Imogen Poots is a British actress who rose to fame with her breakout role in the horror film 28 Weeks Later (2007). Born on June 3, 1989, in Hammersmith, London, she has built a versatile career spanning independent cinema, science fiction, and television. As of 2025, she stands approximately 5 feet 4½ inches (164 cm) tall and is currently single after ending a long-term engagement to actor James Norton in late 2023 or early 2024.
Originally intending to become a veterinarian, Poots discovered acting through improv workshops and deferred an art school place to pursue film. Over the past two decades, she has appeared in more than 50 film and television projects, earning critical acclaim for both lead and supporting roles. Her 2025 performances in The Chronology of Water and Hedda have been widely praised, with both films achieving 90% critics’ scores on Rotten Tomatoes. For a deeper look at another prominent British figure, you may find the Clive Owen – Biography, Movies and Net Worth in 2025 instructive.
Who Is Imogen Poots? (Biography & Background)
Key Insights
- Best known for playing Tammy Harris in 28 Weeks Later, which earned her a Most Promising Newcomer nomination.
- Portrayed Linda Keith, girlfriend of Jimi Hendrix, in the 2013 biopic Jimi: All Is by My Side.
- Contrary to a common myth, she did not appear in V for Vendetta.
- Maintains a public Instagram account (@impoots) and a separate art account called Misery Pocket.
- Was engaged to actor James Norton from 2022 until the relationship ended in late 2023 or early 2024.
Biographical Snapshot
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Imogen Gay Poots |
| Date of Birth | June 3, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, UK |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | British (English, Northern Irish, Scottish) |
| Height | 5 ft 4½ in (164 cm) |
| Parents | Fiona Goodall (journalist), Trevor Poots (television producer) |
| Siblings | Brother Alex Poots |
| Education | Bute House Preparatory School, Queen’s Gate School, Latymer Upper School; Youngblood Theatre Company |
| Known For | 28 Weeks Later, Need for Speed, The Chronology of Water |
Who Is Imogen Poots’ Partner? (Relationships & Personal Life)
Imogen Poots maintains a private personal life, but some details are publicly known. She was in a significant relationship with actor James Norton from around 2017. The couple became engaged in 2022, but their relationship ended in late 2023 or early 2024. As of 2025, she is reported as single with no public record of children.
While engagement and breakup dates are reported, Poots has not publicly confirmed the exact timeline. Some earlier reports linked her to journalist Oobah Butler, but those claims are not supported by the most recent sources.
Who Are Imogen Poots’ Parents?
Her mother, Fiona Goodall, is an English-born journalist. Her father, Trevor Poots, is a Northern Irish television producer. She also has a brother, Alex Poots, who works in the arts.
What Is Imogen Poots’ Ethnicity?
Poots has a mixed background of Northern Irish, English, and Scottish descent.
What Movies Has Imogen Poots Been In? (Filmography & Career)
Imogen Poots has appeared in over 50 film and television projects. Her breakout came with the 2007 horror sequel 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. She later starred in the video game adaptation Need for Speed (2014) alongside Aaron Paul, and the tense thriller Green Room (2015) which holds a 90% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Her filmography spans a wide range of genres, and for another perspective on a talented actor, the Sandra Oh – Biography, Age, Career, and Personal Life offers a compelling read.
Selected Film Highlights
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 28 Weeks Later | Tammy Harris | Breakout role; Most Promising Newcomer nomination |
| 2013 | Jimi: All Is by My Side | Linda Keith | Biopic co-starring André Benjamin |
| 2014 | Need for Speed | Julia Maddon | Video game adaptation |
| 2015 | Green Room | Amber | 90% RT critics’ score |
| 2019 | Vivarium | Gemma | Sci-fi horror with Jesse Eisenberg |
| 2020 | The Father | Supporting | Academy Award winner for Best Picture |
| 2023 | Baltimore (also Rose’s War) | Rose Dugdale | 88% RT critics’ score |
| 2024 | All of You | Laura | Romantic sci-fi with Brett Goldstein |
| 2025 | The Chronology of Water | Lidia Yuknavitch | Psychological drama; 90% RT critics’ score |
| 2025 | Hedda | Thea Clifton | Directed by Nia DaCosta; 90% RT critics’ score |
Television Roles
Poots has also made a mark on the small screen. She starred in the Showtime series Roadies (2016) and played the enigmatic Autumn in the Prime Video sci-fi neo-Western Outer Range (2022–2024) across 14 episodes. She also appeared in the HBO miniseries I Know This Much Is True (2020) and the drama The Teacher (2023).
