dounia
• Late Night Shopping (2001) - Jody
• Do or Die (2001, miniseries) - Samantha
• The Low Down (2000) - Ruby
• Storm Damage (2000, TV) - Kay
• Guest House Paradiso (1999) - Ms Hardy
• The War Zone (1999)
• Watership Down (TV series) (1999, TV series) - Primrose (Series 1/2 only)
• Closer (1998, stage) - Alice
• Woyzeck (1997, stage) - Marie
• Shopping and Fucking (1996, stage) - Lulu
• Soldier Soldier (1996) - Cate Hoobs
• Blasted (1995, stage) - Cate
• Princess Caraboo (1994) - Ella

Awards

• British Independent Film Award - Best actress (2001)
• Royal Television Society Television Award - Best actor: female (2004)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]