Andrea Louise Riseborough (born 27 October 1981) is an English actress. Riseborough grew up in Whitley Bay,England. In reference to The Long Walk To Finchley, she has described her parents as "working class Thatcherites". At an early age, she appeared at the People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, where she appeared in the play Riding England Sidesaddle by Christopher Goulding, playing Celia Fiennes. Riseborough spent her schooldays at the independent school, Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School on Tankerville Terrace in Jesmond. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2005. Her sister Laura studies acting at the East 15 Acting School.