Actress and model Rachel Hurd-Wood started her career at the age of 12 when her grandparents prompted her to follow up with a television ad that said director P.J. Hogan was searching for a "young English rose" for the upcoming Peter Pan adaptation.
This role of Wendy in Peter Pan would act as a catalyst for the young actor, and from there, she would land roles in other classical adaptations, including Dorian Gray and Solomon Kane. In addition, Rachel Hurd-Wood would showcase her abilities in British TV series like Clique and Home Fires.
From a remarkable breakthrough as Wendy in Peter Pan to leading lady, we look at the best Rachel Hurd-Wood Performances, ranked to our top pick.
10 For Love or Money
Billed as an 'unromantic comedy,' For Love or Money follows Mark, who is expecting a 20 million inheritance and to marry his lifelong crush Connie (Samantha Barks). However, when Mark learns that his bride-to-be is plotting against him behind his back to get his wealth, he decides to craft his own unique revenge against Connie.
Rachel Hurd-Wood plays the role of Kendra in For Love or Money, who is an ex-friend of Connie. Along with Mark's best friend Tim (Tony Way), the three work together to plot against Connie.
9 Beautiful Devils
A retelling of the classic Shakespearean playOthello, Beautiful Devils contemporary take follows a musician named Oz (Osy Ikhile) and the turbulence of leading his band to go solo. The film also follows Oz's romance with a classical pianist named Lily (Gina Bramhill) who is already in a relationship with Oz's ex-bandmate, Christian (Elliot James Langridge). Rachel Wood-Hurd plays the role of Marianne in Beautiful Devils, best friend and confidant to Lily.
8 Dorian Gray (2009)
One of the most recognized stories from classic literature, Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray has seen multiple adaptations and references across pop culture. Following the mystery behind a man who never ages while a portrait of his image rots, Dorian Gray speaks to the desire for immortality while raising questions of morality around obtaining such power.
In the 2009 adaptation of Dorian Gray, directed by Oliver Parker and starring Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray, Rachel Hurd-Wood plays a small yet important part of Sibyl Vane. A tragic character, perfectly nailed by Hurd-Wood, Sibyl acts as Gray's first love and his first failure. Their brief time together changes Gray's persona and how he approaches others.
7 Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
The 2006 period piece/psychological thrillerPerfume: The Story of a Murderer tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), a troubled genius who has put himself on a homicidal path to find the perfect scent.
In Perfume: The Story of a Murder Rachel Hurd-Wood plays the role of Laura Richis, daughter of a wealthy merchant and the object of Grenounille's obsession. With the only woman with the 'perfect scent,' Grenounille becomes determined to capture her essence for himself. Rachel Hurd-wood plays the perfect muse to Whishaw's Grenounille, helping bring the original 1985 novel by Patrick Süskind to the screen.
6 Peter Pan (2003)
Rachel Hurd-Wood's debut at the age of 12 in the 2003 adaptation of Peter Pan certainly set the tone for the actor's later career, with many of her notable performances coming from classical works adapted or re-imagined. It is considered the most loyal adaptation of J.M. Barrie's play, embracing darker story elements than the Disney classic.
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Another noteworthy change in this adaptation is the greater focus on Wendy and Peter's relationship, which was largely pushed aside in the Disney cartoon movie. This placed Rachel Hurd-Wood at the center of attention in more ways than one, playing the lead Wendy. While Rachel Hurd-Wood would develop as an actor, it is an impressive debut for a young actor.
5 Tomorrow, When the War Began
In Tomorrow, When the War Began, Rachel Hurd-Wood plays the role of Corrie McKenzie, one of several teenagers who end up waging a war against a guerrilla force taking over their small town. Feeling reminiscent of Red Dawn, The Australian thriller brings an intense situation to a young group, finding their idyllic existence melt away under an invading force. Alongside Rachel Hurd-Wood, the film stars Caitlin Stasey, Lincoln Lewis, Deniz Akdeniz, Phoebe Tonkin, Chris Pang, and Ashleigh Cummings as the other surviving youth.
4 Solomon Kane
M.J. Basset's adaptation of Solomon Kane was meant to be a trilogy, with the initial movie acting as an origin story for the Robert E. Howard created Pulp hero. Solomon Kane's story is about finding redemption, as Kane (James Purefoy) decides to take a different path after learning that his soul is hell-bound for his time as a mercenary. Rachel Hurd-Wood plays a vital role as Meredith Crowthorn in the entertaining action flick. Meredith is a Puritan girl who becomes Kane's chance to redeem his soul by saving her from danger.
3 Highway to Dhampus
A romantic drama set in Nepal, Highway to Dhampus centers around a British socialite, Elizabeth James played by Rachel Hurd-Wood, who is looking for redemption. She heads to an orphanage to carry out charitable acts to help her image. However, when she arrives, the headmistress picks up on the shallowness behind Elizabeth's gestures. This sets off a chain of events that pulls in various people, including an American photographer named Colt Morgan (Gunner Wright).
Released in 2015, Highway to Dhampus would act as one of Rachel Hurd-Wood's most acclaimed roles in the 2010s, with the film picking up awards at both the Soho International Film Festival and the Madrid International Film Festival. This would also include Rachel Hurd-Wood's first award, taking best actress at the Madrid festival.
2 Clique
Rachel Hurd-Wood's involvement in the dark thriller British TV showClique, is a standout of the actor's time in TV. Leading with a strong female cast, the series focuses on childhood friends Holly (Synnove Karlsen) and Georgia (Aisling Franciosi), who reunite at university and join a prestigious internship program.
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The series explores the lives of several women, including Rachel Hurd-Wood, who plays the character Rachel Maddox. Clique explores themes such as female friendship, the effects of power and how it corrupts, and the draw of a party-heavy lifestyle. At two seasons and 12 episodes, Clique is the perfect weekend binge for those who love dark thrillers.
1 Hideaways
The fantasy thriller, Hideaways revolves around the Furlong Family, who have strange powers that must be kept from the world. James Furlong, played by Harry Treadaway, is the last of his kind. When he meets Mae-West O'mara (Rachel Hurd-Wood) he falls in love, but this is complicated by his need to keep his powers a secret from her to keep her safe.
Hideaways is an easy choice for the best performance from Rachel-Hurd Wood, called the 'heart of the film' and praised for her charisma and onscreen chemistry with Harry Treadway. Moreover, the film is a unique concept and execution, dealing with a family steeped in decades of tragedy with powers that always cause harm. Combining this with the standout performance from Rachel Hurd-Wood, Hideaways is a must-watch cinema for fans of the actor.
