Rebecca Ferguson biography, husband, age, net worth, height, baby 2025

Rebecca Ferguson Biography

Rebecca Ferguson (full name Rebecca Louisa Ferguson Sundström) is a Swedish actress who the press often calls the second Ingrid Bergman. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work in "The White Queen" series, and her role as Ilsa in the blockbuster "Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation" brought her worldwide fame. She's also known for playing Jessica Atreides in Denis Villeneuve's blockbuster "Dune" and starring as Juliette Nichols in the series "Silo".

Childhood and Early Years

The actress's mother, Rosemary Ferguson, a British woman, moved to Sweden in her youth, where she met her future husband and father of her four children, a Swede by nationality. The actress also has Irish and Scottish roots on her mother's side. Rebecca was born in Stockholm in the fall of 1983. Unfortunately, the international marriage fell apart fairly quickly – Rebecca was just a tiny child.

The girl grew up as a true little lady: she studied music, took ballet lessons, mastered Argentine tango and tap dancing. She started at an English-speaking school and finished at a Swedish one, which allowed her to master both languages perfectly. The actress credits her parents for all of this. Even though they lived separately, both her mother and father paid close attention to her well-rounded development and supported her in everything.

At 13, photographers noticed the girl with her unusual, memorable appearance and invited her to work as a photo model for local glossy magazines and clothing catalogs. But ambitious Rebecca unexpectedly chose an acting career over a successful modeling one.

In her youth Rebecca Ferguson was a model

Acting Career

In 1999, Rebecca took her mom's advice and showed up to audition for the series "New Times." The fifteen-year-old girl instantly caught the acting bug. This role made her famous throughout Sweden, and her subsequent performances in "Ocean Avenue" and "Drowning Ghost" solidified her success. By 16, Rebecca was already living independently and paying her own bills. The young woman loved living alone. The sudden fame didn't go to her head – quite the opposite, the young actress was incredibly hardworking.

Rebecca Ferguson's first role (New Times)

At some point, the young actress grew tired of the spotlight and decided to take a creative break to focus on her personal life. At 22, she became a mother, but we'll get to that story in just a bit.

Rebecca returned to work in the early 2010s, starring in Richard Hobert's drama "A One-Way Trip to Antibes."

Behind-the-scenes photos from A One-Way Trip to Antibes

After this film, the actress was invited to audition for a role in the historical series about the War of the Roses, "The White Queen." Rebecca's aristocratic beauty didn't go unnoticed, and she landed the role of Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV. Her co-star was actor Aneurin Barnard. After the show aired, the Swedish actress gained international recognition and earned a Golden Globe nomination.

The series itself received a lukewarm reception from viewers, but Rebecca was thrilled – her dream of starring in a British project had finally come true (after all, she's half-British!) and playing in a major historical production. The actress was approved after her very first audition, and everything happened so fast that she didn't even understand how she "evolved from a commoner to a queen."

In 2014, filming began on the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible blockbuster franchise. Tom Cruise himself, the franchise's longtime leading man, wanted Rebecca as his co-star after seeing her in "The White Queen" – and he wasn't wrong. Despite her refined appearance, the woman turned out to be a real superhero.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation: Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust

She made sure not to be outdone by her famous co-star and performed almost all the incredibly complex stunts herself. That jump from the Vienna Opera House window alone! To achieve such results, the actress had to dedicate a grueling month and a half to training.

On the set of Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

She learned the basics of martial arts, trained with various weapons, and did daily physical conditioning. Rebecca still fondly remembers this work and Tom Cruise's caring attitude toward her.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation | Character Profile: Rebecca Ferguson

There were even rumors that romantic feelings developed between them during filming. By that time, the actress had already split from her child's father. Now she has a new boyfriend and plenty of promising Hollywood projects ahead, including the sixth Mission film that made her a global star.

