Was Joe Wright's first choice to play Elizabeth Bennet in
Pride & Prejudice. The role eventually went to Keira
Knightley, who won an Oscar nomination for her performance. Joe Wright cast
both Keira and Romola in
Atonement, out in December
2007.
Studied English in university.
Romola has said her ideal role would be to play the eighteenth century feminist Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797).
Romola's great-grandfather was Bert Garai, a Hungarian who founded London's Keystone Press Agency. He published his autobiography, The Man From Keystone (1965).
Says some her worst habits including showing off, being really forgetful, and saying the wrong things.
Was brought up in Hong Kong and Singapore until she was 10.
She has three siblings: one brother named Ralph and two sisters named Rosie and Roxy.
Her last name, "Garai", is Hungarian and is pronounced like "Garry".
She had no professional dancing experience before arriving on the set of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
Unusual name is credited as the female version of Romulus, an Italian name for boys.
Director François Ozon (Angel) affectionately calls Romola "his muse".
Was François Ozon's first and only choice for the role of Angel Deverell in Angel.
Favorite movies are The Wizard of Oz, Fargo, and Orlando.
She used to sing in a jazz band
Her proudest work as an actress is Angel.
In her spare time, enjoys cooking and traveling.
Romola once said in an interview that her long term ambitions lie in the direction of directing and writing for the theatre.
Has visited Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta, Venice, Australia, Italy, Belgium and Indonesia.
Real hair color is blonde but she occasionally dyes it in real life and for movie roles.
Romola's nickname at school was "Romster".
Is a huge fan of "The Simpsons". In fact, her favorite TV character of all time is Lisa Simpson.
Cites Mike Leigh, Michael Winterbottom, Ken Loach, The Coen brothers, David Lynch, Todd Haynes as her favorite directors and would love to work with them in the future.
Very good friends with Jamie Bell and Charlie Hunnam, whom she met while filming Nicholas Nickelby.
She lives in London.
