Hayley Atwell has built a versatile film career that spans period dramas, romantic stories, family adventures, superhero blockbusters, and major action franchises. After making her feature-film debut in 2007, she quickly attracted attention through roles in films such as Cassandra’s Dream, Brideshead Revisited, and The Duchess. Her career reached a major turning point in 2011 when she played Peggy Carter in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, a character who became one of her most recognizable screen roles. Atwell subsequently appeared across several Marvel films while continuing to take on projects outside the superhero genre, including Testament of Youth, Christopher Robin, and Blinded by the Light. In the 2020s, she expanded her film work into voice acting and joined the Mission: Impossible franchise as Grace. This guide to Hayley Atwell movies by year covers her officially released feature films in chronological order, including notable cameos and voice performances.
2007 — How About You
How About You was one of Hayley Atwell’s earliest feature-film appearances, released in 2007 and directed by Anthony Byrne. Atwell plays Ellie Harris, a young woman working at a residential care home who becomes part of an unusual group of residents during the Christmas period. The film is a British comedy-drama with a strong emphasis on friendship, aging, loneliness, and personal redemption. It gave Atwell an early opportunity to demonstrate the dramatic and understated qualities that would become important parts of her later career.
2007 — Cassandra’s Dream
Woody Allen’s Cassandra’s Dream was another significant 2007 release in Atwell’s early film career. She plays Angela Stark, the actress girlfriend of Ewan McGregor’s character, Ian Blaine, in a crime drama centered on two brothers whose financial problems lead them toward a dangerous moral decision. The film also stars Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor, with Allen directing and writing the story. Atwell’s role was relatively supporting, but the film placed her alongside an internationally recognized cast at an early stage of her career.
2008 — Brideshead Revisited
In 2008, Atwell appeared as Julia Flyte in Brideshead Revisited, Julian Jarrold’s adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s celebrated novel. The period drama follows Charles Ryder and his complicated relationship with the aristocratic Flyte family, with Atwell portraying Julia as a central figure in the story’s romantic and emotional conflicts. Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, and Emma Thompson also feature in the ensemble cast. The film helped establish Atwell as a strong performer in sophisticated historical and literary dramas.
2008 — The Duchess
Atwell continued her period-drama work in The Duchess, directed by Saul Dibb and released in 2008. She plays Elizabeth “Bess” Foster, a close friend of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, portrayed by Keira Knightley. Ralph Fiennes and Charlotte Rampling are also among the film’s prominent cast members. Combining romance, historical drama, and aristocratic politics, The Duchess gave Atwell another opportunity to work in a lavish period production and further raised her profile in British cinema.
2011 — Captain America: The First Avenger
Atwell’s breakthrough in mainstream cinema came with Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011. Directed by Joe Johnston, the Marvel superhero film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, with Atwell playing Peggy Carter, the British agent who works alongside him during World War II. Peggy is presented as a capable intelligence officer and an important ally to Captain America, giving Atwell a substantial role in the film’s wartime story. The character became closely associated with Atwell and eventually returned in several later Marvel movies.
2012 — I, Anna
In 2012, Atwell appeared in I, Anna, a British-French psychological mystery directed by Barnaby Southcombe. She plays Emmy, a character connected to the film’s investigation into a mysterious murder in London. Charlotte Rampling leads the film, while Gabriel Byrne and Atwell contribute to its tense, atmospheric ensemble. The movie represented a move away from Atwell’s increasingly recognizable period and superhero work into a darker contemporary mystery.
2012 — The Sweeney
Atwell also appeared in the 2012 British action-crime film The Sweeney, directed by Nick Love. She plays Detective Constable Nancy Lewis, working alongside Ray Winstone and Damian Lewis in a story about London’s specialized Flying Squad. The film combines police procedural elements with action, crime, and thriller conventions. It was another opportunity for Atwell to take on a contemporary role rather than a historical character.