In 2016, audiences could see Rebecca Ferguson in the psychological thriller "The Girl on the Train," and in early 2017 in the sci-fi horror "Life" alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds.

LIFE - Official Trailer

That same year, Rebecca joined Michael Fassbender in the crime drama "The Snowman" and Hugh Jackman in the biographical musical "The Greatest Showman."

Rebecca Ferguson and Jake Gyllenhaal at the Life movie premiere

In "The Snowman," based on Jo Nesbø's novel, Rebecca landed the role of detective Hole's partner, Katrine Bratt. The thriller's director was Tomas Alfredson, who previously made the horror film "Let Me In" – one of Rebecca's favorite movies, after which she'd long dreamed of working with Alfredson. Ferguson admitted she usually works with impulsive directors who have explosive personalities, while Alfredson is a classic introvert. "I love how he takes any scene that looks bland on paper and turns it into something so striking."

And filming alongside Michael Fassbender was pure pleasure for her:

He's not just a handsome actor – he's fascinating to watch. When I saw films with him, I'd imagine what it would be like acting opposite him. Plus he's incredibly funny, constantly joking around, laughing, and singing all the time. Seriously, all the time.

In "The Greatest Showman," Rebecca played the world's greatest opera singer. Real opera artist Loren Allred had to provide the vocals instead of her, but Ferguson still trained with everything she had.

Loren Allred sang instead of Rebecca Ferguson in The Greatest Showman

In 2018, the sixth Mission: Impossible film hit theaters, where the actress returned in her familiar role. Despite an aging Tom Cruise and a tired plot, the movie proved commercially successful.

The fantasy film "The Kid Who Would Be King" quietly premiered, where she was paired with up-and-coming actor Tom Taylor, known for his roles in "The Dark Tower" and "The Last Kingdom" series. The actress also appeared in the new "Men in Black" installment, where the cast was joined by Chris Hemsworth, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson. Rebecca landed the role of Riza, an alien arms dealer.

Rebecca was demonically beautiful and dangerous as the main antagonist in the horror film "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to the cult classic "The Shining" by Stephen King. Ferguson described her character as a "seductive and ruthless leader" and admitted that while preparing for filming, she studied the biographies of female serial killers.

Rose The Hat Entrance Scene | Doctor Sleep

In August 2021, the drama "Reminiscence" premiered, reuniting Rebecca with Hugh Jackman on set. Ferguson plays a femme fatale who turns a private detective's world upside down – all set against the near-apocalyptic backdrop of the not-so-distant future.

That September saw the release of the sci-fi blockbuster "Dune," where Ferguson plays a key female role. Lady Jessica, mother of the protagonist (Timothée Chalamet), follows her husband and son to the desert planet Arrakis on the galactic emperor's orders, knowing their family will become targets of court intrigue – since Arrakis is the only planet where the substance melange is harvested, a spice that grants humans superhuman abilities. Ferguson's portrayal of Paul's mother, delivered with rare depth and power, became one of the film's greatest strengths.

"Dune": Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica

In 2022, the actress voiced an artificial intelligence in the eight-episode futuristic thriller podcast "Spark Hunter." "She's a machine with evolving consciousness, created to explore the nature of human ethics in the most universal quest: finding one's purpose in the world," the project's creators described her character.

In May, the sci-fi series "Silo" launched on Apple TV+, where Ferguson not only starred as engineer Juliette Nichols but also served as executive producer.

The project, based on Hugh Howey's trilogy about humanity's last survivors who've been living in an underground bunker for hundreds of years, has received rave reviews from both critics and audiences.

Rebecca Ferguson in work overalls stands in a dimly lit industrial space, looking straight ahead — Rebecca Ferguson in "Silo"

This summer, viewers saw Rebecca in the seventh installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise ("Dead Reckoning Part One").

In March 2024, "Dune: Part Two" hit theaters, with Ferguson reprising her role as Lady Jessica. The film performed successfully at the box office and earned nearly unanimous critical acclaim.

