From her haunting breakthrough in An Education to her transformative, Oscar-nominated performance in Maestro, Carey Mulligan has solidified her status as the “chameleon of British cinema.” Known for her delicate features and a voice that can convey a thousand years of history in a single sentence, she has avoided the trappings of typical Hollywood stardom to become one of the most respected actors of her generation.
As of early 2026, Carey is navigating a career peak, balancing prestigious indie projects with a busy home life in the English countryside.
Carey Mulligan Biography
Born Carey Hannah Mulligan on May 28, 1985, in Westminster, London, Carey’s early life was marked by a quiet determination to act. The daughter of a hotel manager and a university lecturer, she spent part of her childhood in Germany before returning to the UK.
Despite her parents’ initial disapproval of an acting career, they famously wanted her to attend university, Carey was undeterred. At 16, she wrote to Kenneth Branagh for advice, and at 17, she boldly approached screenwriter Julian Fellowes after a lecture at her school. That persistence paid off when she landed the role of Kitty Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, launching a career that would soon take the world by storm.
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Career
Carey’s career is a study in “quality over quantity.” She skyrocketed to international fame in 2009 with An Education, earning her first Academy Award nomination. Since then, she has become the go-to lead for complex, “difficult” women.
In 2024 and 2025, Carey’s work reached a new level of critical acclaim:
- The Sci-Fi Turn: She starred in the 2024 Netflix drama Spaceman alongside Adam Sandler.
- Award Circuit Dominance: Her portrayal of Felicia Montealegre in Maestro (2023) continued to garner her trophies well into 2024 and 2025.
- The Latest Project: As of early 2026, she is starring in The Ballad of Wallis Island, a comedic drama that has already sparked early festival buzz.
Carey Mulligan Movies
Carey’s filmography is a masterclass in understated power:
- An Education (2009): The film that turned her into a star.
- Never Let Me Go (2010): A devastating sci-fi drama.
- Drive (2011): Her iconic turn as Irene alongside Ryan Gosling.
- The Great Gatsby (2013): Playing the ethereal Daisy Buchanan.
- Promising Young Woman (2020): A career-defining, vengeful performance.
- She Said (2022): Portraying real-life journalist Megan Twohey.
- Maestro (2023): A staggering portrayal of a legendary marriage.
- Spaceman (2024): A quiet, atmospheric look at isolation.
Carey Mulligan Net Worth
As of early 2026, Carey Mulligan’s net worth is estimated at $12 million. While she typically favors smaller, character-driven independent films over big-budget blockbusters, her consistent lead roles and producing credits have built a significant financial foundation. This is separate from the wealth of her husband, Marcus Mumford, with their combined assets including a sprawling farmhouse in Devon.
Family
Family is the “north star” for Carey. She is the younger of two children and remains close to her parents, Stephen and Nano. Carey has spoken extensively about the influence of her grandparents, even exploring her grandfather’s WWII service in the documentary series My Grandparents’ War.
She is a mother to three children: daughter Evelyn Grace (born 2015), son Wilfred (born 2017), and a second daughter (born in late 2023). Carey famously keeps her children entirely out of the spotlight, choosing to raise them far from the cameras in rural England.
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Relationships and History
Carey Mulligan and Shia LaBeouf
One of Carey’s most high-profile early romances was with her Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps co-star Shia LaBeouf. The pair dated from August 2009 to October 2010. Director Oliver Stone famously recalled witnessing their “powerful chemistry” on set. Following their split, Shia praised Carey as a “great human being,” noting that they ultimately wanted different things, Carey was reportedly looking for marriage and a family, while Shia wasn’t ready to settle down.
Carey Mulligan and Tom Sturridge
Following her split from Shia, Carey was briefly linked to actor Tom Sturridge in late 2010. While the relationship was never officially confirmed to be serious, they were spotted together at various events and shared a close-knit circle of friends, including Andrew Garfield and Robert Pattinson. The two remain close friends today and even starred together in the 2015 film Far from the Madding Crowd.
Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford
The story of Carey and Marcus Mumford (frontman of Mumford & Sons) is a real-life fairy tale. The two were childhood pen pals who met at a Christian youth camp but lost touch for years. They reconnected as adults and married in April 2012 on a farm in Somerset. As of early 2026, they are one of Hollywood’s most successful “low-key” couples. Marcus famously surprised her during her Saturday Night Live monologue in 2021, and they continue to support each other’s careers while maintaining a private life in Devon.
Controversies
Carey is rarely the subject of tabloid scandal, but she is known for standing her ground. Her most notable “controversy” arose in 2021 when she publicly called out a Variety critic for a review of Promising Young Woman that she felt focused unfairly on her physical appearance rather than her performance.
In late 2025, she sparked a smaller debate in the industry when she spoke out against the use of AI in screenwriting, stating that it “threatens the soul of storytelling.” While some tech-focused critics disagreed, her stance was widely lauded by the acting and writing community.
Carey Mulligan’s Age and Now
As of early 2026, Carey Mulligan is 40 years old (turning 41 in May). Now, she is embracing her “master” era. With three children at home and a slate of upcoming films, Carey has stated that she is more selective than ever. She continues to reside primarily in the UK, only traveling to the U.S. for major awards ceremonies or filming. In a January 2026 interview, she noted that reaching 40 has brought a sense of “freedom” to play characters who are “finally as complicated as real life.”
Conclusion
Carey Mulligan remains an enigma in an era of over-exposure. By choosing roles that challenge her and a life that protects her peace, she has created a blueprint for a sustainable and meaningful career.
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