2013 — Jimi: All Is by My Side
In 2013, Atwell starred in Jimi: All Is by My Side, a musical biographical drama written and directed by John Ridley. She portrays Kathy Etchingham, the British woman who was closely connected to Jimi Hendrix during his London years, with André Benjamin playing the legendary guitarist. The film focuses on Hendrix’s development and relationships rather than attempting to provide a conventional cradle-to-grave biography. Atwell’s performance was part of a character-driven ensemble that explored the musician’s creative world during a crucial period.
2014 — Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Atwell returned as Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the 2014 Marvel sequel directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Although her appearance is brief, Peggy’s presence is emotionally important to Steve Rogers, who visits her in the present day after decades have passed since the events of the first film. Chris Evans leads the movie alongside Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford. Atwell’s cameo reinforced Peggy’s importance to Captain America’s personal history and helped keep the character connected to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2014 — Testament of Youth
Testament of Youth gave Atwell a prominent dramatic role in a 2014 historical film directed by James Kent. She plays Hope Milroy, a character within the story of Vera Brittain, portrayed by Alicia Vikander, whose life is profoundly affected by World War I. The film also stars Kit Harington, Colin Morgan, Taron Egerton, and Dominic West. Based on Brittain’s memoir, the movie combines romance and coming-of-age drama with a serious portrayal of the effects of war on an entire generation.
2015 — Cinderella
Atwell appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s live-action Cinderella in 2015 as Cinderella’s mother. Although the role is limited because the character dies early in the story, her presence establishes the loving family background of Lily James’s Cinderella. The fantasy romance also features Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, and Derek Jacobi. Disney’s lavish adaptation became a major family-film release and demonstrated Atwell’s ability to move comfortably between contemporary, historical, and fantasy productions.
2015 — Avengers: Age of Ultron
Atwell returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015 and directed by Joss Whedon. She appears as Peggy Carter in a brief sequence involving Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, as the film explores his memories and emotional connection to his past. The ensemble includes Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel L. Jackson. Although Peggy’s appearance is small, it is notable because Atwell’s character remained an important part of Steve Rogers’ story throughout the MCU.
2015 — Ant-Man
Atwell also made a brief cameo as Peggy Carter in Ant-Man, the 2015 Marvel superhero film directed by Peyton Reed. Her appearance connects the movie to the broader Marvel continuity and gives viewers another glimpse of Peggy within the organization’s history. Paul Rudd stars as Scott Lang, with Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll in major roles. Atwell’s contribution is a cameo rather than a substantial supporting performance, but it remains part of her officially released feature-film work.
2018 — Christopher Robin
After several years dominated by Marvel appearances, Atwell returned to a major family feature with Christopher Robin in 2018. Directed by Marc Forster, the live-action/animation hybrid stars Ewan McGregor as the adult Christopher Robin, while Atwell plays his wife, Evelyn Robin. The story brings the characters from A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books into a modern setting as Christopher reconnects with Pooh and his childhood friends. Atwell’s role adds an emotional family dimension to the fantasy adventure, which blends live-action performances with beloved animated characters.
2019 — Blinded by the Light
Atwell appeared in Gurinder Chadha’s 2019 coming-of-age musical drama Blinded by the Light. She plays Ms. Clay, a teacher who recognizes the potential of Javed, a British-Pakistani teenager whose life is transformed by the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen. The film mixes comedy, family drama, music, and social themes against the backdrop of 1980s Britain. Atwell’s supporting performance contributes to the story’s portrayal of teachers and other adults who encourage young people to pursue their ambitions.
2019 — Avengers: Endgame
Atwell’s Peggy Carter returned in Avengers: Endgame, the 2019 Marvel epic directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Her appearance is brief but especially meaningful because Steve Rogers’ long-standing feelings for Peggy become central to the conclusion of his story. The film features a huge ensemble including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner. Avengers: Endgame became one of the defining blockbuster releases of its era and gave Atwell’s character an important emotional connection to the conclusion of Steve Rogers’ MCU journey.
2021 — Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
In 2021, Atwell expanded her film work into voice acting with Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway. Directed by Will Gluck, the family comedy-adventure follows Peter and his friends as they leave the familiar garden and encounter new problems beyond their home. Atwell provides the voice of Mittens, joining a cast that includes James Corden, Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and David Oyelowo. Her performance is therefore a voice role rather than a conventional on-screen appearance.
2022 — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Atwell returned to Marvel in 2022 with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, directed by Sam Raimi. She plays Captain Carter, an alternate-universe version of Peggy Carter who exists in Earth-838 and is part of the Illuminati. Benedict Cumberbatch leads the superhero adventure as Doctor Strange, with Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong among the main cast. The film’s multiverse storyline allowed Atwell to portray a significantly different version of the character she had played throughout earlier Marvel films.
2023 — Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Atwell entered a major non-Marvel action franchise with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in 2023. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and introduces Atwell as Grace, a skilled and mysterious thief who becomes deeply involved in Ethan’s mission. The movie combines espionage, action, thriller, and large-scale stunt sequences as Hunt attempts to stop a powerful artificial intelligence threat. Grace quickly became one of the film’s key characters and marked an important new phase in Atwell’s blockbuster career.
2024 — The Imaginary
The Imaginary is an animated fantasy feature directed by Yoshiyuki Momose and produced by Studio Ponoc. The original Japanese film premiered in 2023, while Atwell appears in the official English international version released worldwide in 2024, voicing Lizzie. The story follows an imaginary friend named Rudger and explores imagination, memory, friendship, loss, and the mysterious world inhabited by forgotten imaginary companions. Studio Ponoc officially announced Atwell as part of the English-language cast before the film’s worldwide Netflix launch in July 2024.
2024 — Paddington in Peru
Atwell appeared as Madison in Paddington in Peru, the third feature in the popular Paddington film series. Directed by Dougal Wilson, the family adventure follows Paddington as he travels to Peru with the Brown family to visit Aunt Lucy, only for the trip to turn into a larger mystery. The film features Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Julie Walters, with Atwell in a supporting live-action role. The movie premiered in London in November 2024 and received its wider international releases afterward, making 2024 another active year in Atwell’s film career.
2025 — Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Atwell reprised her role as Grace in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, released in 2025. Christopher McQuarrie directed the action-adventure thriller, which once again stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt alongside Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, and other returning cast members. Grace remains closely connected to Ethan’s efforts as the story brings another chapter of the long-running IMF saga to the screen. Paramount lists Atwell among the film’s principal cast and identifies the movie as a 2025 action, adventure, and thriller production.
2025 — Grand Prix of Europe
Atwell also lent her voice to the animated family adventure Grand Prix of Europe in 2025. Directed by Waldemar Fast, the film follows Edda, a young mouse who dreams of becoming a racing champion and disguises herself as a famous racing driver to enter a major competition. Atwell is part of the English-language voice cast alongside Gemma Arterton, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Lenny Henry, and Rob Beckett. This is a voice performance rather than a live-action role, adding another animated feature to Atwell’s filmography.
Conclusion
Hayley Atwell’s movie career has developed from early British dramas into major international productions and franchise filmmaking. Her early roles in How About You, Cassandra’s Dream, Brideshead Revisited, and The Duchess established her as a capable performer in character-driven films before Marvel transformed her profile through Peggy Carter. She has since balanced superhero appearances with historical dramas, family movies, animation, and action franchises. Her work as Grace in the Mission: Impossible films has added another major blockbuster character to her résumé, while voice roles such as Peter Rabbit 2, The Imaginary, and Grand Prix of Europe have broadened her range. Looking across Hayley Atwell movies by year, her filmography shows a career built on variety, strong supporting performances, memorable franchise characters, and a willingness to move between very different genres.