November 2024 brought the long-awaited premiere of "Silo" season two. Ten new episodes, released weekly through January 2025, deepened the show's mysterious atmosphere and showcased Ferguson's acting prowess as a woman willing to tear down the foundations of her world in search of truth.

"Silo". Season 3. Filming underwater scene

December 2024 brought exciting news: Apple TV+ renewed "Silo" for both third and fourth seasons, with the fourth being the final one. This reportedly gives the creators room to properly wrap up the book trilogy adaptation.

Rebecca Ferguson's Personal Life

Little is known about the actress's personal life: from 2005, she was in a relationship with Ludwig Hallberg. After wrapping the series "Nya tider," Rebecca and Ludwig moved to the coastal town of Simrishamn. Their son Isaac was born there in 2007, and Rebecca temporarily stepped away from screens. The couple split in 2015.

In 2016, the actress began dating Rory St. Clair Gainer. He's far from the showbiz world – he runs his own business.

Rebecca Ferguson and Rory St. Clair Gainer sitting in a hall with neon lighting — Rebecca Ferguson and her husband Rory St. Clair Gainer (2021)

On May 22, 2018, Rebecca gave birth to a daughter named Sage.

Rebecca Ferguson during her second pregnancy

Later that year, Rebecca and Rory tied the knot. The ceremony was intimate and homey. The couple rented a countryside cottage and celebrated with their closest friends and family, trading traditional wedding attire for rubber boots and warm sweaters. Rebecca's son Isaac, then sixteen, served as ring bearer.

Rebecca Ferguson with her husband and daughter (2020)

Rory Gainer shuns the spotlight, preferring to stay in the shadows of his wife's fame. While he occasionally accompanies Rebecca to premieres and social events, he leaves the red carpets to her. But in everyday life, he's actively involved in creating her looks – for the "Dune: Part Two" premiere, he bought her a set of silver dog collars from a pet store that perfectly complemented her bold lace ensemble.

Rebecca Ferguson poses outdoors in a long sheer black dress with lace and high patent leather boots. — Rebecca Ferguson at the "Dune: Part Two" premiere

The family lives in Richmond in southwest London, choosing the location for its proximity to Pinewood and Shepperton Studios. Rory works as a director for several British companies, including 71 Fernhead Road Limited, which gives him flexibility to plan his work schedule and travel with the family when needed.

Rebecca Ferguson Now

The years 2025-2026 promised to be packed for the actress. January 2026 was set to bring the premiere of Timur Bekmambetov's sci-fi thriller "Mercy," where Rebecca stars alongside Chris Pratt.

Beyond filming seasons 3 and 4 of "Silo," the actress also joined the film adaptation of Enid Blyton's children's books "The Magic Faraway Tree" as the villain – the aggressive headmistress Dame Snap.

It was also revealed back in summer 2024 that Ferguson joined the cast of the upcoming "Peaky Blinders" film.

And December 2026 should see the third "Dune" film hit theaters. If the project moves forward, this will complete the actress's journey through Frank Herbert's universe.

Rebecca Ferguson: latest news and articles

Venice Film Festival Selects 2025's Best Films — Here's Who's Competing for the Prize
22 Jul 2025

Michael Campbell

Exactly, she played in «The Greatest Showman» somehow did not immediately recognize :) I was glad to learn something new about the actress, maybe I`ll watch something with her

2021-04-26 15:00:04
Betty Woods

I like the film«Vi». I wish more films like this one will come soon!

2021-04-11 09:11:40
Eric Jordan Patterson

Well, she will be okay, the main thing is not to waste time on bad roles

2021-04-03 09:19:37
Deborah Drake

Rebecca is still fighting for a good role but without success

2021-04-02 19:02:16
Michael Hampton

For some reason, you can`t immediately notice her in the cinema, although there are worthwhile films with her role

2021-03-30 21:46:42

Photos: Rebecca Ferguson