Poots’ most celebrated 2025 role is as swimmer Lidia Yuknavitch in The Chronology of Water, Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut. The film earned her widespread praise and a 90% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Did Imogen Poots Appear in V for Vendetta?
No. A common misconception suggests she had a role in the 2005 political thriller V for Vendetta. Imogen Poots was 16 at the time of its release and is not listed in the cast. The confusion may stem from her surname similarity to other actors in the film.
Does Imogen Poots Use a Stage Name? (Name & Identity Check)
Her full birth name is Imogen Gay Poots. She performs professionally as Imogen Poots, dropping her middle name. This is not a stage name in the traditional sense—she simply uses her legal first and last name. There is no indication that she adopted a pseudonym for her career. The authoritative Wikipedia’s profile confirms her birth name and professional name usage.
Some viewers speculate that “Poots” is an unusual stage name, but it is her real family surname. Her father, Trevor Poots, is a television producer, and the name is of Northern Irish origin.
What Are the Key Milestones in Imogen Poots’ Career Timeline?
- 1989 – Born in Hammersmith, London.
- 2007 – Breakout role as Tammy Harris in 28 Weeks Later.
- 2013 – Portrayed Linda Keith in Jimi: All Is by My Side.
- 2014 – Starred in the blockbuster adaptation Need for Speed.
- 2015 – Released Green Room, which became a cult favorite with a 90% RT score.
- 2020 – Appeared in the Oscar-winning film The Father.
- 2022–2024 – Played Autumn in the Prime Video series Outer Range.
- 2025 – Received critical acclaim for The Chronology of Water and Hedda.
What Is Known and Unknown About Imogen Poots?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born in June 1989 in London. | Exact current relationship status (she is reported single, but not officially confirmed). |
| Starred in 28 Weeks Later, Need for Speed, Outer Range. | Whether she uses a stage name (her full name is Imogen Gay Poots, but she goes by Imogen Poots). |
| Did not appear in V for Vendetta. | Exact height varies between sources (5 ft 3 in to 5 ft 4½ in). |
| Instagram handle is @impoots; art account is @misery_pocket. | Nature of her relationship with Oobah Butler (unconfirmed). |
What Is the Background of Imogen Poots?
Imogen Poots grew up in London, the only daughter of a journalist mother and a television producer father. She attended all-girls schools—Bute House Preparatory, Queen’s Gate, and Latymer Upper—and trained at the Youngblood Theatre Company. Her early ambitions were in veterinary science, but she discovered acting through improv workshops and decided to defer her art school admission to pursue film. She has often been described as an actress who combines vulnerability with strength, and her choices reflect a preference for independent, challenging material over mainstream blockbusters.
Where Does Information About Imogen Poots Come From?
The most authoritative sources for biographical and career details include Wikipedia’s profile, IMDb’s filmography, and Rotten Tomatoes’ aggregated critic scores. Her personal social media presence—particularly Instagram @impoots—provides updates on upcoming projects. Bored Panda also compiled a detailed biography and highlights. For more on her acting journey, explore Wunmi Mosaku career. Wunmi Mosaku career
What Is the Overall Takeaway About Imogen Poots?
Imogen Poots remains one of the most versatile and critically respected British actresses of her generation. With a career beginning in horror and expanding into drama, science fiction, and television, she has consistently delivered strong performances. Her 2025 roles in The Chronology of Water and Hedda mark a career peak, and she continues to be a prominent figure in independent cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions About Imogen Poots
Is Imogen Poots married?
No public confirmation of marriage as of 2025.
Who are Imogen Poots’ parents?
Her mother is Fiona Goodall (journalist) and her father is Trevor Poots (television producer).
What is Imogen Poots’ height?
Approximately 5 ft 4½ in (164 cm).
Does Imogen Poots have an Instagram account?
Yes, @impoots and an art account @misery_pocket.
Was Imogen Poots in V for Vendetta?
No. That is a common misconception.
What is Imogen Poots best known for?
Her breakout role in 28 Weeks Later (2007) and her performances in Need for Speed, Green Room, and The Chronology of Water.
How old is Imogen Poots?
Born June 3, 1989, making her 35–36 years old as of 2025.
What TV shows has Imogen Poots starred in?
Notably Outer Range (2022–2024), Roadies (2016), and I Know This Much Is True (2020).
